Fun at Literary Festival

Hi readers, it’s Emily and Kerry here, with me, Kerry, writing this week.

Last week, I went to Dorchester Literary Festival, which brings a brilliant mix of writers and thinkers to town. As always, there was something for everyone, with talks from artificial intelligence, history, the Romans, war and politics to fashion, the environment and health. The line-up included some well-known names, among them Sir Jeremy Hunt, Sir Anthony Seldon, Julian Fellowes and Alison Steadman.

I managed to get along to one event, Johnny Ball, and hoped to see another too but weather had other ideas, so we didn’t quite make it.

I hadn’t realised Johnny was 88. He spoke for a full hour, holding the audience with stories about his route into entertainment and his lifelong love of comedy and maths. It was interesting to learn that he started out as a drummer and in his early twenties spent time with musicians like the Beatles and Dusty Springfield. Whilst he worked in music for a little time, he really wanted to be a comedian, and so followed this route until he became a familiar face on Play School, where he stayed for 17 years.

It was fascinating to hear how all those experiences came together. Johnny’s energy, warmth and sense of humour made the hour fly by, and he showed that maths can be every bit as entertaining as a good story.

The festival also gave me a chance to see our PFD manager, Laura, doing something she enjoys beyond her work with us: presenting and interviewing at the festival. I want to interview her about that experience so look out for that!

A big thank you to everyone who helped organise such a varied and welcoming week. I’m already looking forward to seeing what the festival brings to Dorchester next year.

The Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff