The Wells Festival of Literature is back this October with a dynamic and diverse programme featuring some of the most prominent voices in literature, politics, and culture.

From thought-provoking talks to engaging discussions, this year's festival promises a week of rich literary experiences and stimulating conversations.

This year's festival promises a rich blend of literature, discussion, and entertainment, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Friday, 18 October 2024

On Friday, the festival will kick off with Susie Dent discussing "Interesting Stories about Curious Words" at 6.00 pm in conversation with David Lister. Following that, Shami Chakrabarti will delve into "Human Rights" with Rachel Holmes at 7.45 pm.

Saturday, 19 October 2024

The day will begin with Grace Blakeley talking about "Vulture Capitalism" with George Miller at 10.30 am. Des Fitzgerald will explore "The City of Today is a Dying Thing" at 12.15 pm with David Lister. In the afternoon, A.C. Grayling will present "Who Owns the Moon?" at 2.00 pm, followed by Pam Ayres sharing her poetry at 3.45 pm. Later, Adam Smyth will discuss "The Book Makers" at 5.30 pm, and John O'Farrell will talk about "Family Politics" with George Miller at 7.30 pm.

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Sunday, 20 October 2024

Sunday features Dr Rachel Clarke presenting "The Story of a Heart" in conversation with Dr Lucy Pollock at 12.00 pm. At 2.30 pm, Cecile Pin will host a Book Group Event for "Wandering Souls." Andrew Ziminski will discuss "Church Going" with Christopher Somerville at 4.15 pm, followed by Louise Minchin exploring "Isolation Island" with Lucinda Hawksley at 6.00 pm. The day will conclude with the Literary Quiz at The Swan Wells at 7.30 pm.

Monday, 21 October 2024

Diarmaid MacCulloch will present "Lower than the Angels" at 6.00 pm. Later, Marianna Spring will discuss "Among the Trolls" with Jo Durrant at 7.45 pm.

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Petroc Trelawny will host a Literary Lunch Event discussing "Trelawny's Cornwall" with Christopher Somerville at 2.00 pm. Vernon Bogdanor will present "Making the Weather" at 4.15 pm. Gillian Clarke will discuss "The Silence" at 6.00 pm, and Kate Hext will explore "Wilde in the Dream Factory" at 7.45 pm.

Jonathan Dimbleby

Wednesday, 23 October 2024

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Wednesday begins with Jonathan Dimbleby presenting "Endgame 1944" in conversation with William Waldegrave during a Literary Lunch Event at 2.00 pm. Zeinab Badawai will discuss "An African History of Africa" with Lucinda Hawksley at 6.00 pm. The evening will conclude with Benji Waterhouse exploring "You Don't Have to Be Mad to Work Here" with Richard Mainwaring at 7.45 pm.

Thursday, 24 October 2024

Martin Sixsmith will present "My Sins Go with Me" at 4.15 pm. Jon Cruddas will discuss "A Century of Labour" with George Miller at 6.00 pm. David Horspool will explore "More than a Game" with Stephen Moss at 7.45 pm.

Friday, 25 October 2024

Friday begins with Competitions Poetry Readings and Prize Giving at 10.00 am. Geoffrey Wheatcroft will discuss "Bloody Panico!" with William Waldegrave during a Literary Lunch Event at 2.00 pm. Alexandra Harris will present "The Rising Down: Lives in a Sussex Landscape" with Sarah LeFanu at 4.30 pm. Michael Taylor will discuss "Impossible Monsters" with Adam Rutherford at 6.15 pm. The day concludes with Bendor Grosvenor exploring "The Invention of British Art" at 8.00 pm.

Sophie Grigson (File photo)

Saturday, 26 October 2024

The final day features Sophie Grigson discussing "Exploding Tomatoes and Other Stories" with Caroline Waldegrave at 10.30 am. Christopher Harding will present "The Light of Asia" with Adam Rutherford at 12.15 pm. Harriet Wistrich will discuss "Sister in Law" with Baroness Hale at 2.00 pm. Jonathan Coe will explore "The Proof of My Innocence" with Sarah LeFanu at 3.45 pm. John Suchet will present "In Search of Beethoven" at 5.30 pm, and Paul Sinha will discuss "One Sinha Lifetime" with George Miller at 7.15 pm.

The full programme for the festival is now available on the festival's website, where attendees can start planning their visits and book their tickets.

Priority booking for Friends of the Festival starts at 9.30 am on Monday, 29 July, with general booking opening at 9.30 am on Monday, 5 August. This year, the festival is offering a special deal: 11 tickets for the price of 10.