This year’s star-studded programme features bestselling poets and novelists, acclaimed nature writers, historians and big name journalists, as Margery Hookings has been finding out

Leading the charge at this year's Bridport Literary Festival(3-9 November) is the new Poet Laureate Simon Armitage (3 Nov), along with three acclaimed writers discussing their latest novels - Melvyn Bragg, Love without End: A Story of Abelard and Eloise (8 Nov), Deborah Moggach, The Carer (8 Nov) and David Nicholls, Sweet Sorrow (9 Nov).

Max Hastings provides a dramatic retake on the familiar in Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943 (3 Nov), while Tim Bouverie gives a compelling reappraisal of one of the most controversial episodes in British history in Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War (3 Nov). Tom Holland explains why Christianity is the most influential legacy of the ancient world in Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World (8 Nov).

Historian Christopher Somerville gives an insight into Ships of Heaven: The Private Life of Britain's Cathedrals (3 Nov), telling the stories of monarchs and bishops who ordered the building of these massive edifices and the masons whose genius created them.

Jason Goodwin remembers his mother, Jocasta Innes, in A Life in Colour (5 Nov). It's all in the name for nature writers Stephen Moss - Mrs Moreau's Warble: How Birds Got Their Names (7 Nov) - and Peter Marren Emperors, Admirals & Chimney-Sweeps: The Naming of Butterflies and Moths (5 Nov). Meanwhile legendary cricket broadcaster and national treasure Henry Blofeld leads us through his A-Z of Cricket (5 Nov).

Also on the bill are journalists Lindsey Hilsum (In Extremis: The Life of War Correspondent Marie Colvin, 9 Nov), Steve Richards (The Prime Ministers: Reflections on Leadership, 9 Nov) and Matt Frei, Europe Editor and Channel 4 News presenter is guest speaker at the George Millar Literary Dinner at the Tithe Barn, Symondsbury discussing The Rise of Nationalism (7 Nov).

Local authors Rosanna Ley, Gail Aldwin and Maria Donovan share their experiences of writing about place in fiction in Spirit of Place (3 Nov). And Dr Celia Brayfield discusses her latest book, Rebel Writers (6 Nov) and leads a life writing masterclass at The Literary & Scientific Institute (7 Nov).

This is just a brief taste of some of the 42 events happening across town in the first week of November. Find the full line-up and book tickets at bridlit.com.

LET'S GO!

Bridport Literary Festival (3 - 9 November) has a jam-packed programme of 42 events to appeal to booklovers of all tastes. Pick up the free Festival brochure at venues throughout the area or download at bridlit.com. It includes a map showing the location of all the Bridport Literary Festival venues such as the Electric Palace, The Bull Ballroom, Sladers Yard in West Bay and Bridport Library. You can buy tickets online at bridlit.com or at Bridport Tourist Information Centre, 01308 424901.