Appledore turns itself into UK's first drive-in book festival

Appledore Book Festival is to go ahead with its annual fixture this autumn, reinventing itself as the UK's first drive-in literary festival. 

The North Devon literary event will this year be held in the grounds of Skern Lodge, which is able to accommodate over 100 socially distanced cars. The festival will run for five days from 18th to 22nd September, with five events each day, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m.

Festival attenders will be required to stay in their vehicles to watch events, and will be able to hear author interviews through the in-car Appledore Book Festival FM radio station, or via the PA system. Food and drink will be available to order in advance, and will be served directly to visitors in parked cars.

The festival's line-up includes former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo (pictured), science journalist Dr Michael Mosley, author Adele Parks, comedian Lucy Porter and author and broadcaster Jeremy Vine. Interviews will be conducted on a stage, observing social distancing, and will be streamed via an eight metre-wide screen. Signed copies of authors' books will be available for visitors to buy from drive-through book stalls, using contactless payment. 

Vine, who is a festival patron, said: "Once again, Appledore is at the cutting edge! Lockdown has been so hard for everyone but we honestly believe that, as things ease, people will be more desperate than ever for their annual fix of literature by the sea!  If there's ever been a drive-in book festival before, I've yet to hear of it.  I hope we have a festival like no other, and show the horrible coronavirus that you can't keep our great writers down."

Following previous years, the profits will go to support the festival's school literary programme. The festival organisers have, however, stipulated that should the UK return to full lockdown, or the government advise more stringent restrictions, the events will not take place. 

Director Ann Juby said: "We are hugely excited to be bringing, what we believe to be, the UK’s very first drive-in book festival. The advantage of a drive-in book festival means we can still offer a stimulating and comprehensive festival to our friends and supporters whilst following government restrictions and guidelines – all from the safety of their very own car. The fact that we can still showcase so many of the wonderful authors we already had confirmed is a real thrill and something we thought we wouldn’t be able to do this year. We hope our friends and supporters will come out and join us in celebrating our love of literature, books and the arts."