Having lived in Henley for almost 30 years, I pride myself on making the most of the wonderful goings-on the town has to offer; from the Regatta & Henley Festival to the Trad Boat Rally and Rewind. But I’m ashamed to say I’ve never managed to truly immerse myself in what I have recently discovered to be this most amazing literary festival which is celebrating 20 years this year… and it’s right on our doorstep!

We are so lucky to have a multitude of acclaimed best-selling authors, actors, food critics, chefs, artists, comedians, doctors, debut writers (one of whom wrote his first book at 104 years old!), Dames, Sirs & Ladies, and more!

Venues include the Marquee at Phyllis Court, Henley Town Hall and The Relais, with charitable support going to The Ovarian Care Fund and Bookmark Reading Charity. The organisation behind it all is incredible!

I know people who book the whole week off work and look forward to July when tickets are released; they treasure the HLF programme like children used to treat the Christmas Radio Times, circling everything they want to see, booking tickets and arranging lunch dates with friends around the events.

So far, I’ve managed to attend four completely different events.

The first was a tearfully joyful conversation with my daughter’s favourite author, the magical Michael Morpurgo, and his amazing wife Clare, daughter of Sir Allen Lane, founder of Penguin Books, with Culture Editor of The Independent, Jessie Thompson.

Having written more than 150 fictional books, inspiring young and old readers alike, Michael’s latest book, Down Burrow Lane, tells the story of their real-life love story; in Michael’s words, “Truth is more fantastical than any fiction”. Over the last 50 years, they have opened their home, a rural farm in Devon, to more than 100,000 children through their charitable foundation, Farms for City Children. Not only did Michael and Clare enrich the lives of others, but these children gave Michael the inspiration for many of his amazing stories.

Michael was so authentic and entertaining, and his storytelling really captured the entire room. The love and joy between him and Clare was infectious; everyone had a smile on their face and many a tear in their eye. What an honour to be in the presence of such a wonderful couple.

And next came a comedy fundraiser from year-round regular comedy favourites: HONK! Hosted by hilarious Helen Lederer, with diverse acts from Leah Davis, Rosie Holt, Athena Kugblenu, Tweedy the Clown, of Giffords Circus fame, and some clever, amusing poetry from Robin Ince. A great way to end Saturday night.

On Sunday, a packed-out Town Hall welcomed BBC One’s resident doctor, Xand van Tulleken, with his engaging and enlightening talk about the wellness industry.

Some of the most shocking insights concerned the supplement industry and the attitude of some of its investors towards whether their products actually work. Xand highlighted the gap between what companies know about their products and what consumers understand, questioning how much of the industry relies on marketing and consumer ignorance rather than solid evidence.

He also highlighted the vast difference between the retail price of collagen products and their actual wholesale cost, and suggested that something as simple as making a good stock to use in your cooking could be a perfectly sensible alternative!

Basically, try not to fall for the hype; listen to your doctor. And the greatest supplements you can take are the things you get joy from: friends, family, exercise. Do things you love with passion and enthusiasm, and be mindful and engaging.

I’ll be sticking to my yoga then!

On to the art world at The Relais Hotel on Monday morning, with internationally renowned painter Eric Butcher.

Having spent almost 30 years prior to 2020 as a successful process-based abstract painter, the pandemic gave Eric time to reflect. It was refreshing to hear him admit that, after hearing tales of heroism at this time, he saw how being an artist can be self-indulgent, rather pointless and vain, with no real reference to anything.

The anxiety about the environment made him see the hypocrisy between home life – recycling every tin can, etc. – compared to the “orgy of consumption” in his studio.

So he examined his practice and decided to only use what was already in his studio to create art, finding it cathartic pulling work apart to repurpose, recycling detritus, almost like “death cleansing”.

He feels more like an archivist now, creating his own back catalogue, and when there’s nothing left, he will cease creating art and therefore being an artist… He always fancied writing an “art-world bonkbuster”!

Eric was honest, engaging and amusing, but on a more serious note he admitted that he felt exploring the human condition had had its time; that time is not now. He believes we are destroying the world and that it’s time to question the practice of moving art and people all over the world as part of the international art circuit.

Eric is due to have a solo exhibition at Hastings Contemporary, one of his favourite art galleries.

I was also very sorry to hear of the sudden death of Jeffrey Archer, a Festival favourite who was due to appear yesterday to discuss his final novel, Adam & Eve. I was glad to hear that, in keeping with his family’s wishes that “the show must go on”, the event went ahead with Jeremy Vine and local author – and my own creative writing tutor – Cesca Major.

I’ll be reporting on food and wine next, after seeing restaurant critic Tom Parker Bowles, supermarket wine guide Helen McGann and Gower Cottage Brownies creator Kate Jenkins (go buy one from the HLF van in the town square – they’re delicious!)…

Running through 2-11 October there is still time to experience this fantastic festival – check out the talks and events coming up at Henley Literary Festival

Words & pictures: Emma Tallent