RYEDALE Book Festival launches its journey-themed weekend of events this week.

Taking place in Malton from June 29 to July 1, activities are being held at The Friends Meeting House, The Old Lodge and Malton Library.

The weekend starts off with an informal coffee morning event with best-selling author and life coach Toni MacKenzie, followed by a dinner on Friday evening with two award-winning war-correspondents -Christina Lamb and Emma Jane Kirby, who have both written books about the refugee crisis.

A full day of events will take place on Saturday, with an eclectic range to suit anyone, including local historian John Heywood, Viking expert Max Adams and travel writer and photographer Mike Unwin.

Also on the bill is journalist Adrian Mourby as he shares the gossip about the secrets of the world’s most glamorous hotels and authors Rachel Hore and Raynor Winn. The day concludes with an evening of storytelling by festival favourite Ian Douglas.

Sunday sees the last of the events with a journey along part of the Wolds Way with television presenter and author Andrew White, who is leading a six-mile walk, which enters Malton Show as part of the event.

Children under 12 are free and there will be a shuttle bus taking people from Malton to the start of the walk, and back.

Festival director Sarah Tyson said: “As summer approaches and our thoughts turn to holidays and journeys and packing a book or two to take along, we are delighted to offer a weekend of alternative journeys to hear about from some of the country’s leading writers.”

Sarah said she would like to express her thanks to all the volunteers and community groups, local businesses and event partners who have worked for many months behind the scenes to make the festival happen.

“Organising a festival on a shoestring budget is a challenge and we are grateful to our lead sponsor Inntravel for its support of our inaugural Journey Fest,” she said.

“We hope lots of people enjoy discovering something new at the book festival and find our programme both entertaining and inspiring.”

For more information, go to at ryedalebookfestival.com or phone the box office 07983 943029.