Former British Prime Minister David Cameron Books Into Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 2019

A former British Prime Minister will be joined by more than 20 recently published authors - ranging from much loved television presenters and historians to speech writers, business leaders and music critics - at this autumn’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 2019.

Over the course of the festival’s four days – which is being held in the town’s Crown Hotel from Thursday, October 17- David Cameron and his fellow guest speakers will not only entertain their audiences but inspire and educate them too!

Now in its ninth year, The Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival is considered one of the finest events of its kind and is delivered again by Harrogate International Festivals.

The opening day begins with a literary lunch featuring Simon Weston, who received 46 per cent burns when his troopship was struck by an Argentinian Exocet missile in the 1982 Falklands War, and concludes with a rare public appearance by the former premier, who reportedly squirreled himself away in a shepherd’s hut to write For The Record, a memoire of his time leading Her Majesty’s Government.

Other household names appearing over the next three days include Shoestring and Waking the Dead actor Trevor Eve; BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin, war reporter Damien Lewis, business titan Sir Tim Waterstone, Music writer Stuart Cosgrove and former ITN Royal correspondent Tom Bradbury.

Returning to his native roots on the Saturday is former Harrogate Advertiser reporter, John Craven, who in 1972 launched the world's first television news bulletin for children, John Craven's Newsround. After more than 3,000 editions, John left in 1989 to present the hugely successful Countryfile where he has remained ever since.

The festival’s final day welcomes amongst others British writer, law lecturer and historian, Onyeka Nubia; historian and chief curator for the Royal Palaces, Tracy Borman; and Sky News and ITN anchorman, Mark Austin.

Zoe Robinson, Raworths’ managing partner, said: “Over the last eight years the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival has grown in importance and stature and, in my opinion, is rightly considered one of the best in the country.

“We are very proud of our long-standing association with this event, and this year’s list of guest speakers, which is as diverse as it is long, is really exciting.

“Thanks to the expertise of Harrogate International Festivals, The Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, is where authors want to be seen and, more importantly, heard.”

Helen Donkin, Harrogate International Festivals Literature Festivals Manager, said: “We are incredibly excited to be once again delivering October’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

“Thanks to it being firmly established as one of the leading literature festivals in the UK, it means we are able to attract high calibre guest speakers, and I’m absolutely delighted with this year’s star-studded line up.”

Tickets for the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival go on sale from the Harrogate International Festivals box office from Monday, August 19.

Further information about this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, and the guest speakers who will be appearing at it, is available from the Harrogate International Festivals’ website: https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/