Crowds packed into venues across Budleigh Salterton to hear  talks from more than 70 authors for this year’s literary festival. 

Organisers decided to go ahead with the festival - which began on Wednesday, (September 14) and ended on Sunday - ‘respectfully’ and with some changes to the initial plans for the event to honour Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

In a change to the original programme, bestselling royal biographer Andrew Lownie opened the festival. The organising committee also led the audience in a minute’s silence ahead of Andrew’s talk about Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy, her place in history and the impact of her loss on the nation and the world.  

The festival, which offered its children’s and families events free of charge, or for just £1, also celebrated 70 years of children’s books to mark the Queen’s jubilee.

Sue Briggs, chair of Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, said: “Along with the rest of the nation, our committee was deeply saddened by the death of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. After much deliberation and discussion, we decided to go ahead with the festival respectfully and with some changes, including the cancellation of our usual evening launch party. We’re also incredibly grateful to Andrew Lownie who agreed to attend at very short notice, and gave a fascinating and insightful talk.

“We had another fantastic festival. We’re very lucky to have a team of dedicated volunteers who ensure everything runs smoothly and we’re grateful to them for all they do. We would also like to thank our sponsors and benefactors whose generosity enables us to put on a high quality festival and also deliver our community work.” 

“The quality of interviewers, Julia Wheeler, Tim Hubbard, Carol Ackroyd and Justin Leigh really enhanced this year’s event and we also saw great support for local author events, including Angie Seaway, Andrew Chatterton and Graham Hurley. 

Top names visiting Budleigh Salterton this year included Jeremy Bowen, Dame Sheila Hancock, Baroness Floella Benjamin, explorer Benedict Allen, and brain surgeon Henry Marsh. A popular new addition this year was the Beach Hut Book Swap, where people could swap books. The festival also raises funds to provide free books for children and also takes authors into schools as part of its campaign to encourage a lifelong love of reading. 

To be the first to hear about next year’s event, sign up for the festival’s newsletter at www.budlitfest.org.uk