Stratford Literary Festival 2022

This year marks fifteen years of the annual Stratford Literary Festival, which Lodders has sponsored and supported each year since its launch in 2008.

Lodders has a long association with many of Stratford’s arts, charities and community organisations, but its relationship with Stratford Literary Festival, which this year takes place from 3rd to 8th May, is the firm’s longest-running in the town.

Beverley Morris, partner and head of Lodders’ top-ranking Family Law team, explains: “Lodders has had a long association with supporting events in and around Stratford upon Avon that highlight the cultural richness of the area and the great diversity of interest.

“We sponsor the Literary Festival for many reasons, but not least because it gives us the special opportunity to promote the great benefits to be derived from a love of literature and writing. The Festival is a marvellous opportunity to connect with the authors and to probe them on the inspirations behind their ideas.

“As a lawyer I have spent years committed to reading clients’ documents, correspondence, reports, valuations, spreadsheets, company accounts and so on, but it has never diminished the pleasure that I derive from reading in my ‘down time’ to help me unwind.

“Crime fiction is a favourite of mine, but this year sees Lodders sponsoring events with very diverse topics – Dr Louise Newson, author of ‘The Menopause’, Rupal Patel and Jack Meaning who will discuss ‘Can’t we just print more money’, and David Hendy and Henry Mance who will share their thoughts on ‘The BBC at 100’.”

Stratford’s Crowne Plaza Hotel is at the heart of the 2022 Festival, with numerous fringe events dotted around the town.

Line-up

Once again, the event boasts a superb line-up of leading writers and thinkers. Leading the packed programme is acting legend Sir Derek Jacobi, broadcaster and entertainer Julian Clary, Booker prize winner Howard Jacobson, Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen, Women’s Prize for Fiction winner Maggie O’Farrell, and top literary fiction authors Ali Smith, Tessa Hadley and Andrew Miller, whose book The Slowworm’s Song is this year’s Festival Book Club Read.

Fortunately podcast stars Jane Garvey and Fi Glover will be talking about the ‘chuff’ of life, alongside other stars of TV and radio including Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas, and Great Pottery Throwdown judge Keith Brymer Jones.

Festival Director, Annie Ashworth, comments: “Stratford Literary Festival has come a long way since we launched it in a tent in Avon Bank Gardens in 2008. This year’s programme, with its line-up of best-selling writers and opinion formers, is the vision of what we had in mind all those years ago come good.

“We are so grateful to our sponsors and grant givers, and especially thankful for Lodders’ support every one of the last 15 years, which was especially invaluable as the Festival grew and blossomed from relatively humble beginnings to the nationally recognised event that it is today, and continues to enable us to deliver literacy projects and outreach in schools and across the local community.”

Lodders’ sponsorship

The Lodders’ sponsored events at this year’s Festival are:
• 3rd May: Dr Louise Newson – The Menopause;
• 5th May: Rupal Patel and Jack Meaning – Can’t we just print more money;
• 6th May: David Hendy and Henry Mance – The BBC at 100 – what’s in store for Auntie.

Visit the event’s website for more information about the 2022 Stratford Literary Festival.