Chiswick Book Festival venue the William Barry Theatre, University of West London, St Mary's Road, Ealing London W5 5RF

Ealing events at 2021 Chiswick Festival

The Chiswick Book Festival comes to the University of West London (UWL) this month when it hosts two sessions with top Ealing authors at its main campus in St Mary’s Road. 

On Tuesday, September 14th, Rory Cellan-Jones, the BBC technology correspondent and Ealing resident recounts the liberation, disruption and oppression of the smartphone era in his new book Always On – Hope and Fear in the Social Smartphone Era. 

On Wednesday, September 15th, local novelists Nicola Rayner, Robin Duval and Saz Vora will talk about their new books as this year’s Ealing Fiction Panel, chaired by playwright Lisa Evans. Tickets are on sale via the Festival website.

Festival director Torin Douglas said: “The University of West London has sponsored the Chiswick Book Festival for several years and we are delighted they are now hosting two of our events in their William Barry Theatre. The Festival sprang out of the Ealing Literary Festival and we have previously held events at Gunnersbury, so it’s great to cement our place in the heart of Ealing.”

Professor Anthony Woodman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at UWL, said: “We are delighted to once again celebrate our part in the Chiswick Book Festival and welcome all the talent in west London and here at the university. 

“We are committed to providing our students with the very best opportunities, ensuring they are connected to the people and industries they need to thrive, and every year this festival proves an excellent way to open up our spaces and facilities to benefit the whole community.” 

Rory Cellan-Jones has lived in Ealing for many years. He will be interviewed by technology journalist Kate Bevan. His book has been described by Stephen Fry as “Delightfully insightful and intensely readable […] There is an energy and drama to Rory’s writing which nonetheless leaves space for us, the reader, to make up our minds.”

After last year’s sparkling Zoom evening with four Ealing writers, this year’s authors will speak about their new books in person: Nicola Rayner (You and Me), Robin Duval (Going to America) and Saz Vora (Made in Heaven). Chaired again by award-winning playwright Lisa Evans. Read more about their books here at ‘The Ealing Sessions at UWL’. https://www.chiswickbookfestival.net/speakers-2021/monday-september-13th-tuesday-14th-wednesday-15th-2021/ealing-events-2021/

The University is also sponsoring one of the Festival sessions taking place at St Michael & Angels Church in Chiswick. At 11.30am on Saturday, September 11th, actress Suzanne Packer will talk about the collection of essays she has edited on the experiences of 100 Black British people, Still Breathing: 100 Black Voices on Racism, with three of the contributors: London-based artist Sharon Walters, playwright Bonnie Greer and journalist and creative leader Pat Younge, a governor of UWL.

UWL has one of the country’s most diverse student populations. It has teamed up with its Students’ Union, and West London NHS Trust to offer tailored mental health and wellbeing workshops for Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) students over the next two years.  

Other speakers at this year’s Festival include Gyles Brandreth and Ed Balls, talking about their memoirs; Clare Balding on her first non-fiction book for children; Alan Johnson on his first novel; and, from New York, Emily Mortimer, who wrote the BBC’s adaptation of The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford, who lived in Chiswick. The Festival is a non-profit-making community event with proceeds going to three charities and St Michael & All Angels Church, which runs the event.

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