Barkway Literary Festival

Saturday 4th October 2025

The Barkway LitFest provides a forum for bibliophiles, thinkers and aesthetes from across East Anglia to learn from authors and artists from within the creative world.

Tickets are priced at £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children.

Or book the whole day.

Take away a signed book/s. A special offer on the day…each single ticket can be fully redeemed against any purchase/s over £20

Want to participate in multiple events? Our day ticket gives you the flexibility to drop in and out of all the events throughout the day. With 11 author presentations, this is a great value ticket that gives you the flexibility to know you won’t miss any of the days activities.

Adults may accompany children free of charge to the children’s author events, but must book a ticket. 

Barkway Literary Festival

Village Hall Author Events:

Dr John Firth, Roger Protz, Kate Bradbury, Nic Wilson, Ben Aitken, Gareth Russell, Rory Clements & Helen Thomas

Children's Events in the Pavilion:

Gillian McClure, Dr Matthew Bothwell, Rachel & Paul Lawston, Laura Noakes & Kay Blayney

Barkway Literary Festival

Barkway Literary Festival

Saturday 4th October 2025

The Barkway LitFest provides a forum for bibliophiles, thinkers and aesthetes from across East Anglia to learn from authors and artists from within the creative world.

Tickets are priced at £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children.

Or book the whole day.

Take away a signed book/s. A special offer on the day…each single ticket can be fully redeemed against any purchase/s over £20

Want to participate in multiple events? Our day ticket gives you the flexibility to drop in and out of all the events throughout the day. With 11 author presentations, this is a great value ticket that gives you the flexibility to know you won’t miss any of the days activities.

Adults may accompany children free of charge to the children’s author events, but must book a ticket. 

Village Hall Author Events:

Dr John Firth, Roger Protz, Kate Bradbury, Nic Wilson, Ben Aitken, Gareth Russell, Rory Clements & Helen Thomas

Children's Events in the Pavilion:

Gillian McClure, Dr Matthew Bothwell, Rachel & Paul Lawston, Laura Noakes & Kay Blayney

Village Hall Author Events:

10:00am

Dr John Firth

At the Village Hall

JDr John FirthKind & Sensible

Deputy Medical Director and Responsible Officer at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Consultant Nephrologist and Director of Clinical Studies for Clinical Medicine. Senior Editor of the Oxford Textbook of Medicine. Cambridge University Press syndic.

How is end of life care perceived in the UK? Via his novel, Kind & Sensible, John is prompting discussion around end-of-life care, especially at this time of overflowing Emergency Departments and the debate around assisted dying. Are the public’s expectations in tune with reality? Can we restore trust between doctors and patients?

11:30am

Roger Protz

At the Village Hall

Roger ProtzAle City: St Albans Beer History & Remarkable Pubs

The former editor of CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide and founder and former Chairman of the British Guide of Beer Writers. Glenfiddich Drink Writer of the Year 1997 and 2004.

Author of multiple books on pubs and breweries, Roger’s new book deals with the rich diversity of pubs in St Albans – currently the city with the most such establishments in the UK, no less than fifty. In addition he will talk about the other local pubs and breweries… partly in tribute to fellow expert Martyn Cornell who died in June and had agreed to discuss his recent book, Breweries in Hertfordshire, at this festival.

Buntingford Brewery – From Therfield will be present selling their beer, with a free prize draw for attendees at this talk.

1:00pm

Kate Bradbury & Nic Wilson

At the Village Hall

Kate BradburyKate Bradbury – One garden against the world

Expert on wildlife gardening. Presenter on BBC TV’s Gardeners’ World and panellist on Gardeners’ Question Time. Guardian Country Diary columnist and wildlife editor at Gardener’s World magazine.

Kate’s own new garden prioritises biodiversity, positively meeting the threat of climate change in a call to action by us all. People’s Book Prize for Non-Fiction and finalist in the Garden Media Guild Awards.

Nic WilsonNic Wilson – Land beneath the waves

Writer and speaker on the natural world. Guardian country diarist, RHS feature writer, editor and writer for Gardeners’ World magazine, horticulturalist, contributor to anthologies.

Nic’s memoir exploring nature’s benefits for health and wellbeing, especially in chronic disease – via moving and detailed observations, principally derived from the chalk landscape and wildlife of her native Hertfordshire.

