READING fans can look forward to a packed programme of events at the fourth annual Ryedale Book Festival this weekend.

Organisers of this year’s event which takes place in Malton on Saturday and Sunday say the varied activities should appeal to all with 40 imaginative events.

The big name for young readers is Charlie and Lola’s creator Lauren Child. Her event at 3.30pm at The Old Lodge on Sunday will focus on the less well known character Clarice Bean and will take the form of a Birthday tea party as Charlie and Lola are celebrating their 15 year anniversary this year. This event, intended for children over five years, will include a story, quiz, party tea, as well as the opportunity to meet Lauren.

Sarah Banks, who is hosting the event, said: “We are looking forward to meeting Lauren. So many people have worked hard to add the finishing touches to this event – I am sure it will be a very memorable occasion for all who are involved.”

The festival hub this year will be in the Old Town Hall. Events will be upstairs including performances from the band in residence who have travelled from Bristol – The Bookshop Band and Britain’s leading book sculptor Su Blackwell who will be talking about her intricate creations and holding a masterclass in the afternoon."

There is an events about “the life of a book” and a book fair for local writers and more book-related events that have been created by other charities in the community such as the Croft Community, local churches and the Laurence Sterne Trust at Shandy Hall, Coxwold.

A literary lunch will be held at The Talbot on Saturday with Clare Morpurgo, wife of War Horse author Michael Morpurgo and daughter of Allen Lane. The focus of Clare’s talk will be her father, who founded the Penguin publishing house 80 years ago and defended the publication of DH Lawrence’s scandalous Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

Saturday evening begins with a tour of Yorkshire’s Famous Sportsman by Sports Columnist and writer Harry Pearson, followed by more laughter in the Milton Rooms with Radio 4 and Edinburgh regular John Hegley.

On Sunday nature lovers should head to Castle Gardens, for “a festival within a festival”, from 10.30am to 3pm.

Sarah Tyson, festival director, said: “The concept of this event was really popularity last year so we have expanded it to make it even better. It is has been specifically designed to be affordable for families and the interactive events should appeal to a wide range of ages.”

"There is a general theme of nature and birds that are perfect for the location of the gardens. Guests will include respected environmental writer Michael McCarthy, storytellers, musicians, poets and The Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen."

Wildlife artist Matt Sewell, dubbed as the Banksy of Birds, will also be creating a huge mural in the gardens.

Sarah said: “We are so lucky that Matt has agreed to design a piece of large art for Ryedale. He receives commissions from organisations such as the RSPB. We are looking forward to seeing what he will create for our community and hope that the opportunity to watch a 'graffiti' artist at work will attract visitors to this event.”

Also on Sunday five writers covering five different writing genres will all be speaking at the Old Town Hall. Ranging from bestselling historical novelist Iain Pears and crime writer Frances Brody to Lucy Foley’s debut novel and Man Booker Prize nominee Stephen Kelman, not the forget non—fiction writer Christopher Tadgell, who is a leading authority on architecture.

The finale of the weekend involves a celebration of Life in North Yorkshire with speakers Neil Hanson and one of Yorkshire’s most famous shepherdess, Amanda Owen. This event has been created with community partner Ryedale Special Families.

Sarah said: “As a mother of eight, it seemed very fitting that Amanda should be involved in a fundraising event for children with special needs. We hope that it will be well attended to raise funds for this worthy charity – it certainly will be a very entertaining evening and a lovely end to the weekend.

“More people than ever are involved this year. Our lottery grant from Arts Council England is a huge help but is financial and practical support from local businesses, the Town and District Councils, Malton CIC, The Old Lodge, The Talbot and The Milton Rooms and other community groups that really make an event like this happen. Big thanks to all involved.

" I hope that people will attend the event and want to get involved in the future – we still hope to set up a Ryedale Readers Group one day and then we can invite authors to visit the area all year round.”

For more information go to www.ryedalebookfestival.com