Writers are gathering in Richmond this month as the borough’s literature festival returns for its 24th year.

A packed schedule of events at more than 20 venues from November 6 to 27 includes talks about art, music and theatre as well as economics, history and even brain surgery. And with a special kids’ programme, there’s something for everyone.

Here’s our guide to 14 events you can’t miss…

Big Bang: The History of the Universe in 60 Minutes at Richmond Adult Community College from 7.30pm on Monday, November 9

Best-selling author and local resident Simon Singh discusses outlines civilisation’s greatest scientific discovery in an hour, with references to Led Zeppelin, the Teletubbies and electrocuted gherkins. Tickets cost £10 or £5 students aged 11 to 18.

A Curious Friendship: The Story of a Bluestocking and a Bright Young Thing at The Salon, York House, from 7pm on Thursday, November 12

One of the nation’s brightest young historians Anna Thomasson discusses the subjects of her latest book with biographer Anna Sebba. A Curious Friendship explores the extraordinary relationship between 51-year-old writer Edith Olivier and young artist Rex Whistler, who met for the first time in 1924 and whose circle included Siegfried Sassoon, and John Betjeman. Tickets cost £10 or £8.50 concessions.

King John: England, Magna Carta and the Making of a Tyrant at Riverside Room, Old Town Hall, from 7.30pm on Friday, November 13

Coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, Stephen Church’s biography disentangles the legend and reality surrounding the king with the worst reputation of all time, examining where it all went so wrong and how his failure led to the cornerstone of Britain’s constitution, the Magna Carta. Tickets cost £7.50, £6 concessions and £5 Richmond Card holders.

The Fairytale Hairdresser (for three to five-year-olds, 11am), The Magic Potions Shop (for five to seven-year-olds, 1.30pm) at Coach House, Orleans House Gallery, on Saturday, November 14

Children’s author Abie Longstaff presents amazing fun, interactive stories for children of various ages. It cost £4 per child.

Downstream: A History and Celebration of Swimming the River Thames at Riverside Room, Old Town Hall, from 2pm on Sunday, November 15

Caitlin Davies gives an illustrated talk on swimming in the Thames at Richmond – from Dickens in the 1830s to the formation of Richmond Swimming Club in 1883 to endurance swimmers in the 1980s and the current revival of ‘wild swimming’. Tickets cost £7.50, £6 concessions, £5 Richmond Card holders.

Vince Cable: After the Storm at Richmond Theatre from 7.30pm on Sunday, November 15

The former Twickenham MP and Business Secretary, shortly to be knighted, gives his unique and unfettered view of working in the coalition government and the state of the British economy. Tickets cost £19.25 or £16.25. Go to atgtickets.com/Richmond


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St Mary’s Short Story Workshop at St Mary’s University from 7pm on Monday, November 16

As part of National Short Story Week, the uni’s creative writing department will open up for a public workshop examining the craft and a workshop for the ‘merely curious, as well as the furiously ambitious’. There’s a maximum of 15 participants so book now. £6.

Killer Women: Crime Fiction Panel at Twickenham Library from 7.30pm on Wednesday, November 18

London-based crime writers Erin Kelly, KT Medina and Laura Wilson discuss what inspires their writing and the world of crime fiction. Tickets cost £7.50, £6 concessions or £5 Richmond Card holders.

Great Gardens of London at Marble Hill House from 1pm on Saturday, November 21

London is host to some of the most amazing and varied gardens and Victoria Summerley has had some enviable access. Here she shares some of the most fascinating stories of the plants and people of London’s most exciting gardens. Tickets cost £8 or £6.50.

The 101 Greatest Plays: From Antiquity to the Present at Orange Tree Theatre from 7pm on Sunday, November 22

Britain’s longest serving theatre critic, The Guardian’s Michael Billington offers his selection of the greatest plays from the Greeks to today, and explores what makes a great play. Tickets cost £12 or £10 at orangetreetheatre.co.uk

After the final whistle: The first Rugby World Cup and First World War at Coach House, Orleans House Gallery, from 7pm on Monday, November 23

When Britain’s Empire went to war in 1914, rugby players were among the first to volunteer and paid a disproportionate price. After the war, in 1919, a tournament was held to declare a first World Champion – more than a decade before Football held its own inaugural World Cup. Stephen Cooper tells this fascinating and largely unknown story. Tickets cost £8 or £6.50.

Heritage Walk: Market Garden History of Teddington, meeting outside Teddington Library, from 2pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday, November 25

Find out about novelist and horticulturalist RD Blackmore’s life and contribution to fruit growing on this guided walk. It’s free but donations are encouraged. Book at environmenttrust.co.uk

Joy Ride: Show People and their Stories at East Sheen Library from 7pm on Thursday, November 26

As senior drama critic at the New Yorker for twenty-one years, John Lahr interviewed greats like Arthur Miller, Harold Pinter, David Mamet and Ingmar Bergman. He’ll be discussing his career. Tickets cost £7.50, £6 concessions and £5 for Richmond Card holders.

The Pernickety Story of English Punctuation at Riverside Room, Old Town Hall, from 7.30pm on Friday, November 27

What is it about punctuation that causes such controversy? Why do people get so worked up about apostrophes and commas? Author of Making a Point, David Crystal explores the origins of punctuation, how we arrived at where we are today and where things are going. Tickets cost £7.50, £6 concessions or £5 Richmond Card holders.

Richmond Literature Festival runs from November 6 to 27. Go to richmondliterature.com

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