10:00am

Dr John Firth

At the Village Hall

Kind & 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?

1:00pm

Kate Bradbury & Nic Wilson

At the Village Hall

Kate 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 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

4:00pm

Gareth Russell

At the Village Hall

Queen 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.

7:00pm

Helen Thomas

At the Village Hall

Walking 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.

1:00pm

Kay Blayney

At the Pavilion

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

2:30pm

Dr Matthew Bothwell

At the Pavilion

Astrophysics 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.

4:30pm

Laura Noakes

At the Pavilion

Cosima 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.