Ilkley Literature Festival explores the theme Soft Power with a series of author talks on power players, philosophers, peacemakers, and psychological warfare. The north’s longest-running literary festival returns in its 52^nd year with some of the country’s leading minds in politics, history, and academia discussing big ideas across 17 days in venues across the spa town.

In the panel Frontlines of Psychological Warfare, Times Radio political reporter Terry Stiastny discusses her book Believable Lies – the untold story of a secret British organisation, the Political Warfare Executive, briefed to wage psychological warfare to beat the Nazis. She’s in conversation with the former head of international news at the Guardian, Charlie English, with his book The CIA Book Club – the astonishing story of how ten million books were smuggled across the Iron Curtain in an attempt to win the Cold War with literature.

The festival also examines the legacies of influential but overlooked figures throughout history. Journalist Yvonne Singh’s book, INK! From Empire to Black Power explores the pioneering journalists who addressed global racial injustice and whose work acted as a catalyst for change, covering a transformative period from the age of empire to the heady start of the 1980s.

Thant Myint-U, grandson of the UN’s longest-serving Secretary-General U Thant, traces his grandfather’s rise from schoolteacher to the centre of global politics, with his book, Peacemaker. One of America’s most admired men in the 1970s, U Thant is largely forgotten today.Erica Morris, Director at Ilkley Literature Festival, said: “Soft Power is a festival strand that promises fascinating and enlightening discussions around politics, history, society, race, and gender politics. We invite our audience to re-examine figures and events often lost or forgotten in history, despite their remarkable influence.” The award-winning biographer Sonia Purnell will unveil the spectacular story of one of the mos t powerful women of the 20^th century – Pamela Churchill Harriman. Her book, Kingmaker, explores how Winston Churchill’s daughter-in-law left an indelible mark on the world today, influencing everyone from the Kennedys to Nelson Mandela.

At the dawn of the 20th century the philosopher Henri Bergson was the most famous philosopher on earth. An international celebrity, he made headlines around the world, yet has since faded from historical view. Author Emily Herring revives his story and how Bergson transformed 20^th century thought with her book, Herald of a Restless World.

In literature, Dr Jill Liddington presents Writing Women Up North. Looking beyond the Brontës, Liddington promises a revealing talk on fascinating northern women writers from icons such as Anne Lister, who wrote five-million-word diaries, to Selina Cooper, one of the 29,000 Lancashire women cotton workers who signed and took their suffrage petition down to Westminster. Biographer Valerie Waterhouse reclaims an exceptional, overlooked Yorkshire woman, Malachi Whitaker, as her 1939 memoir of life in Bradford on the cusp of war is finally being republished. Waterhouse puts the spotlight back on the author lauded by the likes of Vita Sackville-West; over 50 of Whitaker’s stories were broadcast on the BBC. 

Soft Power is one of several strands at 2025’s festival, alongside Talking Politics, Doing Justice, The Dark Side of the Internet, Novel Ideas, Explore Moor, Food for Thought and In Verse: The Rising of the North. Authors appearing this year include Jung Chang, Mary Portas, Alan Davies, Jay Raynor, Hugh Bonneville, Nick Clegg, Ruby Tandoh, Simon Armitage, Michael Palin, Lady Hale, Rachel Joyce, and Irvine Welsh.

To book https://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/ Box Office: 01943 816714.

Whitby Lit Fest has announced a series of events to showcase local talent, and the coastal town, at its inaugural festival this November. Poetry and music combine in Sea Here which features three North Yorkshire poets – Wendy Pratt, Charlotte Oliver, and Rowena Sommerville – alongside beautiful singing from the A cappella group, The Marigolds. From the personal to the cosmic, the all-female line up promises to leave audiences entertained, refreshed, and uplifted.

Writer Bob Fischer invites audiences on a journey through folklore spanning 12,000 years of history taking in Freebrough Hill alongside the A171 moorland road to Whitby. He’s joined by Teesside poet Bob Beagrie, performing extracts from his new collection, The Hand of Glory. Whitby audiences can enjoy a special event celebrating the remarkable collaboration between Whitby’s Dogwood Productions and the Teesside organisation, Going For Independence. Supported by Arts Council England, the two groups produced a four-part audio drama co-created with blind and partially sighted participants.

