AWARD-winning writers will appear at the Shaftesbury Book Festival.

The theme for this year’s event, taking place between March 15 and 17, is Reading the Land, encouraging attendees to find a way to connect with the natural world.

Organisers aim to offer something for everyone, from wildflowers and farming, to rivers and forests, to minibeasts and birds.
Some of the country’s top nature writers will head to the Grosvenor Arms for the weekend.
This includes 2023 Wainwright Prize winners Amy-Jane Beer and Guy Shrubsole, who were awarded the titles for Best Nature Writing and Best Conservation Writing respectively.

Amy-Jane Beer won the 2023 Wainwright Prize for Best Nature Writing.

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Children will be able to enjoy activities at the Library and the Arts Centre.

From 2.30pm to 3.30pm on Saturday 16, and 10.30am-11.30am on Sunday 17, illustrator Yuval Zommer will lead a craft workshop, where children are able to create their own characters.

Folk musician Tim Laycock will offer two storytelling sessions from 10.30am to 11.15am, and 11.45am to 12.30pm on Saturday 16.

Nearby primary schools will be hosting events throughout the preceding week, with visits from local children’s authors Angela McAllister and Hannah Shuckburgh.

Guy Shrubsole won the 2023 Wainwright Prize for Best Nature Writing.

Organising committee member, Sue Clifford said: “We hope to stimulate positive ways of living with nature, and encourage the audience to share our passion for nature and the land around us.

“Our authors will share their insights, observations and encounters to explore subjects such as intricate ecosystems, conservation issues, the joy of time spent in nature and much more.”

To view the full lineup, visit shaftesburybookfestival.com/reading-the-land-2024. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, while all children’s events are free.