Warwick Words starts this month

So as well as the usual autumn offering of talks, readings, workshops and performances, people in and around Warwick can look forward to an extra summer festival, taking place from Thursday June 13 to Sunday June 16.

Among those taking part is Jeremy Page, talking about his historical novel, The Collector of Lost Things, in which the characters are fuelled by obsession, passion and ghosts.

Biographer Jane Dunn will uncover the unconventional lives of the successful, beautiful and rebellious Du Maurier sisters, while Elizabeth Chadwick will be talking about her best-seller, The Summer Queen, which tells the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine - a life overflowing with sex, scandal and politics.

Numbered among local writers taking part in the weekend is festival patron Andrew Davies, who will talk about his latest television series Mr Selfridge, the story of the London department store creator’s extraordinary life.

Festival director Helen Meeke said: “This year, in an exciting new departure, we’ve split the festival between June and October.

“Our popular series of tea time talks returns as part of the summer festival and runs throughout the year, as does our programme of festival ‘Xtra’ events.”

This year’s summer festival line-up also includes Rosie Goodwin. talking about her latest war novel The Home Front Girls, 93-year-old Leamington actress and writer Kathleen Hilditch and intelligence scholar Christopher Moran, whose talk will seek to understand James Bond’s enduring popularity.

For a full programme and tickets, call 776438 or visit www.warwickwords.co.uk