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Sir John Major joins our 30th Anniversary celebration

1992 was a momentous year for the small band of book-lovers in Wells preparing the city’s first ever Festival of Literature. It was equally challenging for the then Prime Minister who was ‘going to the country’ for the first time. And the odds were stacked against him. Labour, led by Neil Kinnock, was consistently ahead in the polls.  But all predictions were upturned, producing a win that was one of the most dramatic and memorable UK election results ever: in that 1992 general election, the Conservatives received the highest number of popular votes in history, a record that has yet to be beaten. 

The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH has continued to sweep away all the preconceptions, becoming instead someone who surprises, defies and impresses. As Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997, he oversaw Britain’s longest period of continuous economic growth, and the beginning of the Northern Ireland Peace Process.

We are delighted that Sir John has agreed to join us at this very special invitation-only event – on the evening of Monday 4 July – to mark the Festival’s 30th Anniversary.  Referring to his book, My Old Man, he will discuss the history of Music Hall, and the many characters who made it famous.  This will be followed by an Audience Q&A. 

The event is open exclusively to Friends and Sponsors of the Festival. To find out more about supporting the work of the Festival as a Friend or Sponsor, please go to the Support Us page.