Michael Portillo and Prue Leith are among big names appearing at festival (From Knutsford Guardian)

Michael Portillo and Prue Leith are among big names appearing at festival

8:10am Monday 24th September 2012 in News By David Morgan

MICHAEL Portillo is among a host of special guests coming to Knutsford next month.

The former Minister of State for Transport will be talking about his career in politics and the media at the Knutsford Literature Festival.

Michael was Chief Secretary to the Treasury in John Major’s Government, and now appears as commentator on BBC’s political discussion show This Week.

He is one of a number of celebrities and authors coming to the town for a literary celebration between October 5 and 21.

Some of the other highlights include Great British Menu’s Prue Leith, best-selling author Kate Summerscale and Artemis Cooper, the writer of Patrick Leigh Fermor’s biography.

Christine Bhatt, chairman of the festival committee, said: “Every year we have excellent speakers, and I think all of them have been attracted not only by Knutsford’s literary history but also by the growing reputation we are getting in publishing circles.

“We are delighted with the initial response to our programme, which has been extremely positive.

“The committee is thrilled to be welcoming Peter Baxter of Test Match Special fame, and are very pleased to have been able to add a scientific element in the shape of Mark Henderson, author of The Geek Manifesto.”

There will be book signings after each event, and if guests want to show off their literary talent there is an open-mic poetry night at The Angel in King Street on October 9.

For the full details and tickets visit knutsfordlitfest.org or call 01565 659915 between 10am and 4pm. Programmes are available from the library in Toft Road.

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Knutsford Literature Festival programme.

- October 5 – The Baroness, Knutsford Methodist Church, 8pm. £5. Hannah Rothschild introduces her great-aunt Pannonica.

- October 6 – Leningrad: A City Under Siege, Knutsford Methodist Church, 2.30pm. £5.

Anna Reid examines the deadliest blockade of a city in history.

- October 8 – A Literary Lunch with Prue Leith, Mere Golf and Country Club, 12.30pm. £27.
The Great British Menu judge will be talking about her career as cook, restaurateur, food writer and presenter.

- October 9 – Poetry at The Angel, The Angel, 8pm. Free.

- October 10 – Love Letters: 2000 Years of Romance, Leicester Warren Hall, 2.30pm. £5.
Andrea Clarke offers a rare insight into the intimate thoughts of iconic individuals.

- October 11 – The Geek Manifesto: Why Science Matters, Leicester Warren Hall, 8pm. £5.
Mark Henderson argues that science matters to all aspects of life.

- October 13 – Mrs Robinson’s Disgrace, Knutsford Methodist Church, 2pm. £5.
Kate Summerscale explores ‘The Private Diary of a Victorian Lady’.

- October 15 – Patrick Leigh Fermor: An Adventure, Leicester Warren Hall, 7.30pm. £5.
Artemis Cooper introduces her biography to a 20th century Hellenic traveller.

- October 16 – Effie – The Passionate Lives of Effie Gray, Ruskin and Millais, Leicester Warren Hall, 2.30pm. £5. Suzanne Fagence Cooper tells the story of the woman who was wife and muse to Ruskin and Millais.

- October 17 – Can Anyone Hear Me? Leicester Warren Hall, 8pm. £5.
Test Match Special’s Peter Baxter brings his tales of commentating capers.

- October 18 – Murder at Wrotham Hill, Leicester Warren Hall, 8pm. £5.
Diana Souhami will be introducing her new book set in post-war austerity Britain.

- October 19 – Life: A Game of Two Halves, Knutsford Methodist Church, 8pm. Sold out. An evening with Michael Portillo.

- October 20 – The Death That Changed The Monarchy, Knutsford Methodist Church, 2.30pm.
Helen Rappaport explores Queen Victoria’s ‘magnificent obsession’ with Albert.

- October 21 – The Farewell Performance of Mr Charles Dickens, Knutsford Civic Centre, 2.30pm. David Shaw recreates the author’s final on-stage performance.