Each episode was developed by community groups in Redcar, Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton, alongside professional writers, and actors. This session reunites the writers and performers for a discussion and playback of the drama, which features a young couple, struggling to run the recently inherited guest house, Bel View, in a fictitious resort north of Whitby. Adele Duffield Community Development Librarian and committee member of Whitby Lit Fest, said: “We are thrilled to add more inspiring events to the festival line-up. From coastal poets and community theatre to workshops, performance and untold histories, this programme celebrates the richness of words and voices in all their forms.”

A writing workshop, First Person Singular – Writing Monologues That Speak to an Audience will be hosted by the writer Suzanne Elvidge, who lives on the coast near Whitby. Suzanne will guide participants through the craft of writing monologues, from first idea to final draft.

Suzanne’s own writing crosses science and the Arts. She writes fiction about lost and forgotten women’s voices based on interviews, news stories, historical events and the overheard. Dancing in Heaven, her first solo collection of monologues is due out in December 2025. Whitby writer Julie Noble, whose memoir appeared in Kit de Waal’s Common People: An Anthology of Working-Class Writers, leads an interactive workshop – Rusty Shears – exploring how Whitby has inspired writers from Caedmon to Atkinson, and Gaskell to Brody. Participants will explore classic and contemporary voices before creating their own work inspired by the town.

The Yorkshire crime author, David Mark, a former crime reporter for the Yorkshire Post turned bestselling novelist, will host a workshop on plot, place, and character. And for aspiring poets, Harry Gallagher presents a creative writing workshop exploring ideas inspired by the Whitby coast. Harry runs the North East Stanza of the Poetry Society. The writer and performer Noreen Nasim shares the extraordinary and moving story of expulsion from Uganda, exploring identity, resilience, and belonging. Her performance brings a powerful new voice to Whitby. The inaugural Whitby Lit Fest, which runs from 6 to 9 November, welcomes household names alongside a celebration of the unique literary heritage of the town and diverse and thought-provoking local talent.

Rebeka Russell, who set up the independent publishing imprint Manderley Press, grew up in Whitby. She’ll be discussing her 2026 release of Storm Jameson’s Whitby-inspired novel, The Moon is Making, as well as the wider influence of the town’s history and architecture on literature with the writer, broadcaster and academic, Dr Katherine Cooper. The festival falls on the anniversary of Bram Stoker’s birth on 8 November. Exploring Stoker’s seminal Dracula, The Working-Class Library will record a live podcast with their guest author, the Yorkshire writer, Adelle Stripe. Adelle will be in conversation with the CEO of New Writing North, Claire Malcolm, and the writer Richard Benson – a former editor of the iconic magazine The Face. They’ll explore the working-class credentials and perspectives of Stoker’s classic.

Also joining the line up are gothic literature experts, Dr Michael Stewart, and Dr Claire O’Callaghan, discussing Stewart’s latest novel, Black Wood Women, in the wider context of how and why gothic fiction evolved. They’ll also be a New Blood panel on Stoker’s undying legacy, featuring local author Amanda Mason and Leticia Lentini, who runs the Whitby independent publisher, The Crow Emporium. Mason also features on the panel, Gothic Tales, with fellow author Essie Fox.

Celebrating Charles Dickens literary links to Whitby, his great, great, great grand-daughter Lucinda Hawksley hosts an entertaining author dinner at the original coaching inn Dickens stayed – The White Horse and Griffin. Diners can enjoy a three-course menu at £40 per head. The festival also welcomes two children’s authors who have set their latest books in Whitby. Former Blue Peter presenter, Yvette Fielding discusses her children’s book, The Vampire of Whitby, and Emma Carroll brings her brand-new adventure series, Dracula & Daughters. It also welcomes cult writer Paul Magrs, whose Brenda and Effie Mystery series are set in a Whitby BnB, and have been optioned for TV. Young adult authors S.J Baker and Liz Hyder, winner of the 2024 Nero Book Awards prize, also feature.

