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director Sally Wainwright, who’s making a rare public appearance in conversation with Anne Choma, author of Gentleman Jack , to discuss bringing this true story to the screen. The sobriquet of 19th- century Yorkshire landowner Anne Lister, Gentleman Jack has been described as the ‘first modern lesbian’ whose coded diaries reveal numerous erotic encounters with other women. It screens on BBC Two later this year. A grisly chapter of British history is under the microscope at Hallie Rubenhold’s talk about a group of women: Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane, all of whom were victims of Jack the Ripper. The story of the crimes are famous, but details of the lives of these women less so – Rubenhold gives them voice in what’s billed as a “devastating narrative and landmark study of a time and place”. There’s close-to-home history with archaeologist Francis Pryor, whose new book delves into the ancient depths of the Fens, and closer to home still, with Shannon Hogan, who excavates the ancient history of Wimpole Hall itself, which dates back to the Late Iron Age.
The festival is looking forwards, as well as back, with a keynote speech from broadcaster Jonathan Freedland. The closing event, this speech will call into question our ability to learn from history in our current climate of fake news, denialism and ‘post-truth’ politics. Kids are well catered for too, with visits from the likes of award-winning children’s authors Julia Golding and Philip Ardagh, writer of The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask . In addition to the bustling programme of talks, you can enjoy all sorts of living history displays, from medieval cooking and duelling demos, to a falconry display and a scything festival. There will be two chances to marvel at a World War II Spitfire flyover, and eight to 16 year olds can learn how to fight like a medieval knight at Wimpole’s own sword school. The Wimpole Estate is a gem to explore in its own right as well, with a grand old country mansion, rolling parkland and library of more than 10,000 books, making it the perfect backdrop for the festival. If you get peckish or thirsty, there are two cafes and a restaurant to choose between, or wander over to
NEED - TO -KNOW WHAT? A feast of history, heritage and hospitality set against idyllic parkland.
WHEN? 20-23 June
WHERE? Wimpole Estate
HOW MUCH? Talks from £7
Church Field, which will be transformed into a street-food market with local traders including Azahar, Jack’s Gelato, Brewboard and Rural Coffee Project. Booking is open now at the Wimpole
History Festival website. l wimpolehistoryfestival.com
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