Tickets are on sale for the brand-new Cirencester History Festival

The new Cirencester History Festival, which will run from 26 October to 3 November, will feature one of Britain’s foremost military historians, Sir Max Hastings, and a live audience recording of the smash hit podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives with national treasure Reverend Richard Coles, bestselling archaeologist Dr. Cat Jarman and historian Charles Spencer. They join an impressive lineup of speakers including Jonathan Dimbleby, Natalie Haynes, Janina Ramirez, and Ronald Hutton – along with more than thirty events and activities for all the family.

Full programme and tickets are available from 6 September 2024 at cirencesterhistoryfestival.org

Max Hastings and Operation Biting

On 26 October, Sir Max Hastings will share a thrilling account of Operation Biting, one of WWII's most daring and successful British Commando raids, in Cirencester’s majestic Parish Church. Through an engaging illustrated talk, Hastings will unravel the 1942 parachute assault behind enemy lines that captured Hitler's radar secrets, a mission that changed the course of the war. Sir Max Hastings, a celebrated author, journalist, and broadcaster, currently writes for The Times and Bloomberg and regularly reviews for The Sunday Times.

Live Audience Recording of The Rabbit Hole Detectives Podcast

On 31^st October, in Cirencester’s impressive Bingham Hall, Rev. Richard Coles, Cat Jarman and Charles Spencer will take us on an intriguing journey into the origins of some of history's most fascinating objects. Past episodes have explored topics ranging from Viking ring fortresses to posh priestesses via bagpipes and soap! The live recording will blend expert analysis with captivating storytelling, offering a mix of fascinating and frivolous facts, personal anecdotes, and a generous dose of humour.

Festival Producer Jess Yarrow remarks, "We are thrilled to welcome Max and the Rabbit Hole Detectives, who brilliantly represent the diversity of talks and experiences on offer at the first ever Cirencester History Festival – from punditry to some guaranteed fun!

“We cannot wait for everyone to get stuck into the programme on 6 September and find something just right for them, whether a talk or historical cookery school, a tasting history of curry or some Halloween dressing up. We’ve already had so many people sign up for our newsletter on our website to receive further updates.”

Cirencester History Festival is organised in collaboration with Gloucester History Festival and, like Gloucester, comprises a core programme of talks from some of the nation's leading broadcasters, historians, and thinkers as well as many fascinating local voices. Cirencester History Festival is also working with over thirty local organisations to provide a creative fringe of immersive and family activities, and with local charity partners to provide a variety of off-programme community events during festival week.

Dame Fiona Reynolds, President of Cirencester History Festival, enthuses, "This festival is a testament to our community's dedication and passion for history. It is truly a collaboration between multiple organisations that have and will contribute so much to this festival.

“I encourage everyone to check out the programme, secure their tickets early, as strong interest is anticipated, and support all those who have dedicated so much time and energy. The line-up is terrific."

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure, and Parking said: “We're pleased to support the brand-new Cirencester History Festival this autumn, which promises to be a memorable event for everyone locally! This festival is an important reminder of Cirencester’s rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire.

“As a Council we value events like these, which bring people together in our community and boost our local economy, and that is why we have contributed £2,500 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund.

“I'm going to attend the Festival myself and I encourage people to come along to enjoy the interesting programme of talks, workshops, crafting and more!”

TALKS PROGRAMME:

In addition to Max Hastings and The Rabbit Hole Detectives, highlights include: On 3 November, just days before the U.S. election, Jonathan Dimbleby will be in conversation at The Barn Theatre, tracing the current conflict between Putin and the West back to Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt in 1944. Also, at The Barn Theatre on 3 November, rockstar mythologist Natalie Haynes will bring Greek goddesses to life with her stand-up show Divine Might. On 28 October at Corinium Museum, beloved pundit and witch expert Ronald Hutton will reveal the pagan roots of Halloween. Sunday 27 October is a day for medieval fans at The Barn, with Alison Weir and Nicola Tallis exploring the rivalry between sister queens Mary I and Elizabeth I, followed by Matthew Lewis, Nathen Amin and Nicola Tallis debating who killed the Princes in the Tower. On 2 November bestselling historian and broadcaster Marc Morris will delve into the Anglo-Saxons and the myths surrounding the beginnings of England at the annual Winstone Talk in the Cirencester Parish Church. Fellow broadcaster and anthropologist Mary-Ann Ochota uncovers Britain’s mysterious past through its most intriguing artefacts at the Royal Agriculture University on 1 November, and Gareth Harney reveals the fascinating backstory to the bloody Ides of March through contemporary Roman coinage at the Corinium Museum on 29 October. Children’s author Annelise Gray delves into the deadly Roman sport of chariot racing at the Corinium Museum on 2 November and Dr. Janina Ramirez, President of the Gloucester History Festival, will kick off the festival on 26 October with a new talk on mystical medieval women in Cirencester Parish Church.

Our rich local history is being put in the spotlight with an illustrated exploration of Cirencester’s lost Georgian brewery; a new take on the end story of Chedworth Roman Villa with Martin Papworth and Julie Reynolds; the surprising history of sheep farming in the Cotswolds; the life of magician, showman and inventor, John Nevil Maskelyne and a daughter’s account of the English rose model and muse, Jean Dawnay at Christian Dior.

FAMILIES PROGRAMME

The festival also offers over 30 immersive and family-friendly activities catering to the broadest possible audience over half-term week, many of which are free. You can: learn how to write your own historical novel at Waterstones; make a traditional pie for your whole family with the Cotswold Cookery School; meet a Roman doctor and beautician from Chedworth Roman Villa; make a historical villain Halloween costume with the Barn Theatre and New Brewery Arts; discover your past at Cirencester Library; make a clay gargoyle at the Corinium Museum; have a behind-the-scenes tour of the old House of Fraser building with the Long Table team; meet children’s authors at Octavia’s bookshop – and so much more!

Visit cirencesterhistoryfestival.org for full programme, tickets and to sign up to our mailing list. The town’s two visitor centres will also be selling tickets, in-person. Please go to Cirencester’s Corinum Museum or the local information centre at Bingham House.