Messages from the stars of the 2008 festival

Philip Ardagh author of Awful End and the Fall of Fergal – “What a fabulous festival where am I? Thank you. Thank you one and all!”

Ernest Drake aka Dugald Steer author of the multi-million ‘Ology series – “To all those attend the wonderful Appledore Book Festival – please conserve and protect dragons wherever they may be found. Yours in Dragonology.”

The ABF Gardeners Question Time team Christopher Bailes, Nick Oliver, Sarah Chesters and John Harris – sent their thanks “gardening problems can be such fun!”

Peter Keene, geomorphologist and presenter of the wonderful walk and Bye-bye Burrows events – “I can’t remember when I have spent such a pleasant day with interested and pleasant people. You are all to be congratulated for organising such a rewarding sequence of events.”

Janet Keene added – “A wonderful enterprise. Congratulations and good luck for the future.

Peter Christie, local historian and councillor – “It was nice to be invited back again even if I was talking about fallen women!”

Penny Vincenzi, internationally best-selling author – “Lovely place, lovely festival, wonderful audience!”

Tony Benn, writer, diarist and politician – “Appledore – long famous for its ships moves into culture with its Book Festival”

Peter Villiers, biographer of Joseph Conrad – “It was a pleasure to meet such a lively and well-informed audience, and to attempt to answer their questions! Appledore is a wonderful community and its maritime traditions live on long may it build ships and race gigs!”

Mark Woolaway, local historian – “A triumph – I kept them awake!”

Kjartan Poskitt, author of Murderous Maths and Urgum the Axeman – “How completely brilliant to have such a great festival in a place as lovely and unique as Appledore! Many thanks to all of you for having me!”

Vivien French, author of Robe of Skulls, the Tiara Club series and many other fantastic children’s books - “Wild wind – wild waves and a truly FABULOUS festival – thank you so much for asking me!”

Steve Skidmore, one of the 2 Steves author of Mad Myths – “Wonderful Place! Wonderful People! Wonderful Festival!”
Steve Barlow (the other Steve) – “Appledore is Devon’s best-kept secret. Dickensian streets and views to die for. We’ve been here several times and we keep coming back (though people beg us not to …) Proper job!”

Three of Britain’s top sports writers:
Peter Jackson – “Thank you so much for inviting me to such a lovely place. If nothing else I hope someone found a new cure for insomnia.”
Ian Ridley – “Many, many thanks for the invitation and the hospitality. I hope your festival prospers and fosters such a great cause – a love of books and reading.”
Brian Scovell – “Congratulations to your wonderful volunteers in making the event better and better! Keep it going.”

Dan Freedman, author of the Jamie Johnson series of football stories – “Thanks so much for inviting me. It’s a pleasure to be writing this whilst looking out to sea. Good luck for now and the future. All the best.”

Libby Purves author of Love Songs and Lies and presenter of Midweek – “Thank you Appledore (on a wild, wet, wintry night!)”

Michael Henderson author of See You After the Duration – “Congratulations on getting this festival really on the way. I much appreciated the chance to participate.”

David Johnson, poet and author of Bombazine – “What a wonderful audience and a great pleasure to be performing in Appledore. Keep up the good work.”

Roy Hattersley, author, journalist and politician – “It has clearly been an enjoyable day and my festival “fun” has not even begun!”

Jeremy Strong, author of the 100 Mile an Hour Dog and many other bestsellers – “Best wishes to the festival and the library! Hope it’s all as stunning as it looks in the brochure!”

Tony Mitton, poet and author of Plum and many other books of poetry – “Appledore, beside the shore, where mermaids sing and sailors snore. Very best wishes. I’m really enjoying being here.”

Andrew Lambert, author of Admirals and top naval historian – “What a wonderful location for a book festival.”

Lucinda Lambton, author of Temples of Convenience – “A beautiful place with a beautiful name.”

Sir Peregrine Worsthorne, political pundit and former editor of the Sunday Telegraph – “A great privilege to be here.”

Nick Sharratt, author of Pants! and many other amazing books, plus illustrator for Jacqueline Wilson – “Pantastic!”

Kate Adie, BBC correspondent and author – “Again in Appledore (just – courtesy of Italian delays, weather and British railways …) but always worth it Thank you.”