Paddy Ashdown and Peter Snow among guests at Staffordshire festival
Author Ruth Rendell, comedian Paul Merton, former politician Paddy Ashdown and journalist Peter Snow are among the acts appearing at a festival in Staffordshire.
The 33rd annual Lichfield Festival runs from July 4 to 13 and features a range of events through the city.
Ruth Rendell, author of the popular Inspector Wexford novels, takes to the Lichfield Garrick stage on July 6 at 12.30pm. She is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Wexford book From Doon with Death, and will be speaking about her career as a writer.
On July 5 Paul Merton, star of long-running news quiz Have I Got News For You, performs with his 'impro chums' at the Garrick on July 5 at 8pm, taking audience suggestions for sketches and working without a script.
Peter Snow will appear at the George Hotel on July 8 at 2pm for a talk entitled ' When Britain burned the White House' , looking at the events of August 1814 when, after defeating the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg, a British force led by Major General Robert Ross occupied Washington and set fire to public buildings.
Paddy Ashdown will take this year's Lichfield Lecture at the Lady Chapel on July 9 at 12.45pm. The lecture has been renamed 'The Peace Talks' this year to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, and Mr Ashdown, a former Royal Marines Officer and leader of the Liberal Democrats, will examine recent conflicts and the prospect of peace for the coming decades.
Comic Miles Jupp, known for his roles in BBC Two comedy Rev and children's favourite Balamory, will perform his latest stand-up show at the Garrick on July 8 at 8pm. He promises to look at fatherhood, the ageing process and the Government during the two-hour gig.
Other highlights include jazz musician Courtney Pine at the Garrick on July 12 at 8pm, and at the same time in the Garrick Studio, The Only Way is Downton - a parody of the hit drama by impressionist Luke Kempner.
There are also classical concerts by the John Wilson Orchestra, which will celebrate the work of Frank Sinatra on July 9, and Chetham's Symphony Orchestra on July 5 at the cathedral.
And comedy Julie Madly Deeply pays tribute to Mary Poppins and Sound of Music star Julie Andrews, featuring classic songs from her famous films at the Garrick Studio on July 4 at 8pm.
