Literary festival benefits town (From Witney Gazette)
Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting 'OXFORD NEWS' to 80360 or email
Literary festival benefits town
2:12pm Friday 5th September 2008 in Witney
"The books festival benefits hotels, shops, and the local community it is a win-win situation," said Chris Baylis
TRADERS in Woodstock are expecting a major boost from the town's annual books festival.
Woodstock Celebrates Books will see authors visit a number of different venues in the town, including the Orangery and the Marlborough Room, at Blenheim Palace.
In previous years, hotels and shops have experienced a rise in trade over festival weekend, as hundreds of book lovers have flocked to the town.
The festival was launched four years ago by the organisers of the Oxford Literary Festival, who wanted to stage a smaller version of their more high-profile event.
This year, Woodstock Celebrates Books will run for three days from Friday, October 10.
Chris Baylis, chairman of Wake Up to Woodstock, which represents traders in the town, said: "The books festival benefits hotels, shops, and the local community - it is a win-win situation.
"We get people coming in to Woodstock and staying for the weekend for the festival, and it definitely gives the town a real boost.
"Woodstock is becoming quite a Mecca for the arts, because we had Woodstock Live, the music festival in the town centre on the August Bank Holiday, and in late October, we will be staging the second Art in Woodstock event."
Highlights of the festival will include Witney MP David Cameron in conversation, and local author Julie Summers talking about her new book, Stranger in the House.
Crime writer PD James will also talk about her new novel, The Private Patient, and journalist Ann Leslie will present her memoirs, Killing My Own Snakes.
Clive Aslet will discuss his new book, The English Country House, and there will be a black tie dinner with historian Richard Holmes.
Former Woodstock mayor Colin Carritt said: "The festival is a worthwhile venture, which the town council certainly supports. During the weekend it is held, the town is buzzing with lots of different people walking around."
Authors who have previously appeared at the festival include Jeremy Paxman, John Mortimer, and Geraldine McCaughrean.
