Prof. Tom Williamson heads the Landscape Group within the School of History at the University of East Anglia. He specialises in the English landscape from later prehistory to the present day especially parks and gardens of the 18th and 19th centuries.

From Keeper Briony Hudson - The Miss Lewis Memorial Lecture.

Hitchin Library and Waterstones have joined forces to host a talk by best selling novelist Sophie King. Sophie has also written books on how to write novels and short stories and this will be her theme for the evening. Books will be available to purchase on the evening and will be signed by the author. Your £2 ticket maybe redeemed against the purchase of a book on the night.

Why keep veg and flowers separate? Find out how Gardeners World presenter Alys Fowler has broken with convention to create a garden that tastes as good as it looks. Plus raffle, bar and book signing.

A talk by William Shawcross, author of ‘Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’ with short readings from her (quite wonderful) letters. (Paperback copy will be available early July 2010).

The Anthony Slinn Art Lecture. In his 16th consecutive year for Hitchin Festival Anthony talks about the Russian artist Marc Chagall explaining why heads are upside down, cows think and play violins, giant tramps walk by, fish fly and angels swoop past and heads are hidden in the clouds. But we do come down to earth to a small church in Kent where Chagall did the stained glass. A must see talk.

An illustrated talk on women’s fashion and foundation garments from the 19th to early 20th century with items from the Museums extensive costume collection.

A talk by Stephen Copson who is Secretary of the Baptist Historical Society. Includes refreshments.

A local centre and its villages. Speaker: Keith Fitzpatrick Matthews

A talk by Museum Curator David Hodges.

In aid of the Queen Mother Youth Wing Appeal Britain’s best known and most respected film critic recalls his long career with a rich and varied selection of anecdotes about his encounters with some of the great stars of stage and screen. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the last talk of the Festival in the company of one of our most knowledgable and witty raconteurs.