News

Well, we've got a new government!  

And there certainly seems a welcome spirit of hope and optimism among us all in having this change. 

The nation's mood wasn't hurt by England finally winning on penalties last night either!

Change isn't always seen as positive, though, and can often be difficult to handle.

When times are tough, it's good to have something to take us out of ourselves. Watching sport - or theatre or music - with others can be an intense, communal and companionable activity. 

In our event at The Riverside tomorrow evening we'll be joining together to meet former elite athlete Iwan Thomas as he presents his autobiography 'Brutal', telling us about his life in sport, the adoration, support and success, and how he coped when it all came to an end.

I hope you'll be coming along for what promised to be an inspiring and stimulating conversation, with a fabulous book to take home with you afterwards.

There's still time to get your ticket if you're thinking of coming along - you can book online here: www.theriverside.co.uk.

Thank you for reading.
 

My weekend has been spent at the Felixstowe Book Festival where I've had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing the barrister Michael Mansfield, AI guru Nigel Toon, novelist (and psychotherapist) Emily Howes and theatre director Dominic Dromgoole.

It's always fascinating meeting authors but this time I've been treated to people who have successful careers in addition to their writing.  

And it's been as inspiring as always but with a call to action throughout.

With our world seeming a very challenging place at the moment and its problems too big for 'the little people' to influence, it's been good to be reminded once again that we can, and should, make a difference.

Complaining about our politicians isn't good enough - we must vote! And if it's still not good enough, we should act - look at how Alan Bates is bringing the Post Office to book and there are citizens' assemblies working in Wales. Be indignant not indifferent, says Michael Mansfield.

Worrying about the encroaching tread of technology is pointless. Instead we should get better informed and be more selective in our choices, then press decisionmakers to be involved on our behalf. There are exciting opportunities ahead with AI if we manage it correctly, says Nigel Toon. 

Even watching the theatre, film, television or any of the arts - our response as an audience matters and ultimately has more sway than that of any small group of select or elite viewers, says Dominic Dromgoole. So let's support local theatre and artistic endeavours.

But in all of these presentations, there has been such a pleasure  in meeting in person. The connection between audience and speaker, and the sense of the shared experience with uninterrupted and focused attention is always very special.

So, in eight days' time we'll be hearing from champion athlete Iwan Thomas about the challenges he's faced and overcome in his career, and the lessons he has to share. If you heard him speak on BBC Radio Suffolk on Friday you'll know we have a treat in store! Come and meet him in person at The Riverside Woodbridge!

Thank you for reading.
 

Have you been tuning in to the various debates and interviews by candidates for the upcoming election? 

I was full of good intentions at the outset but I've never enjoyed the shouting, belittling and haranguing of heated debates and these continue to be commonplace on our tv screens or in radio programmes today.   

I did attend the local hustings, though, and was very encouraged that the audience members and four candidates all spoke in turn with respect and courtesy. There was no talking over each other and when incorrect information or accusations were made, individuals waited until it was their turn to respond before setting the matter straight. It was so refreshing, and it didn't undermine any one person's position. We were all listening and heeding the points that were being made. It illustrated how we don't need histrionics to appreciate the seriousness of a situation or position. 

This was the case, too, during the Post Office inquiry earlier this month when the barrister Mr Beer interrogated the decisions and motivation of Paula Vennells as she dealt with the Horizon IT scandal. He never once raised his voice, nor did he make emotive or personal observations about her actions, and yet his questioning had huge impact and was revealing for its quiet, truth-telling. 

My reading this week has included the book by Alistair Campbell urging us to all to get involved in politics (scroll down for details). In it he mentions that part of the reason his podcast 'The Rest is Politics' has gained such a vast, appreciative audience is because of the way he and Rory Stewart have debated their conflicting political views.   

'We try to "disagree agreeably",' he says. 'This approach seems to strike a chord with a lot of people. But it is anathema to the polarising populist who needs divisiveness, who feeds off anger and hate, who wants disagreements to be disagreeable.'

