Programme - Mynewsdesk

ELGIN
LIBRARY
Elgin Library
15th - 19th September
Book now on 01343 562623 or online at
www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Celebrating Scottish culture, writing and illustration,
promoting reading and encouraging debate
Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015
The annual Spirit of Moray Book Festival is now established as a must attend event, a life
enhancing experience for all ages, drawing audiences from across Moray and beyond.
This year our programme for young people offers an exciting range of authors who will
entertain, educate and enthral and who will instil the importance of books and reading for
pleasure and learning.
We are delighted that our official launch event welcomes Ann Cleeves who will introduce
her latest novel in the Vera Stanhope series as part of her Scottish launch tour. 2015 is
Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink and we are delighted to feature Sue Lawrence who’ll share
her passion for Scottish cooking and baking, as well as Olive Geddes looking at Scotland’s
relationship with food and drink throughout history.
We have extended the programme to offer fascinating talks for afternoon audiences and our
Cobbs café at Elgin Library will be open to provide refreshments.
The festival is an opportunity to talk about and share books, reading preferences, dislikes,
favourite authors and titles. It will celebrate the power and importance of reading and we
look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be our best programme yet.
Booking Information
Booking Office opens 17th August.
By telephone call during library hours on – 01343 562623
Or online – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015 | 1
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Adult & Families Programme at a Glance
Tuesday 15th September
4pm
Andrew Greig
Between Sea and Border Lands
Adults
6.15pm
Spirit of Moray Book Festival launch – Jim Royan
Adults
6.30pm
Ann Cleeves
The Moth Catcher
Adults
8pm
Lesley Glaister
Little Egypt, Big Problems
Adults
Wednesday 16th September
4pm
Sue Lawrence
Lifting the Lid
Adults
6.30pm
Kirsty Wark
Adults
8pm
Bella Bathurst
The Lighthouse Stevensons
(sponsored by Elgin Writers Group)
Adults
Thursday 17th September
11am
Stories & Rhymes
4pm
Olive Geddes
Lifting the Lid: a history of Scottish cooking
6.30pm
Roger Hutchinson
St Kilda: A People’s History
8pm
James Oswald
Prayer for the Dead
Friday 18th September
4pm
Andrew Martin
The 39 steps at 100
6.30pm
Rosemary Goring
War in the North
nls
Families
Adults
Adults
Adults
nls
Adults
Adults
Saturday 19th September
11am
Bookbug Picnic
Families
2pm
Stories & Rhymes
Families
3pm
Mill Girls on Tour
Weaving Musical Threads
Adults
2 | Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Tuesday 15th September at 4pm
pre-launch event
Andrew Greig – Between Sea and Border Lands
£5/£4
Andrew Greig will talk about his latest novel, Fair Helen, based on
a Borders ballad, which he’ll likely sing. Andrew will then read from
Found At Sea, a poem sequence narrative of an open dinghy trip from
Stromness to overnight on the abandoned island of Cava. Some singing
and banjo are likely!
Andrew Grieg is the author of 21 books of poetry, novels and nonfiction, including 2004 Scottish Book of the Year Award In Another Light,
At the Loch of the Green Corrie, and The Return of John Macnab.
Tuesday 15th September at 6.15pm
Official Festival Launch
Jim Royan OBE, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Moray will launch the Spirit of Moray Book Festival
2015.
Tuesday 15th September at 6.30pm
Ann Cleeves – The Moth Catcher
£5/£4
Ann Cleeves, esteemed crime writing author and creator of TV’s Vera
and Shetland series, will introduce her new novel The Moth Catcher as
part of the launch tour, as well as talking about her writing career and
the ITV and BBC adaptations of her work.
Tuesday 15th September at 8pm
Lesley Glaister – Little Egypt, Big Problems
£5/£4
Lesley Glaister will talk about the difficulties she encountered writing her novel
Little Egypt and she may throw in a few poems too!
Lesley is the prize-winning author of thirteen novels, most recently, Little Egypt,
which was awarded the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize in 2014. Her short
stories have been anthologised and broadcast on Radio 4. She has written
drama for radio and stage and is having her first poetry pamphlet published
by Mariscat Press this year. Lesley is a Fellow of the RSL, teaches creative
writing at the University of St Andrews and lives in Edinburgh.
Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015 | 3
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Wednesday 16th September at 4pm
Sue Lawrence – Lifting the Lid
£5/£4
Well known cookery writer Sue Lawrence has recently released her
debut novel Fields of Blue Flax and although she will be sharing her
passion for cooking and in particular Scottish Baking she will also talk
about her new love, ‘fiction’
Wednesday 16th September at 6.30pm
Kirsty Wark in conversation £5/£4
Kirsty Wark is a journalist, broadcaster and writer who has presented
a wide range of BBC programmes over the past twenty seven years
including Newsnight and the weekly Arts and Cultural review and
comment show, The Review Show. She has conducted long form
interviews with everyone from Margaret Thatcher to Madonna, Harold
Pinter to Pete Doherty, Damien Hirst to George Clooney and the likes
of Toni Morrison, Donna Tartt and Philip Roth. Her home has always
been Scotland and her family’s connection to Arran goes back over
many years.
The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle, her debut novel, was shortlisted for the
Saltire First Book of the Year Award. At present she is working on her
second novel.
Wednesday 16th September at 8.00pm
Bella Bathhurst – The Lighthouse Stevensons
FREE
Bella Bathurst writes both fiction and non-fiction. Her first novel,
Special, was published in 2002 and was long listed for the Orange Prize.
Her first non-fiction book, The Lighthouse Stevensons, was a national
bestseller, won a Somerset Maugham prize and was shortlisted for
the Guardian First Book Award. She has also written The Wreckers,
published in 2004, and The Bicycle Book, published in 2011 by
HarperPress. She lives in Scotland and London.
Elgin Writers is a well established club for aspiring authors and writers.
They meet every fortnight in Elgin Library from March until June and
again from September to December. For further information see their
website: www.elgin-writers.moonfruit.com
4 | Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Thursday 17th September at 4pm
Olive Geddes – Lifting the Lid: a history of Scottish cooking
FREE
nls
Using the Library’s rich collections of manuscript and
printed recipe books, this talk explores Scotland’s changing
relationship with food and drink over the centuries.
The Scots have been branded the ‘sick man of Europe’ and their eating
habits condemned yet, before the industrial age, the rural poor were
said to be ‘remarkably healthy’ with a simple, frugal but wholesome
diet despite the limited availability of food. The talk will use a variety
of material – manuscripts, printed books, household accounts and
tradesmen’s bills – to contrast the richness and diversity of Scotland’s
larder and the myths and traditions associated with its peoples’ diet.
Olive Geddes is a Manuscripts Curator at the National Library of
Scotland with a particular interest in Scottish social history
Thursday 17th September at 6.30pm
Roger Hutchinson – St Kilda: A People’s History £5/£4
St Kilda: A People’s History explores and portrays the real life of the St
Kildans from the Stone Age to the 20th century. Roger Hutchinson, a
bestselling author with 40 years’ experience of Hebridean islands, digs
deep into the archives to paint a vivid picture of the life and death, work
and play of a small, proud and self-sufficient people.
Thursday 17th September at 8pm
James Oswald – Prayer for the Dead
£5/£4
James Oswald is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Detective
Inspector McLean novels and the epic fantasy series The Ballad of Sir
Benfro. When he’s not writing, he’s tending his fold of pedigree Highland
cattle and flock of New Zealand Romney sheep. He will be talking
about his latest novel, Prayer for the Dead, explaining the inspiration for
the tale and how he fits writing bestselling crime fiction novels around
the day to day business of running a livestock farm.
Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015 | 5
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Friday 18th September at 4pm
Andrew Martin – The 39 Steps at 100: celebrating John Buchan’s ‘shocker’
The Thirty Nine Steps, the classic yarn of a man on
the run, was first published in July 1915. Andrew
Martin, Curator of Literature and the Arts in General
Collections at the National Library of Scotland, will
discuss the enduring appeal of John Buchan, as his most
famous creation reaches 100.
Friday 18th September at 6.30pm
Rosemary Goring – War in the North
FREE
nls
£5/£4
Ten years after the Battle of Flodden, the borderlands of Scotland and
England are plagued by violent gangs and warfare. In her novel Dacre’s
War, the sequel to her debut After Flodden, Rosemary Goring shows
the very personal conflict between Baron Dacre, Henry VIII’s corrupt
man in the north, and Adam Crozier, a charismatic Scottish clan chief
who has vowed to avenge his father’s murder. Rosemary, who is a
journalist with The Herald, will be in conversation with Alan Taylor, the
editor of the Scottish Review of Books, and her husband.
OPEN EVERY DAY AT ELGIN LIBRARY
OPEN
ell
We s airy
nD
Arra ream
Ice C sell
We airy
nD
Arra ream
Ice C
EVERY DAY AT ELGIN LIBRARY
Light Snacks
OPENING HOURS
Award Winning Cakes
Mon-Sat: 9-5
Home Made Soups
Sun: 10-4
Gluten
Free Options
T: 01343
562634
Light Snacks
OPENING
HOURS
Sandwiches
Elgin Library, Cooper Park,
Award
Winning Cakes
CAFÉ
Mon-Sat:
9-5
Elgin IV30 1HS
Outside Catering
Home
Made Soups
Sun: 10-4
6 | Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015
Gluten Free Options
T: 01343 To
562634
book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Sandwiches
Elgin
Library,
Cooper
Park,
A6 Advert.indd 1
25/06/2015 12:17:17
CAFÉ
Elgin IV30 1HS
Outside Catering
Saturday 19thSeptember at 11am Bookbug Picnic FREE
Bring along your cuddly toys to join Bookbug for a fun picnic with songs
and rhymes. For families with young children.
