Four Shots in the Night: A True Story of Spies, Murder and Justice in Northern Ireland, tells the extraordinary true story of how the death of a British spy inside the IRA led to the biggest murder investigation in British history.  On 26^th May 1986 the body of an undercover British agent was found by the side of a muddy lane with a rope around its wrists and tape over each eye.  

 Speaker Henry Hemming is the Sunday Times bestselling author of six non-fiction books, including M: Maxwell Knight – MI5’s Greatest Spymaster; the Doman Travel Award shortlisted Misadventure in the Middle East and the New York Times bestseller, The Ingenious Mr Pyke.  Four Shots in the Night is his latest book.  Henry was last with us in 2017.  We look forward to another fascinating talk about a book described as “a compulsive blend of investigative journalism and true crime thriller.”

Venue: Evesham Rowing Club, Abbey Road, Evesham. WR11 4ST

Tickets: £10

Classical soprano and established young opera singer, Susanna MacRae, joins with award-winning pianist, Claire Habbershaw, to perform their recital, ‘Words of Women’. 

Through the words of women in poems, letters and musical extracts, Susanna and Claire explore the relationship between music and literature. 

The programme is ideal for all, including those new to classical music, and feels like the perfect way to spend a summer Sunday afternoon. Highlights from the programme include a contemporary setting of suffragette letters (Paul Ayres’ setting of Anti-Suffragist Reasons by Alice Duer Miller); and settings of Emily Dickinson, and Lady Montagu Mary Wortley.  (A joint event with Evesham & District Music Club.)

Venue: All Saints Church, Market Place, Evesham. WR11 4RW

Tickets: £15 in advance.  £20 on the door. Under 18s £5

Postponed after a rainy 2023, this event is a unique opportunity to celebrate a love of biking with a love of books.  Join us for a leisurely 20-mile social cycle ride, starting at Evesham Velo Park. Led by leading local cyclist, Helen Russell, this ride will pause in Dumbleton to hear about Dumbleton Hall and its literary connections, and visit the grave of Patrick Leigh Fermor, once described as “Britain’s greatest travel writer”.  On to Bredon Hill, we will stop for a reading of Housman’s poem, On Bredon Hill.

Ride in conjunction with Cycle Evesham Vale.  Suitable for all abilities – there will be a back-marker so no-one will be left behind – and regular or electric bikes.  This is a free event but please register with info@eveshamfestivalofwords.org.

If you heard Ian Boskett’s Great Train Robbery talk in 2023 you won’t want to miss this one. Ian is a heritage railway enthusiast whose passion and enthusiasm for his subject guarantees a wonderful evening’s entertainment. 

In this talk we journey along the railway line from Ashchurch to Tewkesbury, looking at some of the old stations, and with plenty of then and now photos and some great stories.  Ashchurch is where Ian grew up – happy memories of running away from school to watch trains! 

The talk reveals many of the local landmarks left behind and Ian will be bringing along a selection of some of the many artefacts he has collected over the years and which now adorn his house, garden, and even his bedroom!  He reckons he has so many artefacts he could easily rebuild the line.  Come on board for this unique journey – enjoyment guaranteed!

Venue: Evesham Rowing Club, Abbey Road, Evesham. WR11 4ST

Tickets: £10

‘Rambling and our rights of way’.

The Pendale and District Ramblers are looking forward to their 50th anniversary walk. But the path has been blocked by the landowner. How will they find their way through?

Maybe we’re all just trying to find our own way.

A diverting ramble through the history of land access in England, from the Norman Conquest to Lockdown, via the mass trespass at Kinder Scout. Get your boots and jacket, and Join Mikron for a hike through history.

We are delighted to welcome back the fabulous Mikron Theatre Company for an afternoon of music and entertainment. 

Venue: Raphael’s Restaurant, Boat Lane, Evesham. WR11 4BP

This event will take place whatever the weather. Bring your own chairs. If you would like to have something to eat at Raphael’s, please book direct (01386 45460). No need to pre-book for this event, just come along. There will be the usual ‘pay what you feel’ collection at the end of the performance.

A musical drama about Edward Elgar, focussing on his relationship with his beloved wife Alice. Written and performed by Michael Lunts.