Let's hope we continue to hear more respectful debate in the future. 

Of course at book group that's always the case!

Do let me know if you're coming along to our discussion in Woodbridge tomorrow for 'Close to Home' by Michael Magee.

Or perhaps I'll see you in Framlingham on Wednesday, or at Felixstowe Book Festival at the weekend! 

Thank you for reading.

Despite us all dodging downpours and thunderstorms to get there, it was a full house to hear Elly Griffiths at the fabulous Slaughter in Southwold crime-writing festival yesterday. 

And I understand that my conversation with Michael Mansfield at the Felixstowe Book Festival later this month is now at capacity. 

As organisers, we are delighted when an event is popular and well-supported. But it's been a common observation among those putting on concerts, performances, festivals and talks, that bookings are being made much later these days. It's a hangover from Covid, apparently, we're all keeping our options open until the last minute!

The next few weeks are going to be very busy. In the sporting calendar alone we have the Euro 2024 matches, Wimbledon and the Olympics. But I hope you'll take respite from your screen and enjoy some live, stimulating conversation at the festivals and events which are taking place - and book your place early to help organisers sleep at night!

So if you have your diary to hand, note that Patrick Barkham is speaking for Suffolk Book League this Wednesday. And it's the First Light festival at Lowestoft next weekend.

We have our Woodbridge book group on Monday 24 June to discuss 'Close to Home' by Michael Magee. Do let me know if you're coming along to that meeting and I'll send you the details, as well as news of our next title.

And the following Wednesday in Framlingham we'll be talking about 'The Marriage Portrait' by Maggie O'Farrell. Everyone is welcome at Ottie and the Beafor that. 

There are a number of sessions at the Felixstowe Book Festival with tickets still available - perhaps you'll join me in finding out about artificial intelligence with Nigel Toon, first nights with Dominic Dromgoole and the lives of Gainsborough's daughters with novelist Emily Howes.

And, although it is still three weeks away, don't delay in booking your places for our visit by Iwan Thomas at the Riverside on Monday 8 July. There's no football that night! And it's sure to get you in the mood for Paris with Iwan's talk of his experience of Olympic training and competition, as well as everything else he has to share with us.

It's tough for anyone organising events these days, and likely to become more so for the bigger music and literature festivals as sponsors like Baillie Gifford and Barclays withdraw, so I hope you'll join me in planning ahead and looking forward to attending some great bookish events this summer! 

Thank you for reading.

It's difficult to know what to write this evening as today brought the news we feared in the sad loss of author and broadcaster, Michael Mosley. 

For someone so vibrant and healthy, who, through almost a dozen books and a strong and engaging media presence, had urged us all to live well, to have met such a shocking, tragic and seemingly unnecessary death is difficult to take on board. A sequence of small but bad decisions, apparently, led to him being exposed and vulnerable in an unforgiving landscape. 

Even though few of us knew him personally, his disappearance was felt keenly by so many. 

'Radio at its best makes you feel like its presenters are friends,' says broadcaster, Emma Barnett.

And the comments posted on social media since he went missing have confirmed our impressions that he was a warm, generous, genuine man who was also a brilliant communicator, able to make complex subjects simple. 

His books about adopting better lifestyle habits, losing weight and a healthier diet have literally changed lives.

Former Labour MP Tom Watson who overcame diabetes through following Michael Mosley's books, says of the man: 'Through courageous, science-based journalism, Michael Mosley has helped thousands of people get well and healthy. I'm one of them. He was a hero to me.'

What an extraordinary contribution to have made and what a legacy to leave. 

As one commentator, educational speaker Alison Kriel, said on X: 'He taught us about the importance of wellbeing and taking care of ourselves. And now he's teaching us how short life can be, and how easily it can be taken from us. In his memory let's embrace each day and strive to live our best lives fully (and healthily).'

Thank you for reading.