BRISTOL-born anthropologist and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts is to become patron of Clifton Literary Festival.
The announcement has been made by the organisers of Clifton Village LitFest as it returns for the fifth time later this month.
Professor Roberts, who was brought up in Westbury-on-Trym, was keynote speaker at last year’s LitFest.
“With more than fifty events across the weekend of November 15-17 the festival is our most ambitious to date,” says David Parker, the LitFest chairman. “To have someone as creative and enthusiastic as Alice is something about which we are immensely proud.”
The opening speaker at this year’s event will be media personality and author Carol Vorderman, who lives in Clifton. She will be in conversation at Christ Church with Paula O’Rourke, a Green councillor for Clifton ward.
Billed as the keynote speaker is author, television presenter and wildlife and environmental campaigner Chris Packham. He will be in conversation with David Parker, also at Christ Church.
Other venues include Clifton Library, the 200-year old Clifton Club in The Mall, Pavey House in Waterloo Street and Clifton High School in College Road.
Biographer and broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, who lives in Hotwells, will be making two appearances at the Litfest, both at Clifton High School on the Sunday. Firstly he will be talking about his latest book about the Second World War in the East. Following that he will be in a panel discussion talking about Tony Benn, who was a Bristol MP for 33 years. The discussion about the significance of Benn’s political life and legacy will mark the tenth anniversary of his death. Tickets for the Litfest are available from Eventbrite and Clifton Library.
• Due to an editing error, incorrect information about the LitFest was published in our November print edition. Our apologies to the organisers. For the full programme, visit https://foccal.com/litfest