THE organisers behind the Chagword Literary Festival in Chagford have revealed some big names for next year’s event.

The 2017 festival will be the third time the bi-annual event has taken place following a successful launch in 2013 and a strong follow-up in 2015. Both festivals have attracted an array of distinguished novelists, poets, broadcasters and illustrators to Chagford.

The festival promotes, encourages and develops participation in all aspects of the literary arts in Chagford, across all sections of the community, by bringing in as many writers as possible from outside the area.

One event that could be a highlight at the 2017 festival, which runs from March 17 to 19, is Michael Morpurgo presenting a story concert of War Horse, accompanied by National Theatre songman Ben Murray.

Other big names include Max Porter, winner of the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award for his debut novel Grief is the Thing with Feathers, Hisham Matar, whose book The Return was shortlisted for the prestigious Baillie-Gifford Award, Kate Adie, author and broadcaster, well-known for her long service as BBC News’ chief news correspondent, and Patrick Gale with his latest book A Place called Winter for the festival’s Great Read event. 

Screenwriter and playwright Peter Moffat, a double BAFTA Award winner for his work on BBC’s Criminal Justice, and fellow screenwriter Marnie Dickens, winner of the BAFTA Breakthrough Act in 2016 and writer of BBC Three mini-series Thirteen, will discuss the challenges and rewards of writing for the small and large screen.

Virginia Richards from Chagword said: ‘This is one of the biggest and best Chagword festivals we’ve ever had and we are very excited about the wide ranging collection of writers and big names coming on board with more expected to be announced in the very near future.’

Chagford has deep-rooted literary links of its own. The thatched country longhouse Easton Court is where Evelyn Waugh wrote Brideshead Revisited.

The town’s historic church St Michael’s contains a memorial to Mary Whiddon, a woman shot dead on her wedding day as she left the church; Mary’s story is believed to be one of the inspirations behind RD Blackmore’s famous novel Lorna Doone, which includes a shooting similar to that to Mary Whiddon.

The festival’s full programme will be revealed in January, with tickets for the festival’s events available from mid-February.

For more information on the festival visit www.chagword.co.uk