Book festival gets enigmatic

The 2016 Festival - known as Books in the Belfry - will be held in the picturesque Hertfordshire village on Friday May 20 and Saturday May 21 with another line-up of top names.

Hertfordshire author Dermot Turing, the nephew of legendary Bletchley Park code-breaker Alan Turing, will be discussing his biography Decoded on May 21 having had access to family letters and diaries which provided a unique insight into the extraordinary life of the mathematician whose personal life ended in tragedy.

The festival kicks off on the evening of Friday May 20 with novelist Renee Knight, whose Gone-Girl style thriller Disclaimer was in the bestselling lists earlier this year.

There is an appearance from Edd Kimber, who won the first series of The Great British Bake-off back in 2010. Edd has written three books, the latest being Patisserie Made Simple. and will be in conversation with award-winning BBC broadcaster Sybil Ruscoe over tea and scones.

The programme also features a children’s story-telling session, a creative writing boot camp and a sports session with journalist Alan Fraser whose fascinating story The Hitler Trophy - the history of golf in the Olympics and its memorable role at the 1936 Games ahead of its return in Rio this summer - is published this month.

Festival spokesman Vikki Orvice said: “We are excited about the line-up and hope as many people in the area will once again support Books in the Belfry. We think attracting Dermot Turing, Edd Kimber and Renee Knight is another coup for the Festival so come along and hear their stories.

“We’ve tried to make sure there is something for everyone and it promises to be fun, whatever age you are.”

Waterstones is supporting the Festival and will be selling books on both days. Visitors will be able to meet the authors and get books signed.

Proceeds will help support the Friends of St Leonard’s to raise funds for repair work to safeguard medieval wall-paintings in the village church.

For further information on all the festival events and how to book tickets - online or in person - go to www.flamsteadbookfestival.com.