Dorchester Literary Festival launch at Duchess of Cornwall

The festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and will welcome authors ranging from sports presenter Claire Balding to Gardener’s World presenter Rachel de Thame.

There was a fantastic turn-out at the launch, which was held at the Duchess of Cornwall Pub in Poundbury and was sponsored by Hall & Woodhouse.

Its chairman, Anthony Woodhouse, told a crowded room: "Our pubs, in order to be successful, have to be at the heart of community."

Chairman of Hall and Woodhouse Anthony Woodhouse, Antique Roadshow and Co-Director of DLF Paul Atterbury and Mayor of Dorchester Robin Potter (Image: Supplied) He explained that giving back in terms of charitable donations is at the core of what Hall & Woodhouse does, but also recognises the vital importance of bringing communities together through culture, in the form of music, food and literature festivals.

Mr Woodhouse said he finds it 'staggering' that there are 23 food banks and such widespread homelessness in Dorset.

READ MORE: Big names set for launch of literary festival 

Dorchester Mayor Robin Potter also attended the launch and said he was looking forward to Rory Cellan-Jones's talk on Sophie from Romania - a viral hit about a rescue dog - as members of his family also rescued dogs regularly and saw what a positive impact it made to everyone involved.

He also name-checked Saul David's Sky Warriors event about airborne troops in the Second World War as an area of interest following a recent trip to Bayeaux for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

DLF Directors Janet Gleeson and Paul Atterbury with the Weldmar team (Image: Supplied) April Ward, Weldmar's Head of Fundraising, said Weldmar is 'thrilled' to be 'chosen as DLF's charity this year, given the many deserving charities in Dorset'.

She added: "We're particular pleased it coincides with the opening of our new Weldmar bookshop in Dorchester where we'll be doing a beautiful festival window display."

Mark Damon Chutter, chairman and academic director of the Thomas Hardy Society, spoke with excitement about his forthcoming interview with Alan Hollinghust at the festival.

The author, who wrote Booker Prize winning novel In the Line of Beauty, inspired Mr Chutter's love of literature early on in his career.

He said: "I am thrilled to be interviewing Alan Hollinghurst  at the Dorchester Literary Festival.

"His work has been highly influential within the LGBT community particularly with The Line of Beauty and The Swimming Pool Library."

Dorchester Literary Festival runs from October 12 to 19 and tickets are now on sale via Dorchesterliteraryfestival.com