A taste of things to come

Legendary war reporter Kate Adie CBE, in conversation with Festival Patron William Waldegrave, set the tone for this year’s Festival during a unique pre-Festival event for Friends and supporters, sponsored by Investec.

Kate reported from battlefields and disaster zones all over the globe and her descriptions of what she saw were mesmerising. Her experiences at the centre of some of the world’s most grim conflicts were often harrowing, yet she provided the invited audience with an inspirational mixture of passion, compassion, anger and laughter. Her dedication to her role and her commitment to the very highest standards of journalism and an uncensored press was truly heartening.

Before the discussion began Richard Manning, our Chairman, paid tribute to Festival stalwart Pamela Egan who has been at the heart of the Festival since it began in 1992. From her founding role at that first Festival weekend in Wells almost 30 years ago, Pamela went on to play an integral part in the International Competitions – as organiser, judge and most recently poetry reader at the annual Prize Giving. Pamela’s contribution to the Festival has been invaluable; she will be much missed.

We are pleased to report, however, that the 2021 Festival looks set to be one of the best ever. The pre-Festival event provided an indication of the high standard of events that are regularly put on in Wells; the brochure itself delivered a sensational preview as you can see here in our full online programme.

Priority booking for Friends and sponsors has begun. Public booking starts on Monday 6 September. Full details can be found here. Alternatively, ring the Cedars Hall box office on 01749 834483 (weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm)

Picture credit: Jo Shepherd