Varied guest speakers to appear at Shute Festival this weekend

Shute Festival will make a return this weekend, bringing inspirational and stimulating guest speakers to this hamlet in the midst of East Devon's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The annual festival, first launched in 2016, has included talks by botanists, biographers, explorers, documentary makers, gardeners, historians, poets, novelists and travel writers in the intimate and beautifully-lit venue of St Michael's Church in Shute. 

Profits go towards Shute Community Primary School and the building and repairs of St Michael's Church, Shute.

This year's midsummer festival will be held this weekend (June 18 and 19). Speakers will include Seaton-based natural artist and writer Alex Boon; equine photography and copywriter Hannah Bourne Taylor of her debut nature memoir; Anastazie Toros on Ukrainian theatre; publisher, writer, lecturer and sculptor Hilary Bradt; poet Flora Cruft; charcoal burner and woodman Ben Short; and Janice Booth, whose working life has included stage management, compiling puzzle magazines, selling haberdashery in Harrods, overseas rural development, extensive solo travel and copy-editing for Bradt.

There will also be a tree walk led by Jill Butler, who until recently worked for the Woodland Trust as their ancient tree and wood pasture specialist and is now a trustee of both the Ancient Tree Forum and the Tree Register of the British Isles, and a landscape walk with geologist Richard Edmonds. 

Flamenco demonstrations will be offered by Jason Webster and Salud Botella, and there will be an African dance workshop lead by Carla Steenkamp Sheills.

For the full programme, visit www.shutefest.org.uk