Bloomin’ Good Books Festival
In 2009, we were very fortunate to have as a celebrity guest Simon King OBE, one of this country’s leading naturalist and film makers, who gave a talk and signed copies of his new book, Wild Life.
His visit was such a success that we talked to SilverDell, the award-winning independent bookshop who organised it, about having a regular book slot within the flower show. From these discussions, we created the Bloomin’ Good Books Festival – a mini festival in a specially reserved area within the flower show.
SilverDell, in association with Lancashire Libraries, have spent the winter months putting together a fascinating four-day programme for adults and children.
Entry to the book festival area is included in the existing ticket price and all of the events are free.
Along with celebrity authors, book signings and talks there will also be a SilverDell bookshop on site with a wide selection of fiction, non-fiction and (of course) one or two books on gardening!
The Bloomin’ Good Books Festival brings another new feature to the flower show - we hope you’ll enjoy it!
A book is like a garden carried in the pocket - Chinese Proverb
MAIN PROGRAMME
19th August
1.00pm Crime Authors
Mark Billingham - From The Dead
Stuart MacBride - Halfhead
Mark Billingham’s first crime novel Sleepyhead was published in 2001, was an instant bestseller in the UK and was published in the USA in the summer of 2002. Born in
Birmingham, Mike has been an actor, a TV writer and stand up comedian.
Stuart MacBride maintains that his latest book, Halfhead, is not science fiction. He says: “Crime fiction set in Victorian times is historic crime fiction, crime fiction set in the 21st century is crime fiction, however set it 60 years in the future and people call it sci-fi!” Born in Dumbarton and raised in Aberdeen. Mike studied architecture in Edinburgh and has also been involved in graphic design, computer programming.
Mark and Stuart will be giving a talk, answering questions and signing their books.
4.00pm Sue Shepherd
The Surprising Life of Constance Spry
A riveting biography of the influential floral artist, Constance Spry, published to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her death. Connie began her life teaching slum children and ended it creating the floral displays for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Sue Shepherd’s new book is a meticulously researched and engagingly written account of the life of a profoundly unconventional woman who is remembered for The Constance Spry Cookery Book, a bible for middle class housewives.
Sue will be giving a talk, answering questions and signing her new book.
Friday 20th August
11.00am Mike Pannett
You’re Coming With Me Lad
Following on the great success of Now Then Lad, PC Mike Pannett returns with more tales of policing rural Yorkshire. You’re Coming With Me Lad blends gentle humour with real-life action as we are introduced to the wonderful rural characters and breathtaking scenery on his local beat patrolling six hundred square miles of God’s Own Country.
Mike will be giving a talk, answering questions and he will be at the Festival all day chatting and signing books
1.00pm Caroline Smailes – local author
Like Bees to Honey
A major new novel from the acclaimed author of In Search of Adam and Black Boxes. In her third novel, Caroline Smailes draws upon her own family history for a remarkable and unforgettable story. Like Bees to Honey is a story of loss, redemption and ghosts. It is a magical tale that will live with you long after you finish reading.
Caroline will be giving a talk, answering questions and signing copies of her new book.
Saturday 21st August
11.00am Toby Buckland
Gardeners’ World Practical Gardening Handbook: Traditional techniques, expert skills and innovative ideas.
In this brilliant new official companion to Gardeners’ World, lead presenter Toby Buckland offers a complete guide to making you a better gardener. He encourages us all to turn gardening into an adventure rather than a list of chores.
Toby will be signing copies of his new book
Sunday 22nd August
2.00pm Tess Gerritsen Internationally acclaimed best selling author
The Killing Place
The newest heart-stopping thriller from Tess Gerritsen incorporates a seamless plot with tremendous action. The Killing Place takes the ongoing characters Dr Maura Isles and homicide detective Jane Rizzoli into a mysterious village to discover a dark secret.
We’re very proud at the Bloomin’ Good Books Festival to welcome such a high calibre and famous author to our inaugural festival.
Tess will be giving a talk, answering questions and signing her new book.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME
Thursday 19th August
3.00pm Tamsyn Murray
Stunt Bunny
Ages 6 – 12
Meet Harriet Houdini, a daredevil bunny with attitude, as she settles into life with her new family. Never destined to be a boring bunny, Harriet finds herself scouted by the producer of hit TV show Superpets and starts her career on the showbiz ladder. From daring backflips to thrilling escape attempts, Harriet really is a Stunt Bunny extraordinaire.
Saturday 21st
12.00 noon & 3.00pm Jan Burchett & Sara Vogler Gargoylz
Ages 6-12
Gargoylz ride to the rescue
Knights, dungeons and battlements – Cavel castle has it all! Max, Ben and the Gargoylz can’t wait to explore. But the castle has Gargoylz too – and they have tricks of their own. Will the castle Gargoylz make friends with their mischievous visitors?
1.30pm & 4.30pm Steve Hartley – Local Author
Danny Baker Record Breaker
Ages 7 - 11
Danny Baker Record Breaker – The World’s Awesomest Air Barf
Like many young boys, Danny dreams of making it into the record books. Eternally optimistic, he writes to Mr Bibby, Keeper of the Records, with hilarious accounts of his yucky endeavours.
Sunday 22nd August
12.00 Jon Mayhew – local author
Mortlock
Ages 6 - 12
Jon Mayhew will talk about his acclaimed new book, Mortlock. The sister is a knife-thrower in a magician’s stage act, the brother an undertaker’s assistant. Neither orphan knows of the other’s existence. Until, that is, three terrible aunts descend on the girl’s house and imprison her guardian, the Great Cardamom. His dying act is to pass the girl a note with clues to the secret he carries to his grave. Now, pursued by flesh-eating crow-like ghouls, brother and sister must decode the message and save themselves from its sinister legacy.
