A BOOK festival will take over the town in spring.
Hexham Book Festival, which was founded in 2006, will involve discussions, novels and poetry events relating to the cost-of-living crisis, war in Europe and the increasing effects of climate change.
The main events programme, including film screenings and writing workshops, will run from April 26 until May 5, in venues including the Queen's Hall and Forum Cinema.
The festival has welcomed tens of thousands of people to its events, and in 2023 was back to pre-pandemic audience numbers.
READ MORE: New thriller novel set in Northumberland's countryside
David Nicholls, acclaimed writer of global bestseller One Day, Us and Starter for Ten, has been announced as one of the attending authors.
Politicians and commentators alike will visit Hexham to offer perspectives and opinions. The public can discuss with Wes Streeting, Ian Dunt, Nigel Fletcher, Raymond Newell and Will Hutton.
Writers will consider international politics, with Angus Hanton reflecting on American politics, Robin Niblett on Chinese matters, Subhadra Das on beliefs that founded the West and Liam Fox on the wars overseas which might be coming.
Liam aims to tell the story of water and the challenges it presents in a more complete way
than ever before.
Society – and what society might mean – is the topic for various writers and journalists speaking at this year’s festival.
Cathy Newman looks at pioneering women who broke the mould; Marianna Spring talks about online trolling and hate; Suzanne Heywood reveals what the impact of a very unorthodox childhood is; and Helen Russell shares what raising a child in Scandinavia looks like.
Hexham Book Festival will welcome farmer’s wife Helen Rebanks on the tough but rewarding life on the farm she and her farmer and campaigner husband James Rebanks have built in Cumbria; broadcaster and writer Stuart Maconie will regale with stories from walking across England; and food writer Pen Vogler brings her history of good food to life for audiences.
The full programme of more than 55 events, including book groups and interactive events, is available at www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk.
Susie Troup, director of Hexham Book Festival, says: “We’re thrilled so many wonderful writers, journalists, politicians and poets are coming to Hexham to headline events, and we can’t wait to hear what they have to say – especially in an election year, there’s a lot to talk about.”
Tickets went on general sale on March 4.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here