On May 8, the bank holiday Monday of the coronation weekend, Alex Preston, author of the rip-roaring smuggling tale Winchelsea (see Rye News review) and Matthew Green author of Shadowlands: a journey through lost Britain (Rye News review), are taking visitors on a unique tour of Winchelsea, above and below ground, as they visit some of the atmospheric places that inspired their writing.
Both authors and the volunteers behind the scenes are giving up their time to raise money to maintain the town’s medieval buildings as part of the coronation’s Big Help Out.
Only 40 tickets are available for this special event, which will allow participants to see parts of the medieval town not usually open to the public. It’s an opportunity to see and hear about Winchelsea from the perspective of two very different writers and genres – fact and fiction.
Tickets, are £22.50 plus booking fee and can be purchased at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/foam/fact-fiction/e-qpbrgo
Reviews of the books
“If you haven’t read Winchelsea, imagine Daphne du Maurier crossed with Quentin Tarantino, and you will have some idea of just what a thrilling, bloody and heady ride this novel is” – Tom Holland
https://canongate.co.uk/books/3852-winchelsea/
“Shadowlands is so well researched, beautifully written and packed with interesting detail. Green is both historian and prophet, offering a warning we need to pay attention to… alarming and valuable.” – Claire Tomalin
https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571338030-shadowlands/
Note: the medieval cellars we visit have steep steps, so this event is not suitable for those with mobility issues, or young children and dogs. Please wear sensible footwear.