
Who We Are
Our Trustees, Festival Committee, and dedicated Volunteers work throughout the year to plan, organise and then deliver our fabulous festival. We are particularly grateful to our dedicated Patrons who give up their valuable time to advise and support us and, in doing so, help to ensure the Appledore Book Festival continues to grow and deliver a diverse and inspirational festival.
Our Patrons

Nick Arnold
Nick is one of the world’s most successful science writers for young readers. He has written more than 50 books and sold more than 20 million books in 40 languages.

Tanya Landman
Carnegie Medal winning Tanya Landman is the author of more than forty books for children and young adults.

Jeremy Vine
Jeremy is an award winning broadcaster.

Ann Cleeves
Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger.

Judi Spiers
Judi is a well-known broadcaster and presenter.

Richard Wolfenden-Brown
Richard is Director of The Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington and has programmed live events at the venue since 1999.

Andy Cooper
Andy is a journalist and editor with over 30 years' experience in national, regional and local media.

Sarah Stein
Sarah has been working in the literary world all of her adult life and is now a restaurant, production company and bookshop owner.
Trustees
Richard Cable (Chair) | Jan Thompson (Company Secretary) | Susan Sandon | Pat Hadley-Smith
Patricia Lancaster | Judith Byrne | Liz Eggleton | David Stevenson (Technology)
Committee
Jane Beaton (Festival Director)
Penny Reardon-Morgan (Friends’ Coordinator | Dianne Miller (Finance) | Sara Mendosa (Operations)
Patricia Lancaster (Festival Fringe Coordinator) | Joy Smart (Community Liaison) | Patricia Morris (Health & Safety)
Pat Hadley-Smith (Schools Administrator) | David Carter (Historical advice) | Pat Glover (Secondary Schools Liaison)
Judi Unwin (Children’s Events and Torridge Primary Schools Liaison) | Marilyn Young (North Devon Primary Schools Liaison)