WIMPOL E HI STORY F EST I VAL
The rest is HISTO R Y WITH WIMPOLE HISTORY FESTIVAL POISED TO RETURN IN JUNE WITH ITS BIGGEST EVENT YET, WE ROUND-UP THE HIGHLIGHTS
S ee the past brought to life next month at Wimpole History Estate. Taking place from 20 to 23 June, the event is seeing in its third year with its most ambitious outing yet, adding a second marquee and serving up a huge line-up of high-profile historians, authors, journalists, broadcasters and more, as well as interactive fun including sword and archery workshops. A fun and enlightening event with something for all ages, speakers include TV historian Lucy Worsley, who’s guided us through everything from 17th-century childbirth to Tudor wardrobes on our screens, will this time be deep diving into the long reign of Queen Victoria: one of the most exceptional eras in British history. Showing a softer side to the famously fearsome monarch, Lucy will explore how Victoria’s profound grief at the loss of her husband Albert shaped her decades in power. Also offering an intimate portrait of a towering figure in British history is Andrew Roberts, who’s at the festival to discuss his much-praised biography of Winston Churchill. Looking beyond the plume of cigar smoke and stirring speeches, he draws on fresh material to give some surprising insights on Churchill’s friendships, and his deeply sentimental streak. Joining him in a trip back to wartime London is Edward Stourton, who takes a lively look at BBC radio’s role in the second world war. In an age before the internet, the wireless was the lifeline of communication on updates from the frontline – find out how ‘Auntie Beeb’ shaped this defining moment in history. Also making an appearance is the inimitable Melvyn Bragg: straight-talking intellectual, author and erstwhile House Festival, a weekend-long feast of talks and activities at the Wimpole
of Lords peer. He’ll be discussing his latest novel Heloise and Abelard , a captivating retelling of the story of the relationship between Heloise d’Argenteuil and Peter Abelard, an infamous love affair that rocked 12th-century France. Michael Morpurgo, author of well-loved books including War Horse , stops by to provide a slice of music and storytelling in The Mozart Question on the 22nd. Featuring a live string quartet, the performance explores the story of Paolo Levi, a world-famous violinist, and that of his parents; Jewish prisoners surviving by playing music in a concentration camp. Sensitively told and with stunning excerpts of the music of Mozart, Bach and Vivaldi, it’s suitable for ages eight years and up. Another highlight is sure to be BAFTA winning television writer, producer and
Images Festival favourites Lucy Worsley, historian and curator of the Royal Palaces, and children’s author Philip Ardagh will be making welcome returns to Wimpole for 2019
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