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Acquisition of an Affordable Collection - Alec Smith.
Alec Smith has a passion for books. He collects rare books, first editions, as well as letters and original documents. He has amassed an amazing collection of books over the years including some unique Tolkien and JK Rowling editions. A recent acquisition is a letter written by Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson a week before the Battle of Trafalgar eerily predicting his own death.
Alec will discuss how to put together a book collection without necessarily draining monetary resources, with newscaster, presenter and author John Suchet. He will also talk about what first inspired him, his successes and failures, joys and disappointments.
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Becoming the Ocean : Julian Carnell
Julian Carnell has been Director of The Sharpham Trust for over ten years. The Trust owns a historic estate on the banks of the river, downstream from Totnes, offering mindfulness retreats with a focus on reconnecting people to the natural world. Three years ago, he helped create the Wild Dart Partnership to bring together over twenty organisations, landowners and community groups with the aim of restoring the health of the river.
Julian will talk about his new book Becoming the Ocean – a River Dart Journey Through the Wild, the Ancient and the Sacred which follows the Dart from its source high in the peatlands of Dartmoor, through valleys of temperate rainforest, the farming lowlands and the estuary before reaching the sea at Dartmouth. Along the way discovering the amazing history, people and wildlife associated with the river and what we can do to try and reverse its decline and the decline of all our rivers.
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Bosun Bob – Erin Allgrove
Bob and his feline friend have escaped shipwreck and are off on a nautical treasure hunt. They meet many friendly animals along the way who guide them to an oceanic volcano where the treasure is hidden and guarded by a mysterious creature. Will the friends find the treasure, will they escape the volcano?!
This beautifully written tale is the perfect sequel to Bosun Bob The Salty Old Sea Dog. Created by Erin Allgrove and beautifully illustrated by Emily Langstaff Ellis this book and the creatures inside will really capture the imagination of children and adults alike, perfect for reading together.
Yachting Monthly Magazine
FREE TO ATTEND
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Dartmouth History Research Group.
Come along to this session if you are interested in our fascinating local history. Members of the group will be available to talk about their work, and their locally published books will be available to buy. Their most recent publication is: When War Came to the Dart, by Gail Ham and Hilary Sunman, which combines the memories of local people with official records and other contemporary accounts to chart the impact as the communities of the Dart were immersed in war.
Dartmouth History Research Group has published 40 books and booklets on the area’s history. Books have been written on local figures including Thomas Newcomen, John Davis, John Flavel and Willam Veale; and on local places including Hawley’s Fortalice, The Castle Hotel, Bayards Cove and Slapton Sands.
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Dartmouth Writers Walk : Jonathan Turner
A 1.5 hour guided walk around Dartmouth visiting the places where Dartmouth writers lived and worked.
Hear stories of a non-conformist preacher, banned from Dartmouth, whose sermons are still in print today; of the Victorian politician and inventor who wrote a gothic ghost story for his friend, about Dartmouth’s Gomerock Tower. Listen to poems about the River Dart, and Townstal Church, by a Dartmouth artist and see his painting of the Governor of Dartmouth Castle in the Guildhall. See Flora Thomson’s house with its stunning harbour views, where she wrote her trilogy Larkrise to Candleford, and Chritopher Milne’s (aka Robin) bookshop, a Dartmouth landmark for over 30 years. Visit the grave of a Medieval merchant and privateer, the inspiration for Chaucer’s Shipman’s Tale, and Dartmouth Museum founded by writer and historian Percy Russell, author of the first and best-selling History of Dartmouth and its Port.
As well as the literary sites, you will see the heart of Dartmouth, its backstreets, medieval and Tudor buildings; its steep steps, and magnificent harbour views.
The walk is 1.25 miles long and will involve two short climbs up to wonderful viewpoints, and some steep steps down again!
Maximum number for each walk: 15
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Family History as Inspiration for Writing - Alison Huntingford
Alison Huntingford is an only child of two only children and so has always felt a distinct lack of family.
This inspired her to research her family history and led her to write her debut novel, ‘The Glass Bulldog’, based on the true story of one of her ancestors, which was nominated for the Walter Scott prize for Historical Fiction in 2019. Her second full length novel, ‘A Ha’penny Will Do’ was published January 2022. 'Dance A Fearful Jig', her third historical novel, was published in January 2024.
