Described as “the force behind the wild swimming movement” (Triathlon), Kate Rew is founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society and author of Wild Swim (2009), the definitive guide to swimming in Britain’s great outdoors. A huge hit at last year’s festival, we’re delighted to welcome her back to lead us on more inspiring swims in such a beautiful setting.
Read more ...
Magnum photographer Martin Parr is a self-proclaimed ‘populist’ photographer who’s had almost 50 books published and featured in around 80 exhibitions worldwide. His iconic photographs provide a thought-provoking, satirical commentary on the social and consumer world around us. We’re delighted to welcome him back to Port Eliot this year, where he’ll be presenting his Parrworld show.
Read more ...
Contemporary poet Luke Wright performs the world premiere of his much-anticipated new show Cynical Ballads at this year’s festival. A 4Talent Award winner in 2007, Luke burst into the limelight in 2006 with his show Poet Laureate, which combined a unique blend of comedy and poetry to promote to audiences why he should be considered as an alternative to Britain’s next laureate.
Read more ...
Considered one of the finest potters of his generation, Edmund de Waal’s work has been exhibited widely and is held in many international collections. A leading authority on ceramics, he has written several books including 20th Century Ceramics (World of Art) (2003) and Signs and Wonders: Edmund De Waal and the V&A; Ceramics Galleries (2010) which he co-wrote. His latest, The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance is published this summer.
Read more ...
Gavin Pretor-Pinney is a designer and writer. He founded the Cloud Appreciation Society; is author of the bestseller The Cloudspotter’s Guide; co-founder of The Idler magazine; and author of the Wavewatchers Companion (out later this year). If you've ever wondered why your heart beats, snakes slither, suspension bridges collapse, butterfly wings shimmer, saucers fly and traffic jams, then gather round and listen to Gavin talking about waves at Port Eliot this year.
Read more ...
Joanna Walsh, aka ‘Baudade’ (“a person given to idle observation of everything with wonder or astonishment; a credulous or gossipy idler”) is an award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in the Guardian, the Times, the Telegraph, the Independent, the Economist, Die Woche, the New York Times, World of Interiors and the Wall Street Journal. Artist-in-residence at this year’s festival, she’ll be capturing the magic of Port Eliot on paper as it unfolds…
Read more ...
Tim Knox is director of Sir John Soane's Musuem and author of the first major illustrated history of and guide to the museum: Sir John Soane's Museum, London (2009). He’ll be presenting Flights of Fancy: Stuffed Birds as Interior Decoration in the English Country House.
Read more ...
Edward Fox OBE is an actor with a long and varied career on stage, television and screen. His film accolades include The Day of The Jackal (1973), A Bridge Too Far (1977) and Gandhi (1982). He has enjoyed a successful career in television and his work includes Edward & Mrs Simpson and the BBC's adaptation of George Eliot's Daniel Deronda. We’re delighted to welcome him to Port Eliot this year, where he’ll be reading TS Eliot’s ‘The Wasteland’.
Read more ...
“We're here to make you happy, we're here to make you jive. We're here to make you party like it's 1595!” Comprising the three core members of psych/medieval/prog band, Circulus, this ‘Tudor power trio’ regularly bring a rowdy peak to many a London bash, as well as being featured on The Mighty Boosh. They promise surprise performances across the Port Eliot grounds, from the maze to our hidden groves... Intrigued? You should be.
Read more ...
Matthew De Abaitua is an author interested in sci-fi and camping. His We Are Camping tour through Port Eliot’s campsite will explore the pleasures and promise of camping, and unveil the secrets of the occult radical scouting movement, The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift. He'll also be running How Not To Write in The Idler Academy, exploring why he wrote such terrible poetry as a teenager. Learn from his mistakes and become a better writer...
Read more ...
