The Isle of Wight Literary Festival is delighted to confirm Red Funnel as the headline sponsor and announce some of the speakers for this year’s festival, which will be held at Northwood House Cowes from 6th to 9th October 2022.
For our tenth anniversary and in this jubilee year we celebrate Royalty.
Speakers include:
- Robert Hardman is a best-selling author and writer of acclaimed television documentaries on the monarchy. Queen of our Times draws on the insights from those who know her best, and through access to unseen papers, Robert explores the full astonishing life of Elizabeth II who has proved an astute and quietly determined figure leading her family through more than 70 years of unprecedented social change.
- Tracy Borman is a historian, author and broadcaster, and a regular presenter at the festival. Her latest work Crown and Sceptre charts the history of the British Monarchy from 1066 to today showing how it has evolved over time while remaining at the centre of our religious, political and cultural identity.
- Ingrid Seward is a leading royal biographer and commentator and is Editor in Chief of Majest Magazine. Her biography, Prince Philip Revealed – A Man of His Century details how Philip as the Queen’s most valuable and loyal companion also created a role for himself by modernising the monarchy, campaigning to protect the environment, championing science and inspiring the young through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
- Hugo Vickers is a well-known biographer, lecturer and broadcaster and an acknowledged expert on the Royal Family. Writing with HRH the Duke of Kent, A Royal Life, details the Duke’s life as a working member of the Royal Family throughout the Queen’s reign.
History and Science
History and Science also feature at this year’s festival.
Archaeologist and TV presenter Dr Ben Robinson will talk about his latest book: England’s Villages: Extraordinary Journey Through Time
Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock – space scientist, educationalist and presenter of BBC ‘s The Sky at Night answers big questions for young scientists in Am I Made of Stardust?
A list of the speakers currently announced can be found on the Website.
Julia Dams, Programme Director for the festival, noted,
“We are delighted to confirm that Robert, Tracy, Ingrid, Hugo, Ben and Maggie have agreed to take part in this special festival. Over the coming weeks we will be announcing many more exciting speakers in a rich and varied programme of over 50 speakers offering something for all.”
Chair, Maggie Ankers said,
“After two years of a ‘digital’ festival as a result of covid we are so pleased to be welcoming our loyal audiences back to Northwood House and Red Funnel’s continued support will help us ensure the anniversary event is accessible to all.”
By bringing authors to the Isle of Wight to share their work the festival helps visitors experience the ideas, inspiration, entertainment that is unleashed when the pages of a good book are turned. Details of the programme will be announced on the Website where you can sign up to the festival newsletter.
About the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Literary Festival
The Red Funnel Isle of Wight Literary Festival, an established event on the UK Arts calendar, was first held in 2012. The festival provides a far-reaching eclectic programme designed to attract a wide audience and increase the cultural richness of the Isle of Wight.
Pre-Covid the festival was hosted at Northwood House, Cowes over four days with more than 60 writers and presenters talking about their latest works and providing thought provoking insights.
Festival goers will be choosing between sessions examining history, medicine, gardening, crime fiction, travel, technology, maritime adventure, politics and much more.
A registered charity
The Isle of Wight Literary Festival is a registered charity (No. 1164814) relying on the generous support of sponsors, benefactors and friends. The festival is organised and staffed by volunteers.
The festival has two patrons: Major General Sir Martin White KCVO, CB, CBE and Nicholas Allan – author and illustrator patron of the Youth Programme and three vice patrons, Alan Titchmarsh MBE DL, Dick Turpin and Michael Grade – The Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE.
Schools Programme
The Schools Programme, which is supported by the Isle of Wight Literary Festival, sends authors, illustrators and dramatists into the schools to enrich the education for the under 18s on the Isle of Wight by providing cultural experiences to stimulate interest in learning and creative ideas.
In 2019 over 40 schools and nearly 5000 Isle of Wight children were involved in the programme. Due to Covid in 2020 and 2021 Schools Programme has been cancelled. Plans are underway for the 2022 Schools Programme.
