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Volunteer Treasurer
Needed!

We are looking for a committed and organised individual to join the Board of Trustees as our Treasurer. This voluntary position would be ideal for someone with financial experience who wants to make a difference in the community.

To express interest, or for more information, please contact Jan Thompson by email at secretary@appledorebookfestival.co.uk

with your cv or equivalent by 2nd July 2026

Click here for more details

Exclusive Friend's Event
Story of Seafield House

Includes a glass of wine or soft drink!

Tues 30 June 2026, 7-9pm

Join us for the opportunity to hear Sharon Snell give an illustrated talk about the mysterious Seafield House in Westward Ho!, known locally as the Haunted House: its past, present and future.

Be quick, only a few tickets remain!

Click here for more details

Incredible News
For the Book Festival!

We are absolutely delighted to announce that the Appledore Book Festival has received a generous grant from the People’s Postcode Lottery as part of the Millionaire Street Grant Fund – support that will make a real difference to our community. This is extra special this year, as 2026 is the 20th festival and also the Year of Reading.

Click here for more details

Festival Awards Bursary
To Plymouth Uni Student

"It's really amazing to be the first winner of this

scholarship, and it's given me a lot of freedom within my studies this year .. Writing and literature have been part of my life for a long tire, but getting the chance to study at a University level, as well as winning this prize, means that it'll be part of my life for a long time to come.

Thank you so much."

Laurie Page, Plymouth University Student

Click here for more details

Gift Vouchers
Available Now!

Gift Vouchers are now available.

An ideal present for friends and family. They can be purchased for any value you like. The vouchers can easily be redeemed online for Festival event tickets or for Friends Memberships.

Click here for more details

Friends Memberships
Get Yours Today!

Friends Memberships for 2026 are now available.

Being a 'Friend of the Festival' comes with fantastic benefits, including priority booking, and is a great way to support our Festival both now and in the future.

Click here for more details

Charlotte Aitken Trust
Schools Week

Get the Latest News

Click on a News Story below ...

📣 Volunteer Treasurer Needed 📣
The Appledore Book Festival is looking for a committed and organised individual to join the Board of Trustees as our Treasurer. This voluntary position would be ideal for someone with financial experience who wants to make a difference in the community.

As Treasurer you would help to oversee the charity’s finances, support good governance and work with your fellow Trustees to ensure the Charity’s aims are sustainable and effective.

What you will bring
• Financial knowledge of bookkeeping or accountancy experience and charities.
• Good organisational skills.
• Commitment to the Charity’s aims and values.
• Ability to work as a team.

What you will do
• Monitor income and expenditure.
• Present Financial reports to the Board.
• Support budgeting and financial planning.
• Ensure proper procedures are followed.
• Contribute to the charity’s planning.

This a rewarding opportunity to support a meaningful cause and contribute your skills to the Festival and the local community. 🎗️

To express interest, or for more information, please contact Jan Thompson by email at secretary@appledorebookfestival.co.uk with your cv or equivalent by 2nd July 2026

We are delighted to announce that the Appledore Book Festival 2026 Art Prize winner is local artist, Rosie Burns. CONGRATULATIONS ROSIE!🎉

The winning artwork named ‘THE NETTED SUNBEAM DANCE’ will appear on the front cover of this year’s brochure. The title is a line from Tennyson's THE BROOK - one of Rosie’s favourite water poems.🖼️

The original artwork will be on display at the Festival in September and will be auctioned at the end of the 10 days, with profits being shared between the artist and the Festival.
Rosie is a painter and printmaker, she is one half of Rosie and Red Art and Leather, working from studios in Bideford. Her work is a vibrant exploration of light, life, and the interplay between humanity and the environment. More formal oil paintings celebrate the natural world, and generate narratives, whilst experimental printmaking processes challenge depictions of gender, environmental concerns and push the boundaries between print and paint.🎨

She initially trained as an Archaeological site and finds illustrator, she then went on to train to teach art and design in schools, she worked in state education for over 20 years. Rosie has exhibited locally, nationally and internationally for over 3 decades, participated in Art for Social Justice exhibitions in Miami, Berlin and the 2024 Venice Biennial. She is an Artivist, a pacifist and keen to use her work to engage broad audiences in issues of contemporary social justice, she is a full-time, self-employed artist.👩‍🎨

For more information visit www.rosieburnsartist.com
We would like to offer a warm thank you to ArtMakers for their continued support and to everyone who entered the competition.🎗️

@burns_rosie @artmakersuk

The latest book from, Festival Patron, Jeremy Vine hit the shelves this month! 📚

Turn the Dial for Death, is the second book in his new murder mystery series, The Sidmouth Murder Mysteries. We have no doubt it will be another huge bestseller. 🗡️

Be sure to look out for Jeremy who will be appearing again at this year’s Festival (18-27 September). 🎪

Congratulations Jeremy! 🎉 @thejeremyvine
📸 Sophia Spring
#jeremyvine #turnthedialformurder #sidmouthmurdermysteries #appledorebookfestival

🎪 Wishing you all a very Happy Easter from everyone at the Appledore Book Festival 🐰 🐣

💫 Come and celebrate World Book Night with us, on Thursday 23rd April, 7-9pm, at St Mary’s Hall in Appledore. 🌒 📚

We’ll be hosting a relaxed evening of reading, refreshments and friendly conversation with fellow readers in the village.

ℹ️ World Book Night is part of The Reading Agency and run as one of the charity’s programmes as part of its work to inspire people to share reading and celebrate the difference it makes to our lives. It brings people from all backgrounds together for one reason – to inspire others to read more.

🆓 Entry is free! So if you’d like to join us, please email pat@appledorebookfestival.co.uk.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🤩

📣 Exciting News for the Appledore Book Festival! 📣

We are absolutely delighted to announce that the Appledore Book Festival has received a generous grant from the People’s Postcode Lottery as part of the Millionaire Street Grant Fund – support that will make a real difference to our community. This is extra special this year, as 2026 is the 20th festival and also the Year of Reading. 📚

It is also wonderful news that Northam Care Trust has received a £100,000 donation which will no doubt make a great difference to the already superb support they offer. In addition, we would like to congratulate the seven postcode lottery winners in EX39 1EZ who have received substantial winnings. 👏

This funding will help us to expand our literacy outreach, bring more authors and storytellers into schools and to the festival. We intend to continue to organise inclusive events that will welcome readers of all ages, background and abilities. It strengthens our mission to make books, creativity and culture accessible to everyone in North Devon and beyond. 🏫

We are deeply grateful to the People’s Postcode Lottery for believing in the importance of literacy and for investing in the future of our festival and our community. Their support helps us to continue building a festival and Schools Week that inspires curiosity, connection and lifelong learning.
Do follow the Appledore Book Festival as we have some wonderful plans taking shape for this year’s programme and we shall be sharing them with you.🎗️

Thank you People's Postcode Lottery for helping us turn pages into possibilities. 💫

Sara Mendosa
Chair of Trustees

Wishing everyone a Happy World Book Day today! 💫 📚

Through images, original poems and songs to the sea, The Cabin Girls will take you on a journey from Lundy to Appledore, Bideford and Northam, bringing to life the sights and sounds of the glorious North Devon landscape and seascape. The evening includes an interval where refreshments and copies of ‘The Shout’ poetry book will be available to purchase. Tickets are available from www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk!
In association with Discover Your Bounce Publishing and Sponsored by The Coffee Cabin #thecabingirls #appledorebookfestival #localevent #poetry

Don’t miss our Safari Storytime and Play event at St. Mary’s Hall on Tuesday 17 February! Free entry, suitable for ages 4-11 year olds and refreshments will be available 🍩☕️🐯🦁🐒📚 #safari #storytime #free

📣Appledore Book Festival Gift Vouchers 📣
Looking for a gift for a book-loving friend? Why not buy them a gift voucher for the Appledore Book Festival?🎁
Available in multiples of £10 they can be used to purchase tickets for events at next year’s Festival. 🎪
There is also a voucher for £28, the price of a Friends’ Membership which will entitle them to priority booking and a whole host of other benefits.
What’s more, by buying a Gift Voucher you help support our incredible Schools Week, offering access to authors and free books to children of all ages. 📚🎗️
For further information visit www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk ✨
#giftmembership #abf2026 #giftvouchers #xmaspresent #merrychristmas #Books #authors #appledore

🎄Festive Evening with Appledore’s Sandy Brown🎄
There are still a few tickets left for a special Festive evening with Appledore’s world-renowned ceramicist, Sandy Brown. 🎟️
🎪Sandy will be opening her studio to Friends of the Appledore Book Festival on Wednesday 10 December, 5.30-7pm.
Price is £10 including mulled wine and mince pies, and live music, plus the chance to purchase unique Christmas gifts.
To book your ticket, or become a Friend of the Festival, please go to appledorebookfestival.co.uk
#friendsofthefestival #sandybrown #festivefun

📣 CALLING ALL SUPPORTERS OF THE APPLEDORE BOOK FESTIVAL 📣
The 'Movement for Good Awards' is an annual programme of giving that anyone can get involved in, and again this year they'll be donating over £1 million to charities and good causes. 📚
We would be incredibly grateful if all friends and supporters of our brilliant Festival would nominate us for these awards by visiting https://culture.movementforgood.com/#nominateACharity
You can nominate us for both an £1K award and if you scroll further, a Special Award for £5k! PLEASE NOTE THAT THE £5K AWARD DEADLINE IS THIS SUNDAY! 🫶
#nominate #community #awards #movementforgood

📣 THERE'S STILL TIME TO WALK ON THE WILD SIDE IN THE LOVELY AUTUMN SUNSHINE, TODAY & TOMORROW 📣
'Walk on the Wild Side' with Martin Unwin, Mon 6 & Tues 7 Oct, 3-5pm 🦅🎟
To book, visit www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk
#walkonthewildside #walk #wildlife #coast #tickets #appledore

📣 Book your tickets for Walk on the Wild Side, with Martin Unwin 📣
We are pleased to announce that the two 'Walk on the Wild Side' events with Martin Unwin, have been rescheduled for Mon 6 & Tues 7 Oct, 3-5pm 🦅
Ticket holders have been notified by email and more tickets are available to buy. 🎟
To book, visit www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk
#walkonthewildside #walk #wildlife #coast #tickets #appledore

📣 THE PERFECT END TO THE 2025 APPLEDORE BOOK FESTIVAL📚
Yesterday we welcomed Veronica Henry, Rachel Joyce, Kate Kemp & Joanna Miller for our sell out Sunday Brunch with the Authors 🖋 In association with The Miranda Foundation
Actor, Larry Lamb, was joined by author Stephanie Merritt and he shared an insight into his new book All Wrapped Up, his decades-long acting career and of course his role as Mick in NTA winning TV series, Gavin and Stacey.
Radio & television broadcaster Petroc Trelawny talked to Festival Patron, Andy Cooper about his love of Cornwall where he grew up.
Award-winning actor, Rose Ayling-Ellis, gave an inspiring talk alongside DK Books Associate Publishing Director, Francesca Young, and a BSL interpreter about the books from her childhood, her new children's book Marvellous Messages, dancing on Strictly and her role in ITV drama, Code of Silence.🎗Kindly sponsored by Kalm Supported Living
The day ended with music and dancing with thanks to the Appledore Ceilidh Band, where a wonderful time was had by all. 🎼
Our brilliant authors, sponsors, interviewers, volunteers and audiences have been amazing once again so thank you.
Throughout the Festival there were many smaller talks & walking events and we would like to thank everyone who hosted them, including David Carter, Pete Yeo, Martin Unwin, Terry Bailey and the speakers who took part in Local History & Seafaring Day.
Finally, today is the beginning of Schools Week where our children's authors tour schools across Torridge & North Devon. Over the week, 26 authors will visit 76 schools, colleges, nurseries and libraries (a total of 225 events) and 9,000 books will be given to children to take home and keep. We hope all the children have a brilliant time.
To look back over the last 10 days, please visit www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk 🎪
#appledorebookfestival2025 #larrylamb #RoseAylingEllis #authors #community #thankyou

📚 Thank you to everyone who braved the weather yesterday and came along to see our brilliant authors: Jeremy Vine, Kate Humble, Alexander Armstrong, Tiggy Walker, Mark Billingham & Frank Gardner.
The books featured, covered everything from murder, recipes and crime to storytelling for children, grief and espionage. We've had laughter, tears and everything in between ...
🫶Thank you to our interviewers: Stephanie Merritt, Laura James, Jo Rees & Jeremy Vine
🎗Also, many thanks to our sponsors for their support: Harding & Co, bunnyhomes, Affinity Devon & Samuels Solicitors
#JeremyVine #katehumble #AlexanderArmstrong #tiggywalker #markbillingham #FrankGardner #books #appledore

🎪 Frank Gardner was joined by fellow BBC broadcaster and friend Jeremy Vine this evening to talk about his latest novel, Invasion.
Invasion, a fast-paced spy thriller, is the fourth in its series based on MI6 operative Luke Carlton. As well as this, Frank has a personal story of strength & resilience, and he shared his recollection of the shooting which caused his partial paralysis and his determination to pursue his passions in spite of this including skiing, scuba diving, and travel.
Thank you to Frank Gardner & Jeremy Vine for an entertaining discussion. Also, a special thank you to sponsor Samuels Solicitors 🎗 and once again to our brilliant audience, who filled the tent despite the weather.
Tomorrow's events are:
Sunday Brunch with the Authors - hosted by Veronica Henry, 10am 🎟 £26
Larry Lamb: All Wrapped Up, 1.30pm 🎟 £15
Petroc Trelawny: Trelawney's Cornwall - A Journey Through Western Lands 3.15pm 🎟 £14
Rose Ayling-Ellis: Marvellous Messages, 5pm 🎟 £10/£15
🎗Kindly sponsored by Kalm Supported Living
Appledore Ceilidh Band, 7pm 🎟 £12.50
Tickets for all events are still available, visit www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk !
📸 Dave Green
#FrankGardner #JeremyVine #appledore

Chloe Marie Aston at the Festival today…

🎪 ALL WELCOME! ENJOY DELICIOUS REFRESHMENTS - NO TICKET NEEDED!
In addition to our author events, there will be live music 🎵each day, and a fabulous range of food - bacon butties 🥓 wraps 🌯 salads 🥗 tacos 🌮 and more.
Food & Drinks will be prepared and served by: Skern Catering Van including hand stretched sourdough pizzas (new this year!) and firm favourite festival winner, freshly cooked pasties.
Also, Beatz Cookin Kitchen, Croyde Coffee Truck, The Garden Box, Hocking's & Wickham's Wine.
Head over to the www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk for more information …
#foodanddrink #skern #appledore

🎪COMING UP TODAY ...
The Jeremy Vine: Murder on Line One, 10.45am £15
🎗Kindly sponsored by Harding & Co 📸 Sophia Spring
Kate Humble: Home Made, 12.30pm £15
🎗Kindly sponsored by bunnyhomes 📸 Kate Hudson Vernon
Alexander Armstrong: Evenfall, 2.15pm £10/12
🎗Kindly sponsored by Affinity Devon Outlet Shopping 📸 David Sheinmann
Tiggy Walker: Both Sides Now, 4pm £12 📸 James McMillan
Mark Billingham: What The Night Brings, 5.45pm £15 📸 Steve Best
Frank Gardner: Invasion, 7.45pm (SOLD OUT)
🎗Kindly sponsored by Samuels Solicitors 📸Kin Ho
🎟 TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR MOST EVENTS! www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk 📚
#JeremyVine #katehumble #AlexanderArmstrong #tiggywalker #markbillingham #FrankGardner #tickets #appledore

Tomorrow we welcome Jeremy Vine, Kate Humble, Alexander Armstrong, Tiggy Walker and Frank Gardner to Skern 🎪 tickets still available for most events visit www.appleforebookfestival.co.uk 🎉

🎪 HOW CAN IT BE THE FINAL WEEKEND OF THE FESTIVAL ALREADY?
Many thanks to Louise Butcher - Fiona Benson - Paula Hawkins (🎗Pig & Olive) - S J Parris & Kate Summerscale and also to Clare Willcocks Art & Susy Atkins (🎗Wickham's Wine)🫶
TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR MANY EVENTS THIS WEEKEND SO HEAD OVER TO www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk TO GET YOURS NOW! 🎟
#appledorebookfestival2025 #appledore #authorsofinstagram #sponsorship #community #tickets

🎪Today we hosted award-winning children's author & performer Gareth P Jones, who presented a unique event of songs, jokes and frenetic storytelling to Y5 and Y6 pupils from the local area.
A big thank you to Gareth & to all the schools who brought their pupils along - we hope they all had a great time! 🤹🎼🎉📚
🎗Kindly sponsored by Clearcut Campervan Design
🫶 In association with The Miranda Foundation
#schools #childrensauthor #appledore #Fun #music #murdermysteryandmusic

