Our latest Zoom interviewee was Dame Stella Remington in March 2021, who talked us through becoming head of MI5, as the first publicly named Director General of the Security Service, and the first woman to do so. She talked brilliantly and modestly about her 29 years working for the Security Service, and how she managed as a single mother of two daughters doing such a high profile job. We had the highest watching figures so far for Dame Stella, and some lovely feedback.  We hope we are educating and entertaining you during Lockdown. Do email us: booksatthebarn@gmail.com if you would like to be added to our mailing list.

WILD SWANS author Jung Chang fascinated us in February 2021, talking about her new book BIG SISTER, LITTLE SISTER, RED SISTER about the Soong sisters who had a huge influence on Chinese politics during the twentieth century.  During Autumn 2020 we enjoyed Talks by Womens Hour presenter Jenni Murray, historian Claire Tomalin on her biography of Jane Austen, and Tracy Chevalier on her novel SINGLE THREAD, set in Winchester Cathedral.

Royal Historic Palaces curator Lucy Worsley enthralled audiences in June 2019 with her talk on Queen Victoria, and her book about her as a daughter, wife, mother and widow.

Much loved author of the LADIES NO I DETECTIVE AGENCY had us all in stitches with tales of his writing adventures. This event was in aid of Book Aid International, a charity that supplies books to refugee camps, schools and libraries all over the English speaking world.

Queen of Sports broadcasting Clare Balding visited  Farleigh school recently on a book tour for her latest childrens book, THE HORSE WHO REFUSED TO DANCE.  She captivated us all with stories of the Olympics, growing up with the Queen as a regular visitor at her home, and how she coped with no voice on Ramblings, her BBC Radio 4 series on walking.