Anthology contributor:

Under the Changing Skies: Going to Ground: Moving Mountains: Women on Nature

2:30pm

Ben Aitken

At the Village Hall

Ben AikenSh*tty Breaks

A Celebration of Unsung Cities. Freelance author, speaker, lecturer. Brilliantly observed, humorous travel writing – featured in the Guardian, the Daily Mail, the Times, the Independent newspaper, the Telegraph etc.

Through a series of books Ben has both followed in the footsteps of Bill Bryson, temporarily moved to Poland to understand why everyone was leaving, been on six package coach holidays with the older generation, lived with an 84 year old landlady throughout lockdown, explore the serious business of having a laugh. Now, extols a dozen unlikely destinations for a UK city break. ‘Cheeky weekend in Milton Keynes anyone?’

Earlier titles: The Gran Tour: A Chip Shop in Poznan: Marmalade Diaries: Dear Bill Bryson: Here Comes the Fun

 

4:00pm

Gareth Russell

At the Village Hall

Gareth RussellQueen James: The Life & Loves Of Britain’s First King

Prize-winning historian and broadcaster Gareth Russell explores the life of James I & VI – his reign, relationships and links to Royston.

With insights into the Gunpowder Plot, the King James Bible and six male lovers, this authoritative talk reveals the man behind the monarch.

5:30pm

Rory Clements

At the Village Hall

Rory ClementsEvil In High Places

Million-copy, Sunday Times bestselling, award winning, author of WWII spy thrillers and Elizabethan historical novels – in the vein of Robert Harris and CJ Sansom.

This latest thriller is set in 1936, with Hitler in total ruthless control of the Berlin Olympics. Munich murder-cop Sebastian Wolff seeks justice against overwhelming odds.

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7:00pm

Helen Thomas

At the Village Hall

Helen ThomasWalking With Dinosaurs

Uncovering the Secrets of Prehistoric Life with the co-author of the book and co-executive producer of the acclaimed BBC Studios series. The original series was the most-watched science show of the 20th century.

Now, with clips from the BBC’s stunning new series and in conversation with Ed Sayer (VP of Production, National Geographic), Helen delves into the latest discoveries. The beautifully illustrated book takes readers even deeper into the ancient world of dinosaurs and primeval forests, guided by leading experts.

 

 

Children’s Events in the Pavilion:

1:00pm

Kay Blayney

At the Pavilion

Drama facilitator Kay Blayney tells and performs The Very Hungry Caterpillar in costume

1:30pm

Gillian McClure

At the Pavilion

Gillian McClureTanglewood

Vastly experienced, award-winning, Carnegie Medal shortlisted author and illustrator of numerous picture books.

Hosts an inspiring storytelling session for 3-7 year olds, using puppets. Learn how a picture book is created from start to finish.

2:30pm

Dr Matthew Bothwell

At the Pavilion

Dr Matthew BothwellAstrophysics For Supervillains

Public Astronomer at Cambridge University’s Institute of Astronomy. Based on his two books for 6-10 year olds, a fun session exploring myriad questions about the mysteries of space, extra-terrestrial life and cosmic time.

Expert facilitator of events at schools, festivals and stargazing evenings. Writer and lecturer at the Royal Institution, New Scientist, the Royal Astronomical Society and the British Astronomical Association.

3:30pm

Rachel & Paul Lawston

At the Pavilion

Rachel & Paul LawstonMy Nature Trail

Highly qualified environmental advocates in children’s education.

Activity-based session for 6-10 year olds, based on their fun-filled, fact-filled, highly illustrated book, inviting curiosity and wonder.

4:30pm

Laura Noakes

At the Pavilion

Laura NoakesCosima Unfortunate

Young disabled author – shortlisted for the Wicked Young Writer Awards.

Presenting her two warm but twisty stories for 8-12 year olds, full of adventure and historical detail. Cosima lives at the Home for Unfortunate Girls where children deemed different are sent.

Royston Bookshop

A bookshop in the heart of the community offering great value, friendly service and unrivalled bookselling experience, Bow Books is a treasure-trove of information, education, relaxation and entertainment.

Bow Books

Cafe

Teas, coffees, homemade cakes and pastries will be served throughout the day.

 

Supporters

Pikku Publishing
Additions Tutoring

Contact us

Barkway Village Hall is located to the east of the main car park. The Pavilion is located next to the main car park area.

Barkway Village Hall
4 Cambridge Road
Barkway
Royston
SG8 8BS

M: 07801 349731

E: tomwornham@gmail.com

How to find us – Free Parking

Do you have an idea for a session at Barkway Literary Festival 2026?