PLEASE RUN ALL EDITIONSTHE historic village of Lavenham will this year launch its own literary festival.The festival, backed by the East Anglian Daily Times, will run from November 20 to 22 and feature bestselling authors.

Mark Crossley

THE historic village of Lavenham will this year launch its own literary festival.

The festival, backed by the East Anglian Daily Times, will run from November 20 to 22 and feature bestselling authors.

It was the idea of Sir Clive Rose, who has lived in the medieval west Suffolk village for 30 years.

Sir Clive said: “Thousands of visitors come to Lavenham every year to see our church, Guildhall and other historic buildings, but what they do not see is that this is a village with a vibrant cultural life.

“We want to do something to bring people in for something other than the wonderful buildings.”

A non-profit making company has been set up to run the festival. Chairman Valerie Thompson said it was hoped that the village primary school would benefit from any money made.

The festival will begin with a talk by John Warwicker, at the Guildhall, about his book Churchill's Underground Army. A literary dinner will follow at the Swan Hotel, with Lord Phillips of Sudbury as guest speaker.

The village hall will host talks by bestselling authors on the Saturday and Sunday. They include

Ronald Blythe, writer of classic Suffolk novel Akenfield, Rose Tremain, author of 11 bestsellers who has twice been nominated for the Booker Prize, Alison Weir, famous for her historical works, including Innocent Traitor and The Lady Elizabeth, and Barbara Erskine, the author of novels and short stories, including The Lady of the Hay, who lives in Thorpe-le-Soken.

There will also be a creative writing masterclass with Mike Ripley.

Lavenham Primary School pupils will be visited by two authors in the week before the main festival.

Mrs Thompson said tickets were expected to go on sale in September.