News releaseHenley-on-Thames, September 25

Intoxicating mix at first Co-operative Bank Henley Literary festival

It is not often that we can be provoked into political debate, discuss the finer points of the work/life balance, take a look at British sporting excellence in the company of our country’s great sportsmen, enjoy poetry relaxing on a river boat, re-live adventure in the Himalayas and the arctic and entertain the kids with best-selling authors and theatrical performances, all in the space of three days. Yet that is exactly the intoxicating mix that was on offer to festival-goers at the inaugural Co-operative Bank Henley Literary Festival this weekend.

A total of 5000 tickets were taken for the 60 events over the three days, with many members of the audience having travelled from all over the country. There was not a spare hotel room in Henley for Saturday night.

Audiences were impressed by General Sir Mike Jackson, stimulated and engaged by former BBC war correspondent Martin Bell, thrilled by the exploits of adventurer David Hempleman Adams and thoroughly entertained by Craig Brown and Eleanor Bron’s parody of literary festivals at the Kenton Theatre, where the roars of laughter could be heard from the street. In a weekend of contrasts, The Town Hall played host to Henley’s own MP, Boris Johnson, creating political fireworks with Peter Oborne on Saturday, while ex-super model Marie Helvin graced the stage on Sunday to talk about her biography. The King’s Barn saw young mums discuss juggling family and work with Daily Mail columnist and author Anna Pasternak on Friday, followed on Sunday by an enlightening talk and lively discussion about Afghanistan with Sunday Times defence correspondent Mick Smith and former Daily Telegraph reporter Patrick Bishop. At the River and Rowing Museum, former England goal keeper Bob Wilson captivated his audience on Friday, followed on Saturday by poetry workshops with Jo Shapcott and the adventures of David-Hempleman Adams on Sunday.

Delighted children poured out of Julia Donaldson’s performance, well-worn Gruffalo toys in hand, still singing and re-living the performance at the Kenton Theatre, where a few hours later Rumpole creator Sir John Mortimer would delight audiences with his second appearance at the festival in conversation with Charles Spencer. In Nettlebed, two bright eyed young boys turned up, Hurricane Gold in hand, 40 minutes ahead of the 200 strong crowd before Fast Show star and Young Bond author Charlie Higson appeared to capture young imaginations with tales of Bond’s exploits as a teenager, asking with breathless excitement “can we get really near the front?”

The sense of excitement and anticipation was prevalent throughout the three days, along with a sense of intimacy, of congeniality and of being thoroughly involved. Even the largest gatherings at events in the Town Hall and the Kenton Theatre maintained a sense of closeness with the speaker, to the delight of authors and audiences alike, often lost in larger festivals. Smaller events became almost conversational, with questions and comments exchanged in dynamic debate. Audiences left the talks continuing their debates and discussions, often heading back to the marquee box office to decide which event they could fit in next. Authors headed back to the Green Room to mingle with their peers and reflect on their events. Sunday Times columnist and author India Knight said: “Of the last five or six festivals that I have attended, this one has been the best”.

Festival Director Sue Ryan commented: “We knew that we had created a fantastic programme and the nail biting bit was whether we would get the audiences - we did. Five thousand seats taken for an inaugural festival is an all time record and says a lot both about Henley as a venue and the quality of the programme on offer. The mix of serious and smart, light and funny, entertaining and mind expanding was perfect; this was a festival that offered a rich variety of talks and performances to suit all tastes. Thanks to the volunteer work by so many we were able to keep costs down and also to offer quite a few free tickets to schools and others in the community so that the atmosphere would be relaxed, convivial. Judging by the buzz in Henley this weekend, I think we have achieved every thing we hoped to.”

With talks and performances from renowned authors, politicians and public figures, local authors, acclaimed journalists and Booker-nominated writers, the first Co-operative Bank Henley Literary Festival has provided audiences with a sumptuous selection of Britain’s best literary talent and authors with a fun, lively and stimulating event where they can truly engage with their audiences, catch up with old friends and enjoy a weekend celebration of the written word.

END

Notes for editors

The Co-operative Bank Henley Literary festival is an annual book festival in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Operating as The Henley Literary Festival Ltd, the event is managed by Festival Director, Sue Ryan, and a committee of dedicated local professionals. Designed to stimulate interest and debate, the focus of the festival is to offer a range of events across a wide variety of topics to people of all ages and interests. For further information, please visit

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Press contacts:

Henley Literary Festival

Kursha Woodgate, Mexia Communications

Tel: 08700 103 151Email:

Sue Ryan

Tel:07766 740 900Email:

The Co-operative Bank

Aileen Walters, Sponsorship Manager

Direct tel: 0161 929 5668

Mobile: 07798 847564 Email: