Shipston Bookfest

05/03/2026

Happy ! 📚 We're celebrating by throwing it back to some of our past events.

Do you recognise any faces? 👀

14/02/2026

Did you know that today is Library Lovers Day? 📚❤️

So, this is a Shipston Library appreciation post 🫶 We truly love our local branch of Warwickshire Library & Information Service

Last year, we had pop-up poetry performances at the library as well as local author Sue Newgas' children's event. And in 2024, Emily Lloyd-Gale captured audiences with her stories of Mighty Maurice.

This year? We're still planning our programme and exploring options with local partners — stay tuned 👀

06/01/2026

💌 Love letters, a world war, and their real-life story...

This weekend, hear from Rev John Horton as he discusses his book, which chronicles the wartime correspondence of his parents.

‘Behind the Wire: A Prisoner of War in N**i Germany’ tells the story of husband and wife, Alan and Peggy, through their letters while Alan was as prisoner of war in World War Two.

Find out more about Shipston-on-Stour and District Local History Society's event below 👇

Saturday, 10th January at The Townsend Hall - we look forward to hearing Rev John Horton (retired) tell his parents' WWII tale that was inked into their P.O.W. letters.

Tickets for Shipston History Talk + Book Signing | WWII Love Letters from Behind the Wire are available from The Richard Harvey Collection Ltd, Eventbrite and on the door.

Eventbrite tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1639936025799

07/12/2025

Thrilled to have won ‘quirkiest tree’ at St. Edmunds Church Christmas Tree Festival 🎄📚

We won with a slightly non-traditional tree – made entirely of books (which did originally come from trees 🫣) — big thanks to everyone who voted for us

And congratulations to the Bookfest Committee members who made it possible ❤️

02/11/2025

Have thoughts on Shipston Bookfest 2025? Or interested in volunteering? 📚

We’d love to hear from you! Join us tomorrow at 7pm at The George Townhouse for our 2025 Festival Review Meeting. It’s a chance to share your thoughts on how this year’s festival went and to hear about how the feedback we've had will shape future festivals.

🗓 Plus, save the date: our Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 24 November, 7pm at The George Townhouse. We will discuss and vote on committee roles — the team that helps make Shipston Bookfest happen.

Everyone’s welcome at either or both meetings — it’s a great way to get involved, meet fellow book lovers, and be a part of something that brings joy to the community!

27/09/2025

Limited tickets now remaining for Ben Miller! Online ticket sales have now stopped, and there will be a limited number available for purchase at the event – doors open at 1:30pm.

If you're attending this event, please walk, share transport, or use public transport, and allow plenty of time to get to the Townsend Hall.

We’ll see you there 🪄✨

Ben Miller is coming to Shipston! 🪄

Ben will talk about his journey to becoming an author and why he loves writing children’s books. He’ll also introduce his newest book: The Diary of a Wicked Witch 🧙‍♀️

Laughs are guaranteed in this event for the whole family — don’t miss it

📆 Sat 27 Sept, 2pm
🎟️ Tickets: https://shipstonbookfest.org/events/2025/ben-miller

27/09/2025

TODAY ✨ Hear from David Larbi, writer, podcaster and possibly the most positive guy on social media today at St Edmund’s Church, Shipston

He'll be discussing his book, creative process and more 📚 You’ll also have a chance to work through a journaling prompt from his book Frequently Happy (no experience needed!), and leave feeling lighter, more grounded, and a little more joyful 🌿

Tickets available on the door so just come on down

Join writer David Larbi for an inspiring, down-to-earth session that makes joy feel possible—even on tough days 😊🙌

His debut book, Frequently Happy, blends poetry, reflection, and simple journalling prompts to help you spot small moments of happiness hiding in plain sight

Known for his inspirational but realistic positivity, David will share his thoughts on how to build calm and joy into everyday life. You’ll also try out a journalling prompt from the book in a relaxed environment ✏️

David comes to Shipston Bookfest next Saturday, 27 September. Find out more about the event here: https://shipstonbookfest.org/events/2025/david-larbi

26/09/2025

TONIGHT ✨ Hear from local author Kate MacDougall and Elizabeth O'Connor in conversation tonight about their brilliant fiction debuts.

They'll be discussing their books, writing process and more 📚 It's set to be a fun evening of engaging conversation - tickets are available on the door so just pop down!

Hear from two talented voices in contemporary fiction this Friday as Kate MacDougall and Elizabeth O’Connor speak about their books.

Kate’s Good Things follows two sisters navigating loss and reconnection, while Elizabeth’s Whale Fall tells a gripping story of life and hope on a remote, fictional Welsh island just before WWII.

Despite their differences in genre, their books are united by the powerful themes of family, home and everything that shapes us 📖✨

Find out more: https://shipstonbookfest.org/events/2025/macdougall-and-o-connor

📚 Families, Feelings, and Fiction with Kate MacDougall & Elizabeth O’Connor
📆 Fri 26 Sept, 7.30pm
📍 St Edmund’s Church, Shipston-on-Stour

24/09/2025

Hear from award-winning adventurer and author Phoebe Smith this Saturday as she shares the story behind Wayfarer, her moving memoir of walking Britain’s ancient pilgrim paths in search of healing, meaning and self-discovery 🥾✨

From the mountains of North Wales to moments of personal reckoning, Phoebe’s journey is one of courage, nature, and the quiet strength of putting one foot in front of the other.

Phoebe joins us at 7.30pm on Saturday 27 September in St Edmund’s Church. Find out more: https://shipstonbookfest.org/events/2025/wayfarer

Tickets are available on the door

23/09/2025

From the shadows of history to the pages of bestselling books… 🕵️‍♀️✨

Join historian Claire Hubbard-Hall and novelist M.J. Robotham as they explore the lives of female spies. Combining Claire’s research into women’s roles in covert operations and Mandy's immersive fiction, this event will offer a fascinating insight into female spies — both as a historical figure and literary icon.

📚 Female Spies: Fact and Fiction
📆 Sun 28 Sept, 4pm
🎟️ Tickets: https://shipstonbookfest.org/events/2025/female-spies

22/09/2025

Hear from two talented voices in contemporary fiction this Friday as Kate MacDougall and Elizabeth O’Connor speak about their books.

Kate’s Good Things follows two sisters navigating loss and reconnection, while Elizabeth’s Whale Fall tells a gripping story of life and hope on a remote, fictional Welsh island just before WWII.

Despite their differences in genre, their books are united by the powerful themes of family, home and everything that shapes us 📖✨

Find out more: https://shipstonbookfest.org/events/2025/macdougall-and-o-connor

📚 Families, Feelings, and Fiction with Kate MacDougall & Elizabeth O’Connor
📆 Fri 26 Sept, 7.30pm
📍 St Edmund’s Church, Shipston-on-Stour