Alison has a degree in Humanities with Literature and has always enjoyed reading, especially the great writers of the 19th Century. In September 2021 Alison set up the South Hams Authors Network – an organisation which aims to support and promote the work of Devon writers. This is a free, informal group which meets on a monthly basis and has a devoted and loyal following. The group have been involved in book readings at libraries and shops, stalls at local fayres, radio interviews and local newspaper articles. This culminated in the much praised Dartmoor Edge Literary Fest in October 2022, followed by the South Hams Literary Festival around Ivybridge in 2023.
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Patrick Gale : Love Lane
Patrick Gale – in conversation with Sophie Pierce
From beloved, bestselling author Patrick Gale comes a searing portrayal of escape and the power of love, home and a family.
Love Lane is a brilliant new standalone novel featuring characters from Patrick’s Costa-shortlisted novel A Place Called Winter.
1950s Northern England. Three generations of men, two of women.
When veteran Canadian wheat farmer, Harry Cane is brutally obliged to sell up and sail home to an England transformed by two world wars, his arrival triggers unwelcome self-examination for the family he abandoned, and for whom he has never been more than a distant myth.
His daughter feels duty bound to take him in but is riven with doubt and ambushed by a long-buried anger she has never before expressed. Harry's effect on the next generation is less predictable and enables his granddaughter to deal with an unspeakable trauma, while her gentle husband feels seen for who he truly is. Can Harry stay and make a new life before
it's too late, or will he find himself cast out again, punished for having witnessed and understood too much?
From the rural plains of Canada to 1950s Liverpool and Yorkshire, Love Lane is a searing
portrayal of escape and entrapment, and a powerful exploration of what home and family
can really be.
Patrick Gale was born on the Isle of Wight. He spent his infancy at Wandsworth Prison, which his father governed, then grew up in Winchester before going to Oxford University. He now lives on a farm near Land's End. One of this country's best-loved
novelists, his most recent works are A Perfectly Good Man, the Richard and Judy bestseller Notes From An Exhibition, the Costa-shortlisted A Place Called Winter and Mother's Boy. His original BBC television drama, Man In An Orange Shirt, was shown to great acclaim in 2017 as part of the BBC's Queer Britannia series, leading viewers around the world to discover his novels.
Love Lane has been selected for this year’s Book Festival Big Read
Patrick Gale will be in conversation with Sophie Pierce.
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Rock Idols - Sophie Pierce and Alex Murdin
From devils and druids to timeless tors, join artist Alex Murdin and writer Sophie Pierce for an illustrated talk exploring the magic and mystery of Dartmoor. Their new book, Rock Idols: a guide to Dartmoor in 28 tors, is thought to be the first illustrated guide to Dartmoor in many years, with new, original drawings of these mysterious monoliths. Sophie and Alex will share their adventures exploring the tors, as well as some of the fascinating folklore, geology and history of Dartmoor. They will show Alex's new drawings of the tors, as well as intriguing Victorian etchings of some of Dartmoor's most famous features including Scorhill Stone Circle and the Dewerstone.
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Roger and James Deakins : Reflections: On Cinematography
Roger & James Deakins – in conversation with Monty Halls
We are delighted that Roger and James Deakins can join us this year to talk about Roger’s fascinating career in cinematography, as described in his new book, Reflections: On Cinematography.
From two-time Academy Award winner from 16 nominations, and five-time BAFTA award winner from 11 nominations, Sir Roger Deakins - widely regarded as the greatest cinematographer of all time - a one-of-a-kind visual memoir, telling his life's story by way of his iconic, beloved films, including The Shawshank Redemption, Skyfall, Fargo, Blade Runner 2049, The Big Lebowski, 1917, and No Country for Old Men, among others.
Over the course of a brilliant 50-year career, Sir Roger Deakins has proven to be the greatest artist & visionary that the craft of cinematography has ever known.
In Reflections: On Cinematography, Deakins offers his fans and film enthusiasts a one-of-a-kind look into his life and improbable road to Hollywood immortality. Readers will discover how "the boy from Torquay, England" overcame a troubled childhood to enter his way into art school; his fortuitous entry into world of documentary filmmaking (including a yacht race around the world); to shooting groundbreaking music videos such as Herbie Hancock's "Rock It," to his singular film career, including his longtime collaborations with the Coen Brothers, Sam Mendes, and Denis Villeneuve.
Filled with never-before-seen storyboards, sketches, and diagrams, Deakins shows readers how he created some of the most iconic scenes in the most beloved films of all time. Through candid, lyrical prose, Deakins reflects on his life and each of his projects; how he helped shape them, and how they shaped him.