Sir Alan Ayckbourn © Tony Bartholomew

Headline acts for 2025 include Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Miriam Margolyes, Lee Child, Rob Rinder, Shaun Usher, and Steph McGovern with more than 50 authors expected to descend on Whitby.

Tickets, from £5 available at: https://whitbylitfest.org.uk/

Frost Magazine is so thrilled that triple Paralympic rowing champion Lauren Rowles has today announced her retirement from rowing in order to commit full-time to a career in wheelchair racing. The announcement, which marks the date anniversary a year on from her last gold at Paris 2024, closes the chapter on an incredible career in the sport, which also saw her become a two-time World champion and three-time European champion.

She is one of a select group of athletes who have achieved the extraordinary feat of winning gold at three consecutive Paralympic Games, having won her first golds alongside her long-time rowing partner Laurence Whitely at Rio 2016 in the TA Mixed Double Sculls and in Tokyo in the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls, before following up her final gold alongside Gregg Stevenson in France last summer.

Now the focus for Lauren will be increasing her gold tally in her new sport, in which she impressively made her debut at the 2025 TCS London Marathon, all, I might add, while still training and competing in rowing.

Lauren, who started rowing just a year before her first Paralympic gold and was inspired to take up Paralympic sport after watching London 2012, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of what I’ve achieved over the past decade.

“It all started with a dream a 16-year-old girl had when she sat in a boat for the first time. Now, sat here as the most successful Paralympic Rower of all time, it’s more than she ever imagined. I’m thankful to everyone who has played a part in that journey and will always look back at this as my greatest chapter. 

“But as one chapter closes there was always another unfinished and I’m excited to be getting back on track to finish a journey I started as a junior in wheelchair racing. Who knows what the future holds but as always whatever comes next will be marvellous.”

Outside of rowing, 27 year old Lauren is an active spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ community and wants to encourage and inspire children to get involved in sport. She lives with her fiancé, Paralympic basketball star Jude Hamer, and their young son.

The announcement was made by Lauren on her social media channels, alongside this video.

The Columbia Community Association committee of Oxclose Rd Washington Tyne & Wear NE38 7EN recently slogged away creating a smarter, more beautiful, extremely useful Community Centre. Not content with this, they had a thought and decided it was time to support a charity of their choice again this year. What better than the Daft as a Brush Charity.

This extraordinary charity serves those cancer patients requiring treatment involving transporting them ‘in a safe and comfortable environment from where they are living to where they will be having their treatment. If required, a volunteer companion will stay with the patient during their Chemotherapy and / or Radiotherapy.‘ What a comfort that must be.

‘The patient is returned to their home in readiness for their next course of treatment. The charity completes thousands of cancer patient journeys each year with a passionate team of hundreds of volunteers and a large fleet of ambulances. All donations received go directly to supporting cancer patients on their journey to recovery with Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care.’

So, on September 26th (starts 10.30) the CCA stalwarts are planning to host a fund raising event for this remarkable charitable organisation so that many more cancer patients can benefit from their kind and compassionate service. Last year the they fund raised for MacMillan Charity, and were able to donate £800 from the local community. But… of course, a Cake Bring and Buy sale requires cakes so please can you bake your wonderful cakes and bring them on the day, or buy a few to bring for the CCA to sell, again on the day, ‘just as we used to do in the old days’.

Of course, there will be free refreshments, plus a spirit raffle and a Gift Voucher raffle – Margaret Graham, editor of Frost Magazine, is already putting it in her diary, (though she promises she won’t bake cakes, because they will sag in the middle, a bit like her, she says – I can’t possibly comment!).

Donations for Daft as a Brush can be made to the CCA at any time – just pop in to Columbia Community Centre Oxclose Rd Washington Tyne & Wear NE38 7EN and come along on the day- 26th September 10.30 – to have an extra special coffee morning and get together.

