LORD Wandsworth College was delighted to host The Festival of Book Clubs for the fifth year running which featured a fantastic range of authors this year.

Louise Doughty, whose novel ‘Apple Tree Yard’ was dramatised earlier this year by the BBC; crime novelist William Shaw; acclaimed novelist Sandra Howard; Alastair Langlands writing about the literary history of Hampshire and Sue Gee whose recently published 11th novel ‘Trio’ has received glowing reviews.

Master of Ceremonies for the festival was Tim O’Kelly from One Tree Books in Petersfield. Adam Williams, headmaster at the college welcomed guests and gave a brief introduction to the festival and some background about Lord Wandsworth College, a well-respected boarding and day school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18.

The festival is the brain child of local resident, former teacher and book aficionado Eila Huxford. Mrs Huxford and her book club wanted to give something back and thus organised a book sale with monies raised going to Book Aid International.

From these small seeds grew a much larger literary event with over 100 guests attending this year from a variety of local book clubs.

Lord Wandsworth College offered to host this event and became the annual festival venue in 2012. Each year a different, local charity is supported and this time Step by Step was chosen to receive the festival’s support.

The organisers wish to thank all their wonderful book club volunteers and the many local businesses who sponsored this year with articular thanks go to Lord Wandsworth College for its ongoing support and kindly hosting this successful event once again.