Warwick Words History Festival
PRESS RELEASE 2 September 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DOWNED TORNADO GULF WAR PILOT AT WARWICK WORDS HISTORY FESTIVAL
Downed Tornado First Gulf War pilot Squadron Leader John Peters came to world attention in January 1991 when his disfigured image appeared on TV screens. He will be talking about his experience as Saddam Hussein’s prisoner of war in an exclusive event at this year’s Warwick Words History Festival.
Festival Executive Director Helen Meeke said, ‘The First Gulf War was covered live and for the first time we were able to watch events as they happened. For some, what they were seeing may have resembled a video game but it was reality unfolding in front of their eyes. Tornado Down is an opportunity for festival-goers to hear from Squadron Leader Peterswhat it was like to experience the reality of war and captivity in the hands of a ruthless aggressor.’
Tornado Down and takes place at Castle Hill Baptist Church. 7.30 p.m. Thursday 3 October.
Squadron Leader Peters has written two bestselling books and the Channel 5 documentary Tornado Down was Independent Documentary of the year as well as a BAFTA Award Nominee.
This year’s Warwick Words History Festival runs from 30 September to 6 October in the town where its main venue will be Castle Hill Baptist Church.
The Warwick University Talks will take all place on Saturday 12 October.
Tickets for all events are on sale either online, www.warwickwords.co.uk, or by telephoning the Box Office 01926 33 44 18, or in person at Leamington Spa and Warwick Visitor Information Centres.
Tickets can be purchased at the event subject to availability.
For the full Festival programme and to join Warwick Words History Festival mailing list go to www.warwickwords.co.uk
Pics attached – Squadron Leader John Peters
Contacts for further information
Helen Meeke 07944 768607
www.warwickwords.co.uk
Warwick Words History Festival
PRESS RELEASE 27 August 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SPECIAL EVENT IN RUN UP TO WARWICK WORDS HISTORY FESTIVAL
This year’s Warwick Words History Festival is hosting a special event in the run up to the main festival.
Best-selling author, broadcast and journalist Dan Jones returns on 26 September to introduce his newly released book Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England’s Greatest Warrior King. One of the most intriguing characters in medieval history, the victor of Agincourt was described by Winston Churchill as ‘a gleam of splendour in the dark, troubled story of medieval England.’
Other returning festival guests include Helen Castor who steps back from Henry V to his father, Henry Bolingbroke. The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV tells how the stage was set for Richard’s downfall and Henry’s seizing of the crown to become Henry IV.
Estelle Paranque moves on in history to offer a new perspective on the second wife of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn. Thorns, Lust and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn tells how Anne became Henry VIII’s queen, what really tore this marriage apart making her the whore of England and whose execution was orchestrated by her husband.
Alison Weir’s new Tudor novel Mary I: Queen of Sorrows tells the story of how Mary, adored only child of Henry VIII and his first wife Katharine of Aragon, loved by all who knew her became the infamous Bloody Mary.
New festival guest, award-winning broadcaster Zeinab Badawi unearths buried histories from across Africa in From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence. She will be in conversation with Jo Durrant, award-winning podcaster and presenter.
For those interested in military history, James Holland will be discussing his book Cassino ’44, the story of Monte Cassino, one of the most brutal and hard-fought battles of the Second World War; best-selling military historian Max Hastings introduces his book Operation Biting, the tale of a daring assault to capture key components of German radar equipment in Normandy; Alan Reed and Andrew Hamilton will celebrate the 110th anniversary of the The Royal Warwicks and the Christmas Truce of 1914.
The wide-ranging Festival programme offers a wealth of other events and winds up with Terry Deary’s A History of Britain in Ten Enemies, an entertaining romp through the greatest hits of British History.
Warwick Words History Festival Executive Director Helen Meeke said, ‘The Festival is almost here! If you haven't already, we strongly recommend that you book your tickets soon as several events have already sold out!’
Warwick Words History Festival runs from 30 September to 6 October in the town where its main venue will be Castle Hill Baptist Church.
This year the popular Warwick University Talks will all take place on Saturday 12 October.
