FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE: THE STEYNING BOOKSHOP • 106 HIGH STREET • 01903 812062

Steyning Festival would like to thank St Andrew’s Primary School and the Friends of St Andrew's Primary School for their generous sponsorship of all the children’s author events

SATURDAY 23 MAY, 2.30pm to 3.30pm, Steyning Library, FREE
Elmer the Elephant, a festival special story time and
craft event for 4-7 yrs
Listen to some elephant stories. Help make a display of Elmer and friends. Please wear old clothes or bring an overall or apron. Numbers are limited so get your free tickets from the library.

Literary Lunch sponsored by Wilton Park, Tuesday 26 May. Doors open at 11.45 for 12 noon prompt start. Tickets £10, to include a two course lunch, available from the Steyning Bookshop Box Office

This year saw the launch of the Steyning Festival Short Story Competition judged by local author and tutor Greg Mosse. The prize-giving and readings of the winning stories will take place in the sumptuous surroundings of Wiston House, Washington, the impressive C16th Grade 1 listed building managed by Wilton Park, sponsors of this event.. There will then be a two-course lunch, which will take place in the Grand Hall. The event will finish by 2.30pm, in time for those with tickets to A Gardeners World at Wiston in the afternoon to take part in the walk.. See WALKS page for further details.

The Short Story Competition First Prize will be a Weekend Creative Writing course donated by West Dean College. www.westdean.org.uk

Steyning Festival would like to thank Wilton Park and West Dean College for their generous sponsorships.

WEDNESDAY 27 MAY, The Steyning Bookshop Garden Marquee, 11am, FREE
Storytime for 7-11’s. The Petfinders’ Club
Calling all animal lovers! Liss Norton, Steyning children’s author, will be reading from The Pet Finders Club, a story series for 8 to 11 year olds. If you love pets and you haven’t discovered these books yet, come along and find out what you’re missing...

THURSDAY 28 MAY, The Steyning Bookshop Garden Marquee , 2.30pm, FREE Tickets in advance
Meet the Children’s Author: Mini Grey
A real treat! Don’t miss an afternoon of stories and fun making things for children ages 4-9 with the wonderful Mini Grey, author and illustrator of the prizewinning books Biscuit Bear, Egg Drop and Traction Man is Here.

Thursday 28th May 7pm, Steyning Grammar School Theatre, £8/£6 concs
HISTORICAL MYSTERY WRITERS EVENING
What is the enduring appeal of the historical mystery novel? How does authentic detail and plot combine to make an engrossing read? Four highly successful authors meet for an evening of discussion to answer these and other questions. C.J.Sansom (Winter in Madrid, Revelation), Mark Mills (The Savage Garden, The Information Officer), Cassandra Clark (Hangman Blind) and R.S Downie (Ruso and the Demented Doctor )will be chaired by Chris Taylor of New Writing South as they reveal the secrets of their research and give fascinating insights into the way that they combine historical detail with the tight plotting of a thriller.

SUNDAY 31 MAY, Steyning Cricket Club Pavilion, 7pm, £5
Detour de France with Michael Simkins
After a wonderful afternoon of cricket and laughter at last year’s Festival, we are delighted to welcome back the actor, cricket enthusiast and author of “Fatty Batter”, Michael Simkins. He and his team of actors and friends, the Baldwins, will play another match against our local team and afterwards he will talk about his latest book “Detour de France, An Englishman in Search of a Continental Education”.

Monday 1st June, The Steyning Bookshop Garden Marquee, 4pm, FREE Tickets in advance
FROZEN IN TIME 50s FUN!
A trip back in time with bestselling novelist Ali Sparkes. Kids - have a taste of the 1950’s when your grandparents were young - in fact bring them along if you like! There’ll be ginger beer and 50’s style sweeties and a quiz to find out if you’re a 21st Century Kid or a Fifties Throwback. Whether you’re into Shapeshifter, Monster Makers, or her latest book Frozen In Time - come here after school to meet this great author. Suitable for ages 7-13

TUESDAY 2 JUNE, The Steyning Bookshop Garden Marquee ,4pm, FREE
Meet the Children’s Authors: Deborah Allwright, Jill Atkins, Ali Sparkes
Children and adults can put questions to Jill Atkins, author of many books including Sophie’s Secret War and The Great Fire of London, Deborah Allwright illustrator of great picture books including The Night Pirates, and Dinosaur Starts School, and to popular Ali Sparkes author of the famous Shapeshifter and Monstermaker books, back from her second day in a Steyning school.