Saturday 19thSeptember at 3pm
Mill Girls on Tour – Weaving Musical Threads
£5/£4
50 unique minutes of poetry, music and theatre, portraying with heart
and humour, the lives and also the strength of friendships of the mill
workers. It is based on Paisley lives, yet has a relevance to all mill
workers. The cast includes the poets, scriptwriters, actresses and the
superb international singer/songwriter, Anna MacDonald.
Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015 | 7
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
8 | Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Schools Programme at a Glance
Wednesday 16th September
Time
Author/Illustrator
Age
9.30am
Nick Sharratt
P1-3
9.30am
Pamela Butchart
P3-5
11.15am
Jonathan Meres
P6-7
11.15am
Nick Sharratt
P1-3
1.30pm
Jonathan Meres
P6-7
1.30pm
Pamela Butchart
P3-5
Author/Illustrator
Age
Thursday 17th September
Time
9.30am
Tony Bonning
P1-3
9.30am
Matthew Fitt
P6-7
11.15am
Tony Bonning
P1-3
11.15am
Nick Sharatt
P4-5
11.15am
NLS workshop – Jekyll & Hyde
P5-7
1.30pm
Nick Sharatt
P4-5
1.30pm
NLS workshop – Jekyll & Hyde
P5-7
Author/Illustrator
Age
Friday 18th September
Time
9.30am
Tony Bonning
P1-3
9.30am
Maggi Gibson
P5-7
11.15am
Tony Bonning
P1-3
11.15am
Maggi Gibson
P5-7
Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015 | 9
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Wednesday 16th September
Eight books into the bestselling, award-winning, laugh-out-loud-series
and life isn’t getting any fairer for poor old Norm. But things can only get
better, right? WRONG! If only Brian and Dave hadn’t found Dad’s million
year old aftershave. If only Mikey wasn’t feeling lower than a snake’s
backside. If only Chelsea would hurry up and move! Come and meet
Norm’s creator, Jonathan Meres. Hear him say stuff. Ask him anything
you want. He might even sing.
Wednesday 16th September
Teachers taken over by aliens... spies giving themselves away by loving
school dinners... headmasters who are CLEARLY vampire rats...
Welcome to the world of Pamela Butchart! Come and hear her talk
about her laugh-out-loud books, which perfectly capture the craziness of
a primary school where the impossible becomes possible ... where crisps
are twinned with people (and vice versa) and the last packet of Monster
Munch can make or break a friendship.
Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th September
Nick Sharratt has illustrated more than 250 books for children including
the best-selling picture books You Choose, Shark In The Dark and Pants.
He is also the illustrator of Jacqueline Wilson’s stories. In these sessions
he’ll be sharing some of his favourite books, showing how he creates his
characters and revealing some of his drawing tips.
Thursday 17th September
FUN WI WORDS wi Matthew Fitt. Translate in and oot o Scots and
Doric wi the help o Mr Mingin, some Eejits and Asterix the Gallus.
Writer and teacher Matthew Fitt will be talking about Scots and Doric
and giving tips on how read and write Scots versions of well-known
novels and poems for children and young people.
10 | Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Thursday 17th September
nls
The Strange Story of Jekyll & Hyde. In this
workshop, pupils will discover the story of Robert
Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde and will find
out more about the author and the time he lived in. Exploring character
through drama, writing, and drawing, the pupils will also have a chance
to hear some of the original Stevenson text, and to find out about the
tales of Victorian science and medicine which inspired the story. We will
also introduce the ideas of ‘duality’ and disguise, and look at how these
can be used effectively in stories and creative writing.
Thursday 17th & Friday 18th September
Tony Bonning, alias Aiken Drum, is one of the most-sought after
children’s performers in Southern Scotland. His wacky high-energy
shows combine song, rhyme and story and hold even the youngest
spellbound. At ease with audiences large or small Tony promises a top
quality performance.
Friday 18th September
Maggi Gibson writes the Seriously Sassy books about Sassy Wilde and
her crazy friends and family. Sassy likes helping people, but somehow
or other things usually go wrong for her - with disastrously funny
results. Oh, and she loves animals and wants to save the planet and
have a number one hit too! Maggi will talk about writing and making up
characters and storylines - and why we must all do our bit to be more
eco-aware. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll let you try Sassy’s Super EcoQuiz!”
Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015 | 11
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
12 | Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015 | 13
To book call – 01343 562623 or online at – www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
D-00970
nls
Festival Sales:Yeadon’s of Elgin and Banchory
All talks and workshops will be held in Elgin Library
Purchase a £35 Festival Ticket that allows access to any adult event at The
Spirit of Moray Book Festival 2015
Individual sessions are £5 and concessions £4.
Booking: call during library hours on - 01343 562623
Or book online www.moray.gov.uk/moraybookfestival
Booking Office is open from Monday 17th August
Book early to avoid disappointment!