This is an enchanting memoir from acclaimed writer Josceline Dimbleby, exploring the food influences of her rich and varied life.  As an itinerant child with a diplomat stepfather, Josceline spent much of her time in the kitchen – in a succession of different countries – watching cooks transform food with spices and herbs.  As a consequence, she acquired not only a taste for food but also a passion for discovering other lands and different cuisines.  She will discuss with James Saumarez her wide-ranging travels, food and memories.

On 2nd June 2011, Orchards in the Oasis was awarded the Kate Whiteman Food and Travel Award at the Guild of Food Writers Awards.

Supported by Quadrille Publishing

West Country booksellers will display for sale thousands of antiquarian, scarce and good secondhand books, plus ephemera, maps, prints and postcards. What a great opportunity to find the elusive tome you have been hunting for years – or just to browse and buy what takes your fancy.

Mark Logue, grandson of speech therapist Lionel Logue, shared the diaries and archival material of his grandfather with Peter Conradi, author and Sunday Times journalist, and together they tell the untold story of the remarkable relationship between Logue and the future King George VI.  You’ve seen the film of The King’s Speech – now learn the history behind the film.

Supported by Quercus Books

If you have always wanted to explore book making techniques and learn the skills to make your own photo albums, sketchbooks, notebooks, journals or artists books, this workshop is perfect for you. You will learn a variety of experimental book structures as well as some more traditional techniques, and go home with at least two beautiful handmade books. The workshop is suitable for both beginners and those who have some experience in book making and would like to experiment further.

You must have an advance ticket for this event: we are unable to sell tickets on the night.

A former Defence Intelligence Officer gives us the inside story.  On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, author Anthony Tucker-Jones discusses the rise of Osama bin Laden and the efforts to kill him.  After nearly 20 years in the British Intelligence Community, Anthony established himself as a leading historian and defence writer.  His last book The Rise of Militant Islam examines from an insider’s perspective how western intelligence misinterpreted every landmark event on the road to 9/11.

Historian and author Kathryn Ferry reveals how the diminutive painted structures lining our coast have evolved over the centuries. In her illustrated talk the nation’s beach hut expert tracks the change from wheeled bathing machines to the highly desirable seafront property of today. Kathryn is a regular contributor to TV and radio.

With tongue firmly in his cheek, John has spent 10 years writing awkward questions to famous individuals, brands and organisations. Sometimes acting as consumer champion, sometimes just for a laugh, he uncovers why we complain, how much we complain and how to get better at it.

Come and hear Jan Mazzoni in conversation with Maggie Murray on the subject of her thought-provoking new novel The Snow Fox Diaries. Set against the beautiful, sometimes violent world of today’s Exmoor, the  novel is about a marriage in trouble, a rare white fox – and how they become entwined as both struggle to survive. Hear how a true event inspired this must-read for anyone whose life has ever been touched by a wild creature.