Phyllis Court latest venue to host literary festival events
Phyllis Court Club is the latest Henley venue to confirm that it
will host a number of events as part of this yearʼs Co-operative
Bank Henley Literary Festival, scheduled for September 19 to
21. Other venues that have already confirmed include the
River and Rowing Museum and the Kenton Theatre.
The private membersʼ club, which occupies a beautiful prime
location on the river Thames within walking distance of Henley
town centre, will host a range of events across the three day
festival. A number of locations within Phyllis Court Club
will be used, but most events will be held at the clubʼs
Grandstand Pavilion on the banks of the river, which overlooks
the famous Regatta finish line.
New for 2008, Phyllis Court will host a Ladies Literary Lunch on
Friday September 19 in its impressive ballroom, housed within the
clubʼs main building, a stunning Georgian mansion. The
final line-up for the lunch will be announced in due course, but
local authors are expected to feature strongly.
"We are delighted to be involved in this yearʼs event and welcome
the opportunity to give Henley residents and visitors a flavour
of the facilities and services Phyllis Court Club offers its
private members," said Stephen Taylor, Club Secretary and General
Manager.
Sue Ryan, Festival Director of the Co-operative Bank Henley
Literary Festival, added: "Given the success of our inaugural
festival last year and the overwhelming response in our mailbag,
we hope that the festival will grow from year to year. By
working with Phyllis Court Club, we are able to offer yet another
superb venue in an excellent location within walking distance of
other festival venues."
Globetrotting renowned author and actor Michael Palin is the
first major name to be announced in the line up for this yearʼs
festival. Further announcements are expected soon, with the
final progamme due to be published in June. Last yearʼs
event attracted such names as varied as General Sir Mike Jackson,
Irvine Welsh, Jeremy Paxman, John Mortimer and Mike Atherton.