'Blowers' Althorp Literary Festival 2017

'Blowers' 'My Dear Old Thing'

Enjoying some sun

The 14th Annual Althorp Literary Festival and my second visit to the event. Regulars may recall my seeing 'Paul Gambaccini' last year. This year the Festival has moved to a later date in the early Autumn rather than mid Summer. This years contributors include; John Challis, Judy Murray, Pam Ayres, Chris Ryan, Clare Balding, The Rev Richard Coles and Henry Blofeld. Personally I think I prefer the Festival at this time of the year but it was a nice day and I might think differently had it been a howling wind and driving rain. A lovely day though for a wander through the grounds taking the 'Roman' approach of going wherever we pleased until told otherwise....Rather than the 'Napoleonic' approach of waiting to be told where one can go and must not go. Walking past the marquee we bumped into 'Bernie Keith' of Radio Northampton who was with 'Rev Richard Coles'. Richard had been on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show the night before and was talking about his varied life from pop star to Parish Priest.

''The Oval' Lake

Our walk talk us to the 'Round Oval' as the lake is known, constructed in 1868. The summer house at the lakeside was bought in 1901 by John Poyntz, Fifth Earl Spencer, from Admiralty House gardens, London, for the sum of £3.00 and moved to the south of the Round Oval in 1926. It is now dedicated to Diana, Princess of Wales, with a central silhouette in black marble upon white marble, and on the left a tablet with a quotation from Diana on her willingness to undertake charitable works.

 

It is said that Princess Diana is buried on the island since her death in 1997. My wife for one would argue differently though believing Diana is with her father in the Church at Great Brington. Who knows? Certainly not me that is for sure but personally I think I would rather be on the lake surrounded by the birds and flowers.

'Round Oval'  from The Summer house

The Wendy House

We made our way back to the marquees and the crowd passing the outdoor swimming pool, tennis court and games room and it was almost impossible not to conjure up images of Diana enjoying herself growing up in this idyllic landscape. There was also probably the largest Wendy House you will ever see! I'm sure you could live in it.

It was time to start queuing for Blowers, only there wasn't a queue so we walked straight in sitting close to the front. Blowers has recently retired after over 40 years of broadcasting with TMS (Test Match Special) as well as writing for many other publications. He explained that at the age of 78 he felt that it was time to hang up the microphone before someone possibly suggested it was time to. He told tales from the commentary box both home and abroad paying tribute to colleagues past and present. After which he gave a question and answer session from the gathered audience. 





 As the questions started to drop off someone asked a horrible question about standards dropping off and some of the new TMS  team not being as good as the old ones. It was clearly an embarrassing moment for both the interviewer and Blowers. I thought that asking a follow up question about Pigeons would lighten the mood once again which it did. He told me afterwards that he very much liked my question. Afterwards came the chance to get his new book 'Over and Out' signed by the man himself.

We made our way out as the sun started to set on another Althorp Literary Festival. A lovely setting once again and the chance to take a few more photos of the house and landscape. Walking down the tree lined drive the stags in the fields had started their rut, Squirrels darted across the grass hurriedly hiding their stash off sweet chestnuts and acorns before winter arrives.