Tickets for all events are on sale either online, www.warwickwords.co.uk, or by telephoning the Box Office 01926 33 44 18, or in person at Leamington Spa and Warwick Visitor Information Centres.
Tickets can be purchased at the event subject to availability.
For the full Festival programme and to join Warwick Words History Festival mailing list go to www.warwickwords.co.uk
Contacts for further information
Helen Meeke 07944 768607
www.warwickwords.co.uk
Warwick Words History Festival
PRESS RELEASE 21 August 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITTY, WHISTLE-STOP ROMP THROUGH BRITISH HISTORY’S GREATEST HITS AT WARWICK WORDS HISTORY FESTIVAL
This year’s Warwick Words History Festival is all set to welcome best-selling author Terry Deary for an entertaining romp through British history on Sunday 6 October.
His laugh-out loud A History of Britain in Ten Enemies argues that nations and their leaders are defined by the enemies they make and explores how far a common enemy can unite a nation more effectively than a common friend.
With no glory to be had from defeating a weak opponent, from the Romans to the Germans, the British have proud history of choosing their enemies - Boudica would have been forgotten were it not for the Ninth Legion; Elizabeth I a minor royal without the Spanish Armada; Churchill an Opposition windbag without the Nazis.
Among other events, A History of Britain in Ten Enemies recounts how the last invasion of Britain was foiled by a female Welsh cobbler when Napoleon tried to sneak into Bristol but was blown of course and landed in Fishguard; the worst defeat in British history when the Dutch sailed into the main Royal Navy Dock; why seaman Jack Crawford should be more celebrated than Lord Nelson; monarchs of England who were not actually English; the private who accidentally let Hitler escape, local soldier Hanry Tandey, and the deadliest enemy of modern British monarchs – cigarettes.
The book offers a history of Britain reflected in the mirrors of ten enemies and questions whether the British are deluding themselves in believing in their own greatness.
Warwick Words History Festival Executive Director Helen Meeke said, ‘A History of Britain in Ten Enemies reflects a love of history and story married to wit and humour and makes you question everything you thought you knew about famous events in British history.’
Terry Deary is also the author of the multi-million selling very funny Horrible Histories.
This year’s Warwick Words History Festival runs from 30 September to 6 October in the town where its main venue will be Castle Hill Baptist Church.
The Festival’s wide-ranging programme offers a mix of talks, walks and tours.
As part of a new initiative, this year the popular post-Festival Warwick University Talks will take place on a single day.
Tickets for all events are on sale either online, www.warwickwords.co.uk, or by telephoning the Box Office 01926 33 44 18, or in person at Leamington Spa and Warwick Visitor Information Centres.
For the full Festival programme and to join Warwick Words History Festival mailing list go to www.warwickwords.co.uk
ENDS
Contacts for further information –
Helen Meeke 07944 768607
www.warwickwords.co.uk
Warwick Words History Festival
PRESS RELEASE 12 July 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WARWICK WORDS HISTORY FESTIVAL BRINGS BACK THE PAST
This year’s Warwick Words History Festival runs from 30 September to 6 October in the town where its main venue will be Castle Hill Baptist Church.
In a special pre-Festival event historian, author and broadcaster Dan Jones will be introducing his newly released history of Henry V.
The main Festival’s wide-ranging programme offers a mix of talks, walks and tours. Returning guest speakers include Helen Castor, Max Hastings, James Holland and Alison Weir. The Festival concludes with Terry Deary discussing his new history of Britain.
As part of a new initiative, this year the popular post-Festival Warwick University Talks will take place on a single day.
Warwick Words History Festival Executive Director Helen Meeke said, ‘We’re looking forward to welcoming Festival-goers this autumn - whatever their interest we’re sure they will find something to enjoy.’
Tickets for all events are on sale either online, www.warwickwords.co.uk, or by telephoning the Box Office 01926 33 44 18, or in person at Leamington Spa and Warwick Visitor Information Centres.
Tickets can be purchased at the event subject to availability.
For the full Festival programme and to join Warwick Words History Festival mailing list go to www.warwickwords.co.uk
Contacts for further information
Helen Meeke 07944 768607
www.warwickwords.co.uk
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