The friends who inspired the famous ‘Enigma Variations’ are also brought to life as, following the death of Alice, the composer muses on the origins of that first acknowledged masterpiece, a work that put him on the musical map, and which may never have seen the light of day but for Alice’s encouragement and inspiration.  But who, ultimately, was Edward Elgar?  Was he the real ‘enigma?’

In this performance, the Enigma Variations are played live in a special piano transcription made by Elgar himself. Michael Lunts has written and performed a number of acclaimed one-man shows about key moments in the lives of composers, in all of which he has integrated the music that emerged from these critical events.  ‘The Enigma of Edward Elgar’ is the latest of these dramas, and the first in which Michael has portrayed a British composer, whose music and the enigmatic character reflected in it, have long fascinated him.

Venue: Bretforton Theatrebarn, Main Street, Bretforton. WR11 7JH

Please note: there are steep steps to the theatre, with no disabled access.

Tickets: £15 

 TV Producer David Parker’s two-part series ‘The Golden Age of Steam‘ broke audience viewing records when it was first transmitted on BBC Four. Yet the series almost never got commissioned. Using superb home movie films of Britain’s steam railways and the locomotives that ran on them, alongside testimony from some of the men and women who ’saved our steam’, David will talk about what happened, why the series was ’touch and go’ and how, and having persuaded the BBC to support it, he was able to tell this remarkable story.

David is a firm Festival favourite, having previously delivered superb sessions on Laurie Lee, Johnny Kingdom, and the Flying Scotsman, as well as leading two wonderful Laurie Lee themed walks from the village of Slad.

(THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY 21ST MAY 2025.)

 Views on Gandhi are varied, and far from universally positive.  To Churchill, Gandhi was a seditious anti-colonialist, while to Einstein he was a truly great human being.  His passionate adherence to ‘satyagraha’ – non-violent resistance – led to India’s independence from British rule in 1947, and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom all over the world.

Gandhi learnt from his own life and mistakes.  He called his autobiography The Story of My Experiments with Truth.  How did his experiences training as a lawyer in London and as an early and leading civil rights activist in South Africa forge Gandhi into the powerful force that led India to independence?  What price did his wife and family pay?  How have his theories stood the test of time?

In this talk, Galen Bartholomew will attempt to examine these issues and to suggest how this painfully shy man became a prophetic voice for the twenty first century, whose views transcend race, religion and nation. 

Two-course lunch is served at 1.00 pm (special diets can be accommodated) but arrive early to get a drink and enjoy the lovely house and gardens.  The talk will commence about 2.00 pm.

Venue: Holland House, Main Street, Cropthorne. WR10 3NB

Tickets £22, via Holland House:  www.hollandhouse.org

E: enquiries@hollandhouse.org, or T: 01386 860330

Enid Blyton was loved by children.  She sold more than 600 million books, despite all her work being banned by the BBC and many libraries and schools for more than thirty years.  She was accused of being a racist and of using such limited vocabulary that it actually hindered children’s reading progress.  She had an interesting love life and enjoyed playing golf so much that she bought a golf course near Swanage.  She died of Alzheimer’s in 1968, aged 71, mourned by millions of readers all over the world.

Actress Liz Grand (previous shows: ‘The Second Best Bed’, ‘Where is Mrs Christie?’ and ‘Mrs Churchill – My Life with Winston’) plays this remarkable and controversial woman and brings you Enid Blyton’s incredible story.  An On A Role production. Not suitable for children.

Venue: The Henrician, Victoria Avenue, Evesham. WR11 4QH

Tickets: £12 (plus £1 booking fee per ticket)

Join Oscar Wilde for a sparkling and sprightly one-man show, in which stories will be told, laughter will be raised and, perhaps, a few tears shall be shed.  Award-winning actor Jonathan Goodwin performs in a show scripted and adapted by himself.  This show is brought to you by Don’t Go Into The Cellar and anyone who saw Joanthan’s performance of A Christmas Carol in 2023 will know they are in for a real treat.

Don’t Go Into The Cellar perform at venues across the UK from theatres to manor houses and festivals.  Their shows offer an original take on traditional Victorian and Edwardian literature – perfect for people seeking good old-fashioned theatrical entertainment.

Venue: The Henrician, Victoria Avenue, Evesham. WR11 4QH

Tickets: £12 (plus £1 booking fee per ticket)

Tickets only from: www.henrician.org