Nine top authors are booked to feature at the Fairford Festival Book Fest over the weekend of June 9 and 10.

Come and meet your favourite author; discover new ones; listen to the authors talk about their books; ask questions if you want to; learn about their inspiration for their books; buy their book or books and have them personally signed by the author! This is a great opportunity to interact with multiple well-known authors!

Authors include Steven Antony and Jo Empson on Friday June 9 in Fairford Library.

Then, on Saturday June 10 in the Literary Marquee at Fairford Cricket Club, seven more authors will be appearing including Emma Reeves, Sandra Howard (former Vogue model), Anne de Courcy, Michael McCarthy – a local historian who has written about the extraordinary tale of the real Dick Whittington and Jessica Fellowes (authority on Downton Abbey). Plus Paul Martin – famous for Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip – tells his story of how he went from a drummer in well-known bands to an antiques expert with exciting new programmes out in April and May. And comedian and travel writer, Dom Joly, who will be interviewed by Steve Knibbs, the Gloucestershire reporter for BBC Points West. Dom’s books include The Dark Tourist where he visits Chernobyl, Lebanon, North Korea and the Killing Fields of Cambodia; and Scary Monsters & Super Creeps, where he goes in search of Big Foot and the Yeti!

Tickets are now available for the Book Fest event on Saturday June 10 at £10 for all-day on a pop-in pop-out basis for adults or children over 10 years of age: Go to Eventbrite and search Fairford Festival Book Fest.

Tickets for the Book Fest event in the Library on Friday June 9 coming soon.

• There will be Lent gospel readings starting at 12 noon on Friday March 17, 24, 31 at St Thomas’ Church, Horcott. A soup lunch will also be provided. St Mary’s Church, Fairford is providing the soup on March 17 and are looking for volunteers to help make it. Volunteers are also needed to read St Luke’s Gospel on March 24. If you can help with either or both these tasks, please contact Jenny Hewes on 01285 712200 or Margaret Bishop on 01285 238834.

• Please do come along to Fairford Community Centre (Farmor Room) on Tuesday March 21 at 7pm to hear about the Friends’ achievements for the last year and plans for the next year over a glass of wine/hot drink. Speaker will be Stephen Andrews who will give a short talk and demonstration on defibrillators. For more information, contact Kerry on 01285 707300, admin@friendsoffairford.org.uk.

• The World Dayof Prayer is on Friday March 23 at the United Church, Milton Street, Fairford. There will be tea and cake afterwards.

• A date for your diary and still time to book a stall. Fairford Primary School Summer Fete is going to be big this year and will be on Saturday May 20 from 12 noon-3pm in the school grounds with stalls, bar, bbq and activities. Would you like to reserve a stall at the Fete for £10 plus a small raffle prize donation – crafters, local businesses etc? To book a stall or to find out more, contact Donna on donna.m.bull@gmail.com.

• The Friends of Fairford & Lechlade Communities has now re-opened the much-loved Edna Dawes Lunch Club. Currently taking place on Wednesdays to provide a hot meal, activities and social interaction for isolated elderly people. Transport can be provided. For more information, contact: 01285 707300, admin@friendsoffairford.org.uk. Volunteers are also needed, so please get in touch if you can help.