Raworths pledges new five-year sponsorship deal for Harrogate literary festival in boost for arts

The boost for the annual event was announced earlier this afternoon.

The pledge was made by its managing partner, Simon Morris, at a packed literary lunch at the town’s Crown Hotel, starring Calendar’s Queen of Dictionary Corner, Susie Dent.

This year marks a decade of Raworths association with the annual event, which is curated and produced by Harrogate International Festivals, and named by Harper's Bazaar as one of the UK's Best Literary Festivals.

Over the last ten years, the festival has welcomed an array of celebrated writers including former Prime Minister David Cameron, Sharpe creator Bernard Cornwell, Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York, former Labour leader Ed Miliband and more.

Guest speakers appearing alongside Susie at this year’s tenth anniversary Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival include Robert Harris, Professor AC Grayling, Nihal Arthanayake, Chris Ryan, Lady Brenda Hale, Sarfraz Manzoor, Carole Walker and Stella Duffy.

Mr Morris said: “We are very proud to have supported the Harrogate Literature Festival since its inception a decade ago.

"Over that time it has grown from strength to strength, bringing a diverse array of speakers to Harrogate, enriching the community and promoting the region.

“We are delighted to be committing to the next five years and look forward to working alongside the festival team in continuing to develop this cultural keystone.”

Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, said: “This month sees us celebrating ten years of an amazing partnership with Raworths, and I’m thrilled it’s to continue for another five years.

“We are incredibly proud of our relationship, and delighted that the firm has put its faith in us to continue to produce an exciting programme of events.

“What began as a series of speakers in our acclaimed Summer Season, which featured names such as Michael Palin and Richard & Judy with Raworths’ support has become this prestigious standalone weekend

“Raworths support also helps to bring free family activities and outdoor activations to the festival line up, which this year includes a book trail and a Talking Heads interactive digital installation outside The Crown Hotel.”

Remaining events at this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival include:

Friday,October 21, 7.00pm-8.00pm:Fake History with Otto English

Saturday, October 22, 10.00am-11.00am:A Trip to Lullaby Beach with Stella Duffy

Saturday, October 22, 11.30am-12.30pm:Ronnie Archer-Morgan: Would it surprise you to know…

Saturday, October 22 | 1.00pm-2.00pm:How To Have Better Conversations with Nihal Arthanayake

Saturday, October 22, 2.30pm-3.30pm:Generation COVID-19: How Did The Pandemic Change Our Collective Mental Health And Where Do We Go From Here - with psychotherapist Penelope Campling and more

Saturday, October 22, 4.00pm-5.00pm:The Kings & Queens of England with Peter Snow

Saturday, October 22, 5.30pm-6.30pm:What Next for British Politics with BBC political correspondent Carole Walker and more.

Saturday, October 22, 7.00pm-8.00pm:Let’s Do It: The Birth of Pop with Bob Stanley

Saturday, October 22. 8.30pm-9.45pm:An Evening with Chris Ryan

Sunday, October 23, 11.30am-12.30pm:Brenda Hale: Spider Woman

Sunday, October 23, 2.30pm-4.00pmA Hare-Marked Moon: From Bhutan to Yorkshire with the Earl of Harewood David Lascelles

Further information about Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, which is being held between Thursday, October 20, and Sunday, October 23, at The Crown Hotel, Harrogate, is available at: https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/raworths-literature-festival/