What Happened at the Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival in 2022?
At the inaugural Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival in November 2022, story-lovers were treated to six hour-long informal talks that took place throughout the day in Dulverton Town Hall, given by bestselling authors and writers on a variety of topics such as politics and drama, rugby, psychology, historical, romantic and crime fiction, food and wine, yoga and writing for children.
Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival 2022 Programme
Norman Scott discussed his memoir An Accidental Icon, looking back at his life and his much-documented turbulent relationship with 1970’s Liberal politician Jeremy Thorpe.
MasterChef judge and restaurant critic William Sitwell, one of Britain’s leading food writers, discussed the history of food, including the problems associated with feeding Britain during WWII – so topical today.
Political journalist and Times columnist Alice Thomson presents the popular interview series podcast Past Imperfect. At the festival she discussed her accompanying book with travel editor Miranda Taylor – What I Wish I’d Known When I Was Young, a superb illuminating study of famous, successful people and their often hard beginnings in life.
Sunday Times bestselling authors Veronica Henry The Impulse Purchase, Katherine Webb The Disappearance and Dulverton’s own Kate Lord Brown The Perfume Garden chatted together on the stage with Poppy Flaxman, Manager of Waterstones Barnstaple. They discussed what brings them inspiration and the highs and lows of writing romantic, historical and crime fiction.
The UK’s most respected rugby union correspondent, Rob Kitson, was interviewed onstage by South West rugby legend, Chris Bentley, about all things rugby, and particularly Rob’s bestseller Exe Men: The Extraordinary Rise of Exeter Chiefs.
There was even an opportunity for a brief seated yoga meditation therapy session with Colin Dunsmuir, writer and a leading voice in the global yoga community which was offered free of charge to festival goers at lunchtime.
For families, children and animal lovers… award-winning children’s author Claire Barker chatted about her popular books featuring animals, including the much-loved ghost dog Knitbone Pepper. Claire was in conversation with Exmoor farmer and author Victoria Eveleigh who has written several books with horses and ponies as a central theme, including the Katy’s Ponies series.
Festival Children’s Writing Competition 2022
The winner and runners up of the Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival Writing Competition 2022 were announced on stage by the competition’s judge, historical fiction author Kate Lord Brown. There had been 22 entries from children right across the area and Kate judged the winner to be Orla Scandrett, age 8, with her story ‘The Hungry Deer’. The runners up were Thomas Hill, age 7, and Kirsty Tyrrell, age 10.
Click here to read Orla’s winning story.
(L to R) Children’s author Claire Barker, competition winner Orla Scandrett, children’s author Victoria Eveleigh and author Kate Lord Brown.
Praise for the Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival 2022
A capacity audience for Norman Scott
Author and speaker WS – “Yesterday’s programme was a triumph!”
Author and speaker RK – “It was an honour to be a small part of your inaugural festival.”
Author and speaker VH – “I just wanted to say a huge thank you for asking me to take part in the first Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival, and to congratulate you. The atmosphere was so warm and inviting and the audience – our audience, at least! – were so attentive and interested. And bought so many books, which they don’t always! So hats off to you for a brilliant event, and in particular the outstanding brownies [in the Green Room]. You’ve set the bar high.”
Author and speaker VE – “It was by far the best organised festival I’ve attended as an author. Your communication beforehand was very reassuring.”
Author and speaker KLB – “Such a pleasure to speak at this event. Congratulations on its success – hope you’ll do it again!”
Author and speaker NS – “I just wanted to thank you and your super helpers for your great kindness to me on Sunday; it was by far the best festival I have been to. So lovely to be back on Exmoor.”
Author and speaker KW – “Thanks so much for the invite! I hope you’ll do it again next year, and I’m sure if you do it’ll just get bigger and better!”
