Full line up announced for Chalke Valley History Festival 2021
There's a number of historians and guest speakers involved
With just over a month to go, the Chalke Valley History Festival has announced it's line up.
From June 23rd to 27th, they've got many special guests doing talks including:
- Sir Vince Cable - the former leader of the Liberal Democrats
- Rowan Williams - former Archbishop of Canterbury
- Al Murray - Comedian and historian
- Dan Snow - TV presenter
After being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, organisers say they're promising a "full assault on the senses".
As well as the talks there will be demonstrations from things like the Tudor kitchen, stone age flint-knapping and a Cold War-era armoured brigade headquarters.
Meanwhile, the oldest travelling Big Wheel in the UK, built in 1922, will also be there.
Due to government guidelines, there may be restrictions on the number of tickets for sale at the festival this year, with them going on general sale on Wednesday 19th May and will be released two days earlier on 17th May to the Friends membership.
Festival Chair, James Holland, says:
"I'm really very excited about this year's festival. Despite the challenges of the last year we've been able to produce a really inclusive and very wide-ranging programme that feels fresh, vibrant and fun. It will be midsummer, lockdown will be over, and I can't wait to unleash this historical pageant."
All profits from the festival go into Chalke Valley History Trust, which operates to promote the enjoyment and better understanding of history for all ages but especially to school children.
SCHOOL PROGRAMME
Usually, they run a Chalke Valley History Festival for Schools, however that will not be going ahead this year.
Instead this year they are going to be producing a programme of curriculum-based films, ready for the start of the academic year this September, and which will be entirely free for all teachers, pupils and schools.
A school portal will be created separately for this.
You can find out all the details over on their website.