Woodstock and Blenheim Palace Woodstock Literary Festival – and the Joy of Books
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In association with Blenheim Palace Oxfordshire 9 – 12 October 2008 The Water Terraces at Blenheim Palace The Independent Welcome to Woodstock and Blenheim Palace Woodstock Literary Festival – and the joy of books. The Independent newspaper is delighted to partner the 2008 Woodstock Literary Festival, not just for the chance it gives to This year our festival really takes off, for luxuriate in the splendour of Blenheim Palace and its magnificent grounds, but because newspapers and literary festivals The Independent and The Independent on Sunday are natural bedfellows. join us to bring you a galaxy of literary stars. Both offer the reading public access to some of the finest minds and creative intelligences of the age. Both can (if they’re Come and listen to Martin Bell, David Cameron, done properly) cover important subjects, from Fauvism to fundamentalism, in ways that are accessible without becoming Robert Fisk, Robert Hardy, Richard Holmes, Elizabeth Jane Howard, Howard Jacobson, Alex James, PD trivial. Both can bring intelligent new perspectives to lighter subjects, whether food or fashion. And both can call on a richly James, Anne Leslie, Adam Nicolson, Rose Prince, diverse stable of experts to interview and confront significant figures from public life. Sarah Raven, Simon Schama, Kate Summerscale, Woodstock is unashamedly a world class literary festival, devoted to the proposition that the literary arts are the key to civil- Henrietta Spencer-Churchill and others who will offer isation, and the repository of the wisdom of ages. But just as modern books pages can accommodate many more subjects you new insights into books and life. than literature and the humanities, this festival will cast its net wide across the worlds of ideas, history, politics, the arts and Blenheim Palace and historic Woodstock make a entertainment, and gather them together into the luxurious corral of Blenheim Palace and the historic venues in uniquely enhancing setting for our literary festival. Woodstock, for the edification of thousands of book fans (and, we sincerely hope, Independent fans) from Oxford to Oxted. For over 300 years the magnificent Blenheim Palace And when you finish being edified, we hope to see you regaling yourselves in the fabulous pubs, restaurants and teashops has been intimately involved with the cultural, artistic, of Woodstock, and buying books with a new enthusiasm and zeal. There are few convergences in life more guaranteed to political and military history of Great Britain. And the adjoining market town of Woodstock is one of the most bring pleasure than the union of wine and words. We are sure this year will be the beginning of a long, happy and fruitful beautiful and civilised communities in England. relationship. Come and spend a relaxing and stimulating weekend, for there will be much to enjoy and digest. We’ll be Simon Kelner here to welcome you. Managing Director Sally Dunsmore & Editor-in-Chief Festival Director The Independent The Independent Woodstock Literary Festival 2 3 Patrons and sponsors Patrons We should like to thank the following for their His Grace the Duke generous support of the festival: of Marlborough Felicity Bryan Title Sponsor Regional Media Sponsor Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP The Independent The Oxford Times David Freeman Blenheim Palace Festival Directors Frank Collingwood FCA, CTA Sally Dunsmore When war broke out in Europe, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Jill Dunsmore Blenheim Palace Blackwell Matthew Morgan Marlborough, a military genius, was chosen as leader of the allied troops. During 1702 and 1703 Marlborough defended Creative Consultant Holland from invasion from the French. In 1704 a decisive Godfrey Howard battle took place near a small village called Blindheim, Special Advisor Blenheim as it is now, where Marlborough won a great allied Tony Byrne Social UK The Bear Hotel victory over the forces of Louis X1V. In reward, Queen Box Office Manager Anne granted Marlborough the Royal Manor of Woodstock Nick Manby-Brown and signified that she would build him there a house to be Green Room Managers called Blenheim. Sir John Vanbrugh was appointed to design City Audio Visual Rachel Byrne Blenheim Palace and Capability Brown landscaped the park Leslee Holderness Waterford Crystal Cox & Kings creating the great lake over which Vanbrugh’s Grand Bridge Dinner Co-ordinator Daisies Flower Shop now stands. Alex Simmons Harriet’s Tea Rooms Blenheim Palace is one of the largest finest private houses in Festival Chauffeur Jaan Indian Restaurant England, a world heritage site set in 2100 acres of parkland. Les Reed Ian and Carol Sellars La Galleria Its stunning Formal Gardens include the Italian Garden, Programme Designer St Mary Magdalene Church the Water Terraces, Rose Garden, Arboretum and Maze. Social UK Woodstock Library It is home to the 11th Duke of Marlborough and was the Publicity Woodstock’s Own birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill who was born in 1874. Tei Williams Press and Literary Festivals Ltd is a non-profit making Guided tours of the Palace run throughout most of the season Arts Marketing company limited by guarantee. Registered office 69–71 Oxford Street, and “Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story” tells the story of We should also like to thank all the voluntary festival stewards Woodstock, Oxon OX20 1TJ the last 300 years through the eyes of the servants. for their time and generous support throughout the festival. Company number 5519204 4 The formal gardens at Blenheim Palace Great Court at Blenheim Palace 5 The Programme Thursday 9 October Blenheim Palace 2 Robert Fox with Joanna David Special Offers to Festival Visitors 1 Howard Jacobson and Robert Hardy 3 Literary Pub Quiz The Act of Love Eyewitness to History The Woodstock Arms / 9.00pm / Free The Bear Hotel / 4.30pm / £7.00 St Mary Magdalene Church / 6.30pm / £7.00 Come to the Woodstock Arms and see Celebrated novelist Howard Jacobson talks Journalist and historian Robert Fox has Woodstock Town take on The Independent. with The Independent’s John Walsh about edited Eyewitness to History. These four With columnists John Walsh and Simon adultery in his new novel The Act of Love. fascinating volumes tell the story of O’Hagan, Suzi Feay, Literary Editor of Described as a tour de force by Harold our world in the words of those who The Independent on Sunday, and author Pinter, The Act of Love is a story about experienced it; from Pliny the Younger DJ Taylor. sexual obsession. Shocking, unashamedly describing the eruption of Vesuvius in 78 perverse, mordantly funny, and at the last AD through to John Updike, nearly four It promises to be challenging, competitive heartbreaking, The Act of Love tackles one millennia later, watching the Twin Towers and good fun. Quizmaster will be Marcus of the last taboos of erotic life. collapse. Many of the passages are justly Berkmann, editor of the Prince of Wales Blenheim Palace from the courtyard famous, such as Walt Whitman’s powerful Quiz Book. And enjoy a free glass of wine Sponsored by account of the assassination of Abraham with The Independent. Lincoln or Samuel Pepys writing as the Visit during the Christmas Great Fire ravages London. Listen to actors celebrations Visit Blenheim Palace Today General Information Joanna David and Robert Hardy as they read these personal accounts of key moments in ‘The Spirit of Christmas: past, present and future’ Visit the Palace and Formal Gardens whilst at Opening Times. The Palace, Park and Formal world history offering us the chance to hear the festival. Gardens are open daily until 3 November. history’s voices. Visit the Christmas events at Blenheim Palace From 5 November to 14 December the Palace between 15 November and 14 December For a supplement of: and Formal Gardens are closed on Mondays and (closed Monday and Tuesday), show your Adult £7.00 OAP £6.20 Child £5.20 Tuesdays. The Park is open all year except on literary festival ticket and receive 2 for 1 entry. You can up grade your ticket to visit the Palace Christmas Day. Terms and Conditions: Only valid for visits to and Formal Gardens. The Park opens at 9.00am, Formal Gardens at Palace, Park and Gardens. One free entry when 10.00am and the first Palace tour is at 10.30am. one person pays the full adult low season single To purchase an upgrade, show your festival ticket at the Clock Tower before the Great Court. Last entry to the Park and Palace is at 4.45pm. day rate. Not valid with any other promotion or The Palace closes at 5.30pm and the Park and special entry ticket. Gardens close at 6.00pm. During the closed Voucher: VO8087 season, the Park opens at 9.00am and closes at 4.45pm or dusk. Visit www.blenheimpalace.com for details to Christmas events. Website www.blenheimpalace.com Telephone 08700 60 20 80 Woodstock Woodstock Woodstock 7 6 Friday 10 October Friday 10 October 4 Henrietta Spencer-Churchill 5 David Cameron talks to Simon Kelner 6 Sarah Raven’s Complete Christmas Georgian Style and Design for Cameron on Cameron Food & Flowers Contemporary Living Blenheim Palace, The Orangery Blenheim Palace, The Marlborough Room / 11.30am / £8.00 12.45pm / £10.00 / Includes a glass of wine Blenheim Palace, The Marlborough Room 10.15am / £10.00 In one of the most unpredictable and Sarah Raven guides us through the festive Includes tea / coffee and homemade cakes served turbulent periods of post war British history, season and the build up to Christmas with between 9.45am and 10.15am David Cameron was elected Leader of the her stunning collection of recipes and flower Henrietta Spencer-Churchill brings the Conservative Party in December 2005. projects, the result of Sarah Raven’s years practical comfort of 21st century living to After three years of party leadership, and of experience in the garden and kitchen the elegant and timeless classical proportions only seven years as a Member of Parliament, as she created memorable Christmas of 18th century design in this stunningly David Cameron is now widely seen as the seasons for her family.