Cliveden Literary Festival (11-12 October) is delighted to reveal this year’s list of speakers as tickets are now on sale. www.clivedenliteraryfestival.org • @ClivedenLitFest

Taking place at the historic Cliveden House in Berkshire, this year’s festival features the leading writers of today across culture, politics and history. Highlights will include: Michael Gove and Sarah Vine will tell Andrew Roberts about their marriage and divorce in the political spotlight; Salman Rushdie and Rachel Eliza Griffiths will discuss their creative partnership; beloved actor Richard E. Grant will talk to Georgia Beaufort about the highs and lows of Hollywood and his personal life; renowned philosopher Alain de Botton will discuss his theories of love, heartbreak and sorrow; and Wild Swans author Jung Chang and The Silk Roads’ Peter Frankopan will consider the past, present and future of China with Geordie Greig.

Meanwhile, panels of experts will gather to discuss 2025’s most compelling issues. In the political sphere, guests will learn about intrigue inside the White House, the divided American nation, and 21st-century espionage. In the literary realm, visitors will hear about the enduring allure of Jane Austen, or the writing of crime stories both real and fictional. And the most pressing questions in British politics will be cross-examined in Cliveden’s very own Question Time, with Alex Burghart and Emily Maitlis.

Across the weekend, the Festival will host a stellar cast of writers, philosophers, polemicists and politicians, including Anthony Horowitz, William Boyd, Douglas Murray – wow – and another favourite – Jake Wallis Simons,  and Caroline Derby; and our founders, Catherine Ostler, Natalie Livingstone, Simon Sebag Montefiore and Andrew Roberts.

Cliveden Literary Festival is renowned as a forum for lively discussion, thought-provoking ideas, and political  debate,  in  the  most  beautiful  of  settings,  with  something  for  everyone. Last year, Rachel Eliza Griffiths said ‘the setting of Cliveden… is a kind of mirror of the beauty that I find in books’.

Now in its eighth year, the festival revives Cliveden House’s rich history as a literary salon frequented by writers   and   thinkers   from   Alexander Pope  to  Alfred Lord Tennyson,  George Bernard  Shaw, Jonathan Swift and Sir Winston Churchill. Cliveden  Literary  Festival  is  run  by  a  committee  of  writers  and  historians  –  Andrew Roberts, Natalie Livingstone, Catherine Ostler and Simon Sebag Montefiore.

It’s a sell-out success every year, so hurry now, and book your tickets on the Cliveden Literary Festival website. It sounds its usual wonderful self.

Watching your child’s heart break when their best friend moves away is one of those parenting moments that catches you off guard. Whether you’re a parent or foster carer, seeing your little one struggle with this loss can feel overwhelming. The good news is that with patience and understanding, you can help them navigate this difficult transition whilst building resilience for the future.

Try to Understand the Impact

Children form friendships in a different way to adults. Their bonds are often intense and immediate, built through shared experiences like playground adventures, sleepovers, and countless hours of imaginative play. When a best friend moves away, children don’t just lose a playmate – they lose their confidant, their partner in mischief, and sometimes their sense of security.

For children who are fostered with an agency like Fosterplus, this loss can feel particularly intense. They may have already experienced multiple separations and losses, making the departure of a close friend even more challenging to process. It’s important to acknowledge that their reaction might be stronger than expected, and that’s completely normal.

Immediate Support Strategies

In the days immediately following the news, focus on validation rather than solutions. Let your child express their feelings without trying to “fix” the situation straight away. Phrases like “I can see how sad you are” or “It’s really hard when someone special moves away” help them feel heard.

Create space for them to talk about their favourite memories with their friend. This isn’t dwelling on the past; it’s helping them process the relationship and celebrate what it meant to them. You might suggest they create a scrapbook or draw pictures of their adventures together.

Maintain the Connection

Distance doesn’t have to mean the end of the friendship. Help your child explore ways to stay in touch that feel manageable and age-appropriate. Video calls can be wonderful for younger children who struggle with phone conversations, whilst older children might enjoy writing letters or emails.

Consider planning the occasional visit if geography and circumstances allow. Even knowing there’s a possibility of seeing their friend again can provide comfort during the adjustment period.

Help Them Build New Friendships

Whilst you can’t replace their special friend, you can help create opportunities for new connections. This doesn’t mean rushing them into social situations before they’re ready, but rather gently encouraging activities where friendships might naturally develop.

