on son e cher on enningt err owland Smith Ander d Holloway ey agnusson aul Flet aul atrick Bade atrick achel Joyc P P Philip Collins Mimi Mimi R Mick H Mick Richar obert Rly M Michael P Michael sse R eay Contini ry Ma arie-Elsa Bragg arie-Elsa Sal M ennan Sarah Dunnak Mo te Ka Sarah R une Sarpong une J urray Simon GrMayo udy M udy J usa Simon T ohn ohn J Stephen McGann J ohn Crace ohn Tim Dowling J oe Shut oe e Tim Marshall J oe Dunthorne oe Tony r Je Williams emy emy Trine H J enni M enni V ine AC ahnemann H Grayling elen P elen Alan H urray Alastair Campbell arriet H arriet May 6th – April 26th F T 2018 Festival Andr aylor Book Hexham iona Shaw iona F ankhur Angus Ro Evan Davis Evan iona M iona Caitlin Davies Elizabeth Day Elizabeth Charlott Dhar Chris Mullin David Stark ew Michael H arman st ozley shini David shini xbur e P gh eacock urley ey If you’re perplexed by Brexit, troubled by Trump and galled by gender inequality, the Hexham Book Festival can help you make sense of it all. There’ll be books unspooling our fast-paced global politics, a forensic examination of the part the US dollar plays in all our lives, a look at our bellicose bear of a neighbour, Russia, past and present, spy novels unearthing the secrets of the Intelligence Services, and a dizzying re-evaluation of the Reformation, our first real dust up with Europe. If your head’s reeling, seek solace in the wit of the divine Muriel Spark, the gentle wisdom of Nan Shepherd, wise words from veteran politicians Harriet Harman and Chris Mullin, and the world explained through the lens of twenty one remarkable women. If fiction is your escape, we’ve got rural noir, urban chic and historic thrillers. Or you could just learn how to keep bees and retreat, like Voltaire, into your garden. But remember to take a book with you. This year you will be able to buy all your tickets online – including special offers; buy tickets to 4 events and receive a 15% discount – see P2 for details. Harriet Harman Evan Davis Judy Murray Tim Dowling © Chris Floyd © Marc Atkins © Sam Riley Our media partner for 2018: Hexham Book Festival is a Community Interest Company working in partnership with Queen’s Hall Arts. Box Office T: 01434 652 477 www.queenshall.co.uk VENUES TICKET INFORMATION THURSDAY 26TH APRIL We are working in partnership with the following Tickets for events can be booked directly venues in 2018 and are extremely grateful for through the Queen’s Hall Box Office on 1pm-3pm Sarah Dunnakey their support: 01434 652477, or book online at Writing Workshop – Developing Characters www.queenshall.co.uk Queen’s Hall Arts One of New Writing North's Read Regional authors, Sarah’s writing is Beaumont Street, Hexham, NE46 3LS Buy more tickets and get a discount: When you inspired by historical artefacts. In this practical workshop, an eclectic Theatre, Library and White Room buy tickets to 4 events you will receive 15% off – collection of historical gems will serve as prompts to help you create www.queenshall.co.uk excluding workshops, demos and existing offers. and develop characters and stories set in the past or the present day. Beaumont Hotel Queen’s Hall Hexham library will be hosting an author talk with Sarah at 6.30pm. Beaumont Street, Hexham, NE46 3LT Beaumont Street Full details found at www.eventbrite.co.uk www.thebeaumonthexham.co.uk Hexham White Room, Queen’s Hall | £16 – limited to 12 places. Linnels Farm NE46 3LS Hexham, NE46 1TS Opening Hours: Supported by Read Regional. www.linnelsfarm.com Monday – Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm Robinson-Gay Gallery Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm 3A Market Street, Hexham, NE46 3NS www.robinsongay.co.uk Our Work Across Northumberland, supported by Northumberland County Council, encourages the development and support of literature The Vault Concessions and writing activity providing opportunities of participation for people Haslam’s of Hallgate Gallery, Our concession tickets are available to Friends of all ages. We work with schools, libraries, communities and other 22-24 Hallgate, Hexham, NE46 1XD of the Festival, those on benefits and students. organisations throughout the year bringing authors to the county www.tynedalefineartproducts.co.uk offering a range of workshops and activities. EVERYONE WELCOME THANKS Queen’s Hall welcomes visitors with disabilities BBC Newcastle and aims to ensure that your visit is safe and The Biscuit Factory enjoyable, providing disabled access to all public The Beaumont Hotel areas of the building with ramps, automatic doors, Caroline Beck disabled toilet facilities and lifts. Hearing loop Chromazone Digital Imaging Cogito Books facilities are available throughout the auditorium Fentimans and balcony. Please ask at the Box Office for more Gillian Dickinson Trust details. If you