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 year's 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 members' 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 club's 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 club's 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 year's 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 year's festival.  Further announcements are expected soon, with the final progamme due to be published in June.  Last year's event attracted such names as varied as General Sir Mike Jackson, Irvine Welsh, Jeremy Paxman, John Mortimer and Mike Atherton.