TUESDAY 2 JUNE, Penfold Hall, 7.30pm, FREE
The Cuthman Lectures: Don Cubitt
Don Cupitt has been called ‘the most radical theologian in the world ‘and his ideas have frequently provoked much hostile response. In his writing, and in the various societies he has fostered, Don Cupitt is developing a new philosophy, new ethics, new religious thought for a new epoch. Don studied Natural Sciences, Theology and Philosophy of Religion at Cambridge. He was ordained as Church of England priest in 1960 and stopped officiating at public worship in the early 1990s. He has a Life Fellowship at Emmanuel College where he taught Philosophy of Religion. The Cuthman Lectures explore contemporary issues relating to religion, belief and ethics. Information on other Cuthman Lectures from the Parish Council Office, Penfold Hall. 01903 813276.

Wednesday 3rd june, 2pm to 4pm, Steyning Library, Free
The Big Festival Read
All Steyning reading groups are invited to read ‘Winter in Madrid’ by C J Sansom. Then join us in a discussion at the Steyning Library where you can meet other reading groups. Copies will be available from the library.

WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE,The Steyning Bookshop Garden Marquee, 4pm, FREE
Meet the authors and illustrators David and Ronda Armitage and Jane Ray
A chance to meet the wonderful illustrator Jane Ray at a story session and signing alongside Ronda and David Armitage authors of the popular children’s Lighthouse
Keeper series.

WEDNESDAY 3RD JUNE, 8pm, The Norfolk Arms, £5/£4 concs
ALL MOUTH
An evening of performance poetry from some of the country’s most dynamic spoken word artists, featuring Rosy Carrick, Jonny Fluffypunk and Brendan Cleary, with compere Toby Amies. Plus OPEN MIC: got the urge to perform your work in front of a larger audience than the bathroom mirror? Sign up early for a 5 minute slot.

WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE, Steyning Library, 7pm, £2
PETS IN PROSPECT
An entertaining evening for animal lovers of all ages with vet and writer Malcolm Welshman. His first patient was a rhino at London Zoo, his first published article on soldier ants ! Malcolm Welshman tells of his encounters with eccentric pets and their even more eccentric owners and his world travels as a consultant for the care of exotic animals. His James Herriot-style first novel, Pets in Prospect, based on his experiences at a Sussex veterinary hospital, was chosen by Anna Raeburn on Radio 4’s Book of the Week.

THURSDAY 4 JUNE, The Steyning Bookshop Garden Marquee , 4pm, FREE
MEET THE CHILDREN’S AUTHOR: CAROLINE LAWRENCE
Steyning is excited to welcome Caroline Lawrence, author of the excellent ‘Roman Mysteries’ series which has a huge following among children aged 9 upwards.So do come and hear about Caroline’s great books

FRIDAY JUNE 5TH MAY, 11am, Jarvis, Jarvis Lane, Steyning, FREE tickets in advance, Maximum 25 seats
POETRY READING BY GEORGE COCKMAN: CHARLES DALMON, THE FORGOTTEN POET LAUREATE OF SUSSEX
Born in Shoreham, 1862, and brought up in Washington, Dalmon had five volumes of poetry published with many verses about the Chanctonbury area. He knew Edward Thomas, Arthur Ransome, Gustav Holst, Franklin and Valentine Dyall and Conrad Noel of Thaxted - George has been researching his life and work for many years

FRIDAY 5 JUNE, St Andrews Primary School, 3.30pm – 4.30pm, FREE
MEET THE CHILDREN’S AUTHOR: PAUL GERAGHTY
All children from the area can come and take this great opportunity to meet popular author and illustrator Paul Geraghty after school at St Andrews School Steyning. Paul will be signing copies of his great picture books like Dinosaur in Danger, The Hunter and the Hoppameleon.

FRIDAY 5 JUNE, Springwells Hotel, 7.30pm, £5
THREE SUSSEX AUTHORS
Fascinating short talks from three local authors who have written books for the innovative Lewes publisher Snake River Press, whose beautifully produced books on topics of local interest have charmed readers all over the county and beyond. David Arscott, ‘A Tour Along the Sussex Coast’; Lorraine Harrison, ‘Inspiring Sussex Gardeners’ and ‘20 Sussex Gardens’; and Rob Yarham, ‘Bird Watching in Sussex’.