require help, please contact Queen’s Haslams of Hallgate Hall in advance. Companions of wheelchair users Ingram AV Ltd. may attend events free of charge. Guide dogs are New Writing North welcome in all areas of the building. Nicholson Portnell Solicitors Northumbria University Parabola Patricia J Arnold & Co Ltd. Subscribe Potts To subscribe to our enewsletter for updates from the Queen's Hall Arts Hexham Book Festival and information about one- Red Hot Property off events, visit www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk Robinson-Gay Gallery The Roundhouse Contact Us If you have any questions or would like to make a suggestion about the festival, please send an Designed by email to [email protected] Follow us @hexhambookfest facebook.com/hexhambookfestival www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk 02/03 FRIDAY 27TH APRIL 10am-11am Trine Hahnemann Open Sandwiches Danish chef Trine Hahnemann used to eat open sandwiches or smørrebrød with her grandfather on the beach when she was a child, and the delight has never left her. The open sandwich can be adapted to all tastes, so join Trine as she talks about how to create simple meals which are always more than just bread and butter. Chaired by Anna Hedworth, The Grazer (the-grazer.blogspot.com) and Cook House (cookhouse.org). Theatre, Queen’s Hall | £8/£6 Special ticket offer: Enjoy both Trine and Mary's events followed by soup, sandwich and a glass of wine at Beaumont Hotel for £26/£22 11.30am-12.30pm Mary Contini Dear Alfonso: An Italian Feast of Love and Laughter The third part of Mary Contini’s acclaimed trilogy about her Scottish-Italian family, picking up the thread of her family’s roots in pre-war Naples, sharing stories of familial relationships and mouth-watering food. Mary is the director of the famous Edinburgh delicatessen, restaurant and cookery school, Valvona & Crolla. Chaired by Anna Hedworth. Theatre, Queen’s Hall | £8/£6 Special ticket offer: Enjoy both Trine and Mary's events followed by soup, sandwich and a glass of wine at Beaumont Hotel for £26/£22 1.30pm-3.00pm Trine Hahnemann Cookery Demonstration at Linnels Farm Discover the unwritten rules of smørrebrød and the history of many a delicious Danish meal as Trine shares her traditions and encourages more people to enjoy a piece of unique Danish gastronomy on super- healthy, tasty rye bread. Learn about different smørrebrøds for every season and each mood, from savoury to sweet. Linnels Farm, Linnels Bank, Hexham, NE46 1TS | £25 – limited places. Box Office T: 01434 652 477 www.queenshall.co.uk www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk 04/05 FRIDAY 27TH APRIL (CONTINUED) SATURDAY 28TH APRIL 6.30pm-7.30pm A.C. Grayling 11am-12.30pm Mary Contini Democracy and its Crisis Cookery Demonstration at Linnels Farm Is democracy threatened by authoritarian world leaders and the rise Best-selling author and director of the famous delicatessen and wine of populism? Following the Brexit vote and a tumultuous first year of the merchant, Valvona & Crolla, grew up in an Italian family on top of a fish Trump presidency, philosopher, writer and broadcaster A.C. Grayling & chip and ice cream shop. argues that democracy is caught between a commitment to vox populi, and a desire for humane government. Immersed in a vibrant family life she learned to prepare authentic Italian food using the best local and seasonal ingredients from an early age. ‘A compelling and deeply unsettling dissection of the way in which Join her for a fun packed demonstration of her favourite dishes with tips democratic principles have been subverted by vested interests in the on how to feed a family, eat well and make a perfect risotto! UK and the USA. This book shows that democracy can only be defended if we first understand how it is being attacked.’ (Nick Clegg, former Deputy A great entertainer you will not be disappointed. Prime Minister) Linnels Farm, Linnels Bank, Hexham, NE46 1TS | £30 – limited places. Theatre, Queen’s Hall | £9/£7 12pm-1pm Marie-Elsa Bragg Towards Mellbreak 8pm-9pm Set in a Cumbrian farming landscape under threat from outside forces, this poetic novel traces the lives of one family as they struggle to keep Jeremy Vine themselves afloat. Marie-Elsa Bragg is the Duty Chaplain of Westminster Abbey and daughter of Melvyn Bragg. This debut novel is both a hymn What I learnt, what my listeners say to the Northern landscape, and a reflection on the values of a disappearing and why we should take notice way of life. Chaired by Jacqui Hodgson. Theatre, Queen’s Hall | £8/£6 Jeremy Vine has been presenting his BBC Radio 2 show since 2003 and calculates that he has taken more than 25,000 calls on topical subjects – on issues big and small: from life and love to lollipop ladies and poisonous 1.30pm-2.30pm Tim Dowling plants.