The festival continues today and tomorrow with a stellar line-up which includes Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, novelist Sarah Perry, comedy and podcast star Adam Buxton and distinguished art historian TJ Clark.

Adam, Buxton(Image: Olivia Hemingway)

But new for this year is Mini Mannington. To increase the local impact of the Bash, 400 local primary school pupils will be brought to the festival site at Mannington Hall for a morning of their own events. And Simon Armitage will perform a special show for students at Aylsham High School. Both events are free of charge to the children, their families and schools.

'On this third outing of The Mannington Book Bash we are fulfilling one of our first intentions - to bring literary events to all people in rural areas,' says Henry Layte, festival organiser and owner of The Book Hive shops in Norwich and Aylsham.

Henry Layte, organiser of Mannington Book Bash.(Image: Sonya Duncan)

'To that end, not only have we got another fantastic line- up of speakers across art, politics, fiction and entertainment, but we have also programmed events for younger people. The renowned children's author Guy Bass will give one of his hilarious shows for seven local primary schools, who will be bussed to the festival for a morning's entertainment.

'In addition, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will visit Aylsham High School to perform especially for the students there. This is all being laid on by us at no charge to the schools or the pupils.

'If anyone would like to sponsor these events there is Back the Bash scheme running on the festival website where people can donate £100 to help make it possible.'

Historic Mannington Hall, the venue for the Book Bash.(Image: Mark Bullimore)

Simon Armitage

Poet Laureate and friend of the festival and shop, Simon Armitage, will be opening the Book Bash with an event marking the publication of his new book New Cemetery, which was originally published, in........

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