🖼 PLACE YOUR BIDS FOR THE ORIGINAL PAINTING WHICH WON THE APPLEDORE BOOK FESTIVAL 2025 ART PRIZE AND FEATURED ON THE COVER OF THE 2025 FESTIVAL BROCHURE! 🏆
Local artist, Sarah Lockett, was the winner this year and her beautiful painting, Looking to Appledore, is currently on display in the Waterstones Tent at Skern, next to the info/ticket desk.
The winning bid will be announced on Sunday afternoon, so be quick! 🎨
🎗With many thanks to all the artists who entered the competition and to ArtMakers for their collaboration and continued support. 📚
📸 Dave Green
#2025artprize #sarahlockett #artmakers #art #appledore #bookfestival

🎪Thank you to all of yesterday's authors - Paula Byrne, Fern Britton, Ian Leslie, Dr Duncan Harding, Rebecca Alexander, Michael Sheridan & Helen Lederer. Such a fantastic variety of subjects - fiction to forensic psychiatry and music to comedy - there really was something for everyone. Not forgetting Susy Atkins who brought some delicious wines from Spain & Portugal, which went down a treat, and Clare Willcocks Art for the popular Sip 'n' Paint. 🍷🎨
Thank you also to our wonderful interviewers: Susan Sandon, Veronica Henry, Prof. John Heathershaw & Emma Marston.
And finally many thanks to our event sponsors🎗
Fern Britton: Mitchell and Dickinson
Susy Atkins: Wollens & Wickham's WIne
🎟Tickets for the remaining events can be bought from www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk (many still available)
Who are you looking forward to seeing this weekend?🙌
#fernbritton #HelenLederer #FestiveVibes #appledore #tickets

🎪 WHAT'S ON FRI 19 SEPT ...
PAULA HAWKINS: THE BLUE HOUR 📚
In Conversation with Orlando Murrin 12:30pm
🎗Kindly sponsored by Pig and Olive
S J PARRIS & KATE SUMMERSCALE: MURDER MOST FOUL🗡
In Conversation with Susan Sandon, 4pm
📸 Robin Christian
ROGER TAYLOR: THE MAN WHO SAVED WIMBLEDON 🥎
In conversation with Marcus Buckland, 5.45pm
🎗Kindly sponsored by Kingsley Devon
GABRIEL GATEHOUSE: THE COMING STORM - INSIDE AMERICA'S RADICAL NEW POLITICS OF PARANOIA 🇺🇸
In Conversation with The Jeremy Vine, 7.30pm
📸 Jeff Overs
🎟 Tickets available from www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk
#paulahawkins #thebluehour #sjparris #katesummerscale #rogertaylor #gabrielgatehouse #appledore #tickets

🎪 THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS 🎉

We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the incredibly dedicated volunteers who give their time so generously.

From ticketing events to stewarding our car parks (and much, much more) they all make the Festival the incredible success that it is. ❤️

📸 Dave Green

#volunteers #thankyou #support #dedication #community #appledore #northdevon #lucky #grateful #ABF2025

📣 POSTPONED EVENT UPDATE 📣
We are pleased to announce that the two 'Walk on the Wild Side' events with Martin Unwin, have been rescheduled for Mon 6 & Tues 7 Oct, 3-5pm 🦅
Ticket holders have been notified by email and more tickets are available to buy. 🎟
To book, visit https://appledorebookfestival.littleboxoffice.com/events
#walkonthewildside #walk #wildlife #coast #tickets #appledore

🎪What's on today at Skern?!
Paula Byrne: Six Weeks by the Sea - The Summer Jane Austen Fell in Love, 10.30am
Fern Britton: A Cornish Legacy, 12.30pm🎗Mitchell and Dickinson
Ian Leslie: John and Paul - A Love Story in Songs, 2.15pm 🎼
Duncan Harding: The Criminal Mind, 4pm
Michael Sheridan: The Red Emperor - Xi Jinping and his New China, 5.45pm
Wine Tasting with Susy Atkins: A Road Trip Around Iberia, 5.45pm 🍷
Helen Lederer: Not That I'm Bitter, 7.30pm 📸 Steve Ullathorne
Tickets available from www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk
#fernbritton #HelenLederer #tickets #appledore #skern

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