Read all about the Havering Literary Festival

Authors such as Jeffrey Archer, local-born Kimberley Chambers, Alison Weir and Roger McGough, are among the many names that will be giving a talk on their literary careers and books between 5 and 24 November 2018.

From crime to history, to psychological thrillers, memoirs and real-life experiences, plus children’s books to talks on rock and roll, orchestral, musical comedy and cultural diversity and creative workshops there is something to suit everyone’s tastes.

All the events will be taking place across the borough’s 10 libraries and other local venues such as Rainham Hall, with tickets now on sale at http://haveringliteraryfestival.eventbrite.co.uk. You can also visit your local libraries to purchase tickets.

Councillor Viddy Persaud, Cabinet Member for Culture, said: “We are really proud to be hosting the first Havering Literary Festival.

“The festival is an opportunity for us to bring communities from across the borough together and encourage residents of all ages to enjoy reading and further their interest in books and perhaps introducing them to books they have never read before.

“It will also provide a chance for residents and visitors to see and listen to these fantastic authors up close and experience a number of different book-related and creative activities.”

For fans of the Great British Bake Off, there will be a chance to hear 2016 winner Candice Brown, talk about her rise to fame since winning the competition two years ago. There is also a chance for to see social media personality and author Rachaele Hambleton aka Part-Time Working Mummy.

For sports fans, there is the opportunity to listen to the anecdotes of former West Ham United players Tony Cottee and Tony Gale reminiscing about their careers and the world of football.

Kimberley Chambers, who includes being a Romford Market trader as one of her former jobs, is known as the ‘queen of gangland crime’ and is a Sunday Times bestselling author for books such as Payback and Life of Crime.

For history buffs, there will be BBC art historians and authors Dan Cruickshank and Andrew Graham-Dixon. Plus, Helen Pankhurst, granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst and great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst, who will be talking about 100 years of the Suffragette Movement and Year of the Woman.

Subjects of talks include The Great War, the Enigma of Bletchley Park and local history.

The programme during the three-week festival will include an array of family and children’s events, with Ross Baker, the Havering-born author of children’s picture book, The Magical Rainbow Bus of Fun and Nick Butterworth, author of Percy the Park Keeper, plus many more.

For further details on the Havering Literary Festival, visit www.havering.gov.uk/haveringliteraryfestival