LORD HATTERSLEY and broadcaster Peter Snow are among the first names confirmed for this year’s Henley Literary Festival.

The former deputy leader of the Labour Party will be discussing his new book about the Devonshires following the sold-out appearance by the current Duchess at the festival in 2010.

Snow will be talking about his new book on the 1814 British invasion of Washington.

Authors making their festival debuts this year include Times columnist and TV presenter Giles Coren, discussing his book How To Eat Out, and Major Sir Michael Parker, whose memoir It’s All Going Terribly Wrong recounts his four decades of organising royal events.

The Crime and Wine strand will return, featuring three thriller writers, Erin Kelly, Sabine Durrant and Thomas Mogford.

History will again have a strong presence at the festival with Caroline Shenton, winner of political book of the year earlier this month for The Day Parliament Burned Down. English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley will also be appearing as will Clare Mulley, biographer of Christine Granville, Britain’s first woman special agent in the Second World War.

Festival director Sue Ryan said: “This is only the start of what we hope will be a festival to match last year, when we brought almost 100 authors, from Sir John Major to Clare Balding, to Henley.

“We’ve got some great new additions this year as well as many old favourites so we hope people will start putting it in their diaries.”

The festival will take place from September 30 to October 6 and is being sponsored again by Laithwaite’s Wines. Events will be held at venues across the town, including the Kenton Theatre, the Christ Church Centre and, for the first time, the Red Lion, as well as Bix Manor and on board The Hibernia for the River Readings.

The Friends of the Festival scheme for 2013 is now open, providing priority booking and other benefits. For more information, visit www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk

Published 01/03/13