A truly unique visual memoir, Reflections is for film fans and general readers alike, and for anyone looking to find inspiration, beauty, and creativity by looking through the singular lens with which Roger views the world.
Roger & James Deakins will be in conversation with Monty Halls.
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Rosie Nixon : From Magazines to Mentor: How I Reinvented My Life
Rosie Nixon is a visionary leader, author and coach. She is the author of four novels and one non-fiction collection. After a long career in women’s magazines, latterly as the award-winning editor-in-chief of Hello! Magazine, Rosie is now a qualified coach.
In 2024, she founded Rosie’s Reinvention retreats, a series of day retreats supporting midlife women through career, business and wellbeing transformations, enabling them to realise a more fulfilling way of life.
Rosie will be talking to Erin Allgrove about her own journey from burn-out to the realisation that something in her life needed to change. Reinvention became the answer.
Rosie’s book, the PRO Method (August 2026) explains three simple steps to reinventing your life.
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The Storyteller’s Journey : Keith Rossiter and Jonathan Posner
Join writers Jonathan Posner and Keith Rossiter on an adventure into the world of imagination.
Jonathan Posner is a full-time author and publisher based in Exeter. He has written and published six action-adventure novels set in Tudor England. He has also written and published two anthologies; one of short stories and the other of ‘old bloke having a rant’ articles. Earlier works include libretto and lyrics for three full-length stage musicals plus a one-act play. Jonathan gets a thrill from seeing his books in print and getting great feedback from readers, which is why he is so keen to share what he has learned about the craft of writing with others.
Keith Rossiter is a former journalist turned full-time novelist. He has published one thriller set in Greece, The Chaos Game, a young adult novel White Raven, and a novel for middle-grade readers, Shadow Lands: The Poacher’s Trap. He is also a screenwriter and filmmaker.
He admits that in the years since leaving journalism he has been on a steep learning curve – and he is eager to share that adventure with new and improving writers.
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Tim Spicer : An Axe and Four Balloons
An Axe and Four Balloons is Tim Spicer’s fascinating biography of Brian Franks, who has been accredited as one of the founding fathers of the SAS, although until now, he has been largely unknown outside the Special Operations world.
Brian Franks was loved by officers and soldiers alike; he was tough, charismatic and charming. Initially, he joined the hotel business, but in 1939 Franks was commissioned into the Middlesex Yeomanry. Soon he gravitated to the world of more esoteric military operations, which suited his unconventional temperament, moving first to the GHQ Reconnaissance Regiment or ‘Phantom’, then to the Commandos. He became the Brigade Major of the Special Service Brigade in 1943 and took part in the invasion of Sicily, and the operation at Termoli in Italy where he won the MC.
He was posted to 2 SAS in early 1944. He commanded the Regiment on operations in France, Italy, Germany and Norway. During Operation LOYTON in the Vosges mountains in September 1944, he parachuted in to lead operations behind enemy lines. Thirty-one of his soldiers were captured, tortured and executed by the Germans. Franks was determined to avenge them and set up an “off the books” war crimes hunting team to bring the perpetrators to justice. For Operation LOYTON he was awarded the DSO, Croix de Guerre and Legion d’Honneur.
Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer OBE has led a life filled with action and adventure. During his twenty years in the British Army, he saw active service in Northern Ireland, the Falklands campaign, the Gulf War and the Balkans, as well as serving in the Far East, Cyprus and Germany.
Key appointments have included Chief of Staff of an Armoured Brigade, Staff Officer at the Directorate of Special Forces and Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, among many others.
Over the course of this illustrious military career, Spicer has developed extensive knowledge of intelligence, counterterrorism, complex relations and protective security. In 2001 he founded the private security company Aegis, which has counted the UK, US and Italian governments among its clients.
He is author of An Unorthodox Soldier: Peace and War and the Sandline Affair (2000), A Dangerous Enterprise (2021), and A Suspicion of Spies (2024).
Praise for An Axe and Four Ballons:
“Gripping, intensively researched and a fitting tribute to one of the founders of Special Forces soldiering. A fabulous read about an inspirational commander of the wartime SAS.” DAMIEN LEWIS, author of the SAS: Great Escapes series.
“Tim Spicer has an amazing superpower among authors of discovering fascinating and
vitally important figures whom history has somehow ignored or sidelined, and to bring
them alive with vividness and immediacy. In this well-researched, grippingly written and terrific story, he also provides profound insights into the theory, nature and practice of courage under fire, something he knows a good deal about from personal experience.” ANDREW ROBERTS, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny
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