Althorp House Literary Festival 2025

Bright blue skies and sunshine welcome us to Althorp House for the fir,st day of the 2025 Literary Festival. It's the first one since 2018, and my first since visits in 2016 & 2017. We are 20 minutes early and the gates are yet to open. A small, but enthusiastic group has gathered in anticipation. The main topic of conversation is just who they are looking forward to seeing. It's a lengthy walk from the Gatehouse up the drive to our first assembly point 'The Stable Block'. Made from local Ironstone it was built to house 100 horses and 40 grooms, in the early 1700s. In World War 1, Canadian infantrymen were billeted here.

With Peter James

Today we have a Cafe, Gift Shop, Waterstones and a Pizza stand. We kill a bit of time until we get the call to make our way over to the main Grade I listed stately home. The appearance has changed dramatically from the original Tudor Red brick building of 1788. It has been the Spencer family home for the last 500 years. It has probably never looked better than it does today. I am really looking forward to seeing one of my favourite Authors at 12:00 'Peter James'. In one of the other rooms 'Clare Balding' will be holding court at the same time. Peter James is introduced as the greatest living Crime-writer having received countless awards over a glittering career. It is though for his crime series featuring Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, which have sold 21 million copies worldwide and have given him 20 consecutive UK Sunday Times number ones he is best known. I am a huge fan of the Brighton based Detective and have read every book he has written. He has also written supernatural thrillers, spy fiction, science-based thrillers, a children's novel, and the novella 'The Perfect Murder'. ITV have also dramatised the Roy Grace series and is currently filming Series 5 which will bring things pretty much up to date.

I managed to get a few words with him too after his hour long talk. Which by the way was extremely interesting I must say. He also spoke about his interest in the Paranormal after an experience he encountered in a former home. I was glad that one of the books I took for signing was 'The House on Cold Hill'. During his talk he had spoken about spending time talking to murderers in various Prisons. I shared my experience visiting a friend who is serving a life sentence for murder too. A lot of his writing is helped by input from his local Constabulary. His character 'Roy Grace' is very much based on on a real-life former police officer, Detective Dave Gaylor , who helped James after a burglary many years ago.

It was a real thrill to meet Peter after so many years of reading his books. By the time I had joined the queue and got the books signed it was time to move on the next guest speaker. Quite a contrast from someone who has written 36 novels to someone who has recently written her debut book. Chloe Dalton has documented her discovery of an abandoned Baby Hare (Leveret) and her battle against the odds to give it a chance of survival. 'Raising Hare is an account of this most unexpected relationship, and the challenges that had to be overcome along the way. I'm in good company for this talk as Earl Spencer and his new partner Dr Cat Jarman are also in attendance in the next row. You might think the Author to be a wildlife rescue expert, however the situation is way out of her comfort zone. Her background is as a political adviser and foreign policy specialist. It was during the Covid lockdown that she moved back into the countryside and the adventure started. I am a huge fan of Hares and think they get a rough deal all round. They live above ground all year round in all sorts of weathers. They are persecuted in the name of sport and receive no protection whatsoever. Chloe is very much pushing for a 'close season' when there is no shooting or coursing. The Bill is currently at the second reading stage with The House of Lords.

It is an excellent session and I am struck that the Hare is given such autonomy, and most certainly isn't regarded as a pet. There are strict boundaries in place for the Hare to one day hopefully return to the wild and have a family of her own.'Raising Hare' was shortlisted for Waterstones book of the year as well as several high profile awards. I purchased my copy and very much look forward to reading in the near future.

With David Baddiel

Just time for a quick brew over at The Stables courtyard before the next speaker. This time it is a much bigger room for 'David Baddiel', probably around 130 people gathered. I manage to find a seat towards the back. Hi main focus today will be his latest book release 'My Family'. A memoir of a childhood growing up in a dysfunctional family in 60's & 70's London. Despite the sadness of his fathers Dementia, and his mothers infidelities the story is told with great warmth and humour. There have been several other books that he references too such as 'Jews Don't Count' and 'The God Desire'. He tells the audience about the writing of 'Three Lions' the football anthem from the 1996 Euros. How one of his happiest moments was when 78,000 fans sang the song in unison after beating Scotland a Wembley. He describes himself as a 'fundamental Atheist when it comes to religion. Finding himself in a gap between his own thoughts and his Jewish heritage. I really enjoyed the references to the brilliant 'Fantasy Football League' TV show. A series he presented with Frank Skinner that started in the early 1990's.A Jewish audience member raised a question regarding an article in the ' Jews Don't Count' book, something he disagreed with. This concerned an apology to the footballer Jason Lee. I thought he handled a tricky situation very well indeed.It was a really enjoyable talk, lots of wit, stories and a touch of sadness too. He was good to chat to as well. I was a bit confused why he asked me about my children though? Then about a Nieces or Nephews I had? It turned out that the book I had hastily purchased was actually one of his children's books ....... He said that I would still enjoy it though!