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We are in the middle of the very first national History Writing Month and Central Bedfordshire Council’s libraries are joining the Historical Writers’ Association and the Reading Agency to celebrate this landmark by holding an interesting programme.


There are three big author events over the month featuring the following writers:

12 November - AL Berridge and JD Davies, The Men who Fight – soldiers and warriors. Come along to Shefford library at 7pm. 

A L Berridge (right), author of the Chevalier and the Victorian Harry Ryder series, Berridge’s writing has been compared to that of Bernard Cornwell. 

J D Davies (above), winner of the Samual Pepys Prize in 2009 and author of non-fiction titles on the history of seventeenth century England.

19 November - Rose Melikan and Jane Thynne, Would you Trust this Woman? Women in the shadowy world of espionage. Come along to Toddington library at 7
Rose Melikan (above), Fellow of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and author of a trilogy of novels set in the French Revolution featuring the redoubtable Mary Finch. Jane Thynne, who’s first novel features Clara Vine, an actress recruited as a British spy in Nazi Germany.

21 November - James Aitcheson and Michael Arnold, Warriors from 1066 to the Civil War. Come along to Flitwick library at 7pm.

James Aitcheson, (right) author of an action-packed trilogy following the fortunes of Tancred, a Norman knight, in the Battle of Hastings and its aftermath. Michael Arnold, creator of Captain Stryker, whose escapades during the civil war are the subject of four books so far.







Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities (Services) said: “We’ve got a fantastic selection of authors lined up for the first national History Writing month. With Hilary Mantel’s works on Thomas Cromwell selling like hot-cakes, this is clearly a growing genre. To hear more from real-life history writers, visit our libraries website - www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/libraries - and call the relevant library to book. At £1.50 a ticket, it’s a great value night out.”

Launching History Writing Month Sandeep Mahal, of the Reading Agency said, “Libraries are brilliant at reaching and engaging audiences who share the Historical Writers Association's fascination with all things historical.”

For more information on these and other events, visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/libraries Tickets for all library events are £1.50. Simply contact the library to reserve your seats.