Local clubs, sports teams, or community groups can provide excellent opportunities. For foster children, you might also explore whether there are specific support groups or activities designed for children with similar experiences.

When to Seek Additional Support

Most children will gradually adjust to their friend’s absence, but some may need extra help. If you notice persistent changes in sleep, appetite, or behaviour that last several weeks, or if they seem unable to engage with other children, consider speaking with their teacher or a child counsellor.

Remember that grief over lost friendships is real and valid. By supporting your child through this experience with empathy and practical strategies, you’re teaching them valuable lessons about relationships, resilience, and how to cope with life’s inevitable changes. Every child deserves to feel supported through these challenging moments, regardless of their family circumstances.

‘Let’s nip to Skipton, it’s not far, and my Milly Adams’ series, The Waterway Girls, is going to have another trot around the block fairly soon with DP Digital Publishers, oh yes it is, and how thrilling is that, so much so I want to toddle along beside a canal again.’ So said Milly/Margaret to Dick, without taking a breath. So off we nipped, with Dick sighing, ‘It’s actually quite far.’

‘Ah, but look at the fabulous scenery,’ insisted Milly/Margaret.’ ‘The time will fly as we cross the country.’

Silence fell, but Milly/Margaret had put her foot down, because, frankly, she really did want to see a canal again, as well as Skipton. After all, here in Thirsk we only have a beck, though it was thought this might be turned into a canal at one time. Like so many things, it came to nowt.

The thing was, that with the lovely news of the ‘Girls’ revival, I realised I had quite forgotten the details of the three books, and promptly re-read them, and really enjoyed them which is a great relief. What’s more, I found myself wanting to be near a canal again, see the wildlife, see the locks, see the narrowboats… Heavens, what a time these girls, who volunteered for the Inland Waterways Scheme in WW2, had to endure as they came to terms with the world of – in my girls’ case – the Grand Union Canal and the boaters, and the dreaded bucket (no, you’ll have to wait, and I might do a reveal when publication is revealed. Or I might not, of course).

There was the loading and unloading of materials to keep Britain going, the cold, the heat, the wind, the rain, the locks, the cleaning of the hold, the relaxing in the pub in the evening, thank heavens, thank heavens. Basically learning the ways of the true boaters. And all the time a war was in progress, relatives were in danger, my girls were in danger and not only from bombs. And God bless it, love was in the air, then not, then it was again – for some. What amazing people these Inland Waterways girls were. What amazing people these Inland Waterways boaters were, and they all darned well deserve books based on their lives – so people know.

But right now, we want to know about Skipton, eh? The town’s 900-year-old medieval castle is open for visitors and overlooks the main street, as it did during the English Civil War, when Sir John Mallory’s royalist garrison was situated at Skipton Castle. It was the last remaining royalist stronghold in Northern England until its surrender on 20th December 1645 after a three year siege.

Skipton, known in Anglo Saxon times as Sheep Town because it was so important to the wool industry of Craven and the Southern Dales, stands by the River Aire, and the Leeds Liverpool Canal – constructed during the Industrial Revolution. It was Britain’s longest inland waterway when it opened in 1816,and carried stone, coal, wool, cotton, limestone, grain, and other goods throughout the 19th century and is now a busy hub for leisure cruising, based in the basin, so still earning its place in this bustling town. A town with a plethora of small fascinating independent shops, cafes, and a large market with anything and everything on offer. It really is energized and what’s more, friendly.

Skipton is known as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, as it is the road, rail and canal hub for many areas. The station sits on the Airedale line, with direct trains to Leeds, Bradford and nearby towns and villages. By road, we came from Thirsk in little over an hour – well OK, twenty minutes over an hour but such a lovely journey. Skipton is accessible, charming and historic – and a canal. What more can one ask… (I will let you know when publication date is arrived at for The Waterway Girls). https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers/places-to-visit/skipton https://southpenninespark.org/2022/10/21/skipton-a-castle-canal-paths-and-cobbled-streets/ https://www.facebook.com/authormillyadams/ http://www.millyadams.com