Borders Book Festival 2018
June 2004 saw a small literary gathering take place in the old Wynd Theater in the middle of Melrose, the brainchild of Alistair Moffat; what started with a few speakers and an audience of 400 has turned into a 4 day extravaganza with an audience of 25,300 in 2016. We’ve certainly come a long way since June 2004, when Paula Ogilvie walked into The Wynd Theatre in Melrose, shook her head and headed across the road to borrow some pot plants to make the stage look more inviting. That was the beginning of a great partnership between Alistair & Paula who are still running things today (with the assistance of a few others).
From the Wynd Theatre, we moved on to the Corn Exchange then Melrose Festival Ball Marquee before landing in Harmony Garden. In 2014 we expanded into The Orchard just over the wall from Harmony Garden – we’ve now got Tipi’s, stretch tents, old fire engines selling hot dogs, a creme brulee van and lots of coffee!
This year we’ve come full circle and have one of our first ever guests returning for the first time – we’re delighted to welcome Melvyn Bragg back to Melrose. I’m sure he’ll notice a few changes from his first visit!
| Event Announcement |
Paula McLain will be at the Borders Book Festival on Thursday 14th June, 7.45pm (Tickets: £13, £11 conc).
www.bordersbookfestival.org, Box Office: 0131 473 2000
@BordersBookFest
|Synopsis|
In 1937, courageous and independent Martha Gellhorn travels to Madrid to report on the atrocities of the Spanish Civil War, and finds herself drawn to the stories of ordinary people caught in devastating conflict. She also finds herself unexpectedly – and uncontrollably – falling in love with Ernest Hemingway, a man already on his way to being a legend. In the shadow of the impending Second World War, and set against the tumultuous backdrops of Madrid, Finland, China, and especially Cuba, where Martha and Hemingway made their home, their relationship and professional careers ignite.
But when Hemingway publishes the biggest literary success of his career, they are no longer equals, and Martha must make a choice: surrender to the suffocating demands of a domestic lifestyle, or risk losing her husband by forging her way as her own woman and writer. It is a dilemma that will force her to break his heart, and her own.
| Border Book Festival |
2018 Festival Programme: http://www.bordersbookfestival.org/programme-2018/
Website: http://www.bordersbookfestival.org
Twitter: @bordersbookfest
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bordersbookfestival
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bordersbookfest/
Melrose, perhaps the most picturesque town in the Scottish Borders, is easily accessible. Edinburgh (approx. 35 miles), Glasgow and Newcastle (approx. 70 miles) are all within striking distance.
The Train
You can reach us by train from Edinburgh in less than one hour, through beautiful countryside to Tweedbank Station, a handy 1.5 miles from the festival site. If you fancy a nice 20-minute stroll to Harmony from the train, just follow the book festival signs to Melrose. If walking isn’t for you, there is regular public bus service to Melrose from Tweedbank or Galashiels –
There are regular trains from Edinburgh Waverley (every 30 minutes at peak times)
The Bus
Melrose is easily accessible by bus, follow the links for bus time tables:
First Bus time tables
Major routes: A1, A68 and A7. If you are travelling by bus, coach or train and would like further information, please contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit: www.traveline.org.uk
PARKING
Parking: There is NO general parking at the Borders Book Festival. All parking is in Melrose town centre and is within easy reach of the festival venues. Restrictions will be in place on St. Mary’s Road from Weds 13 June – Mon 18 June and a diversion route from Abbey Street to Newstead will be in operation.
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Kelly Lacey & Love Books Tours 