The first big names of the 2008 Chester Literature Festival descend on the city next week. Cheshire novelist Kate Long, whose Bad Mother’s Handbook was turned into a TV film starring Catherine Tate, will host a celebration of the book Cold Comfort Farm at Upton Village Hall on Sunday. Then on Wednesday, former Conservative government minister and the last governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten – now Lord Patten – presents a lecture based on his new book What Next? Surviving the Twenty-first Century at the University of Chester. And there is a fabulous line-up on Thursday for the traditional Literary Lunch at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel & Spa which includes Esther Rantzen, Carol Drinkwater and Marina Fiorato. The full list of events for the coming week is as follows: Sunday, October 5 - 7pm, Upton Village Hall: Big Read Film Evening featuring Kate Long leading a discussion of Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons and a screening of the 95-minute film of the book. Tickets £5. Monday, October 6 - 7.45pm, Beswick Lecture Theatre, University of Chester: Successful writers on successful writing. Three award-winning writers, at very different stages of their careers, reflect on the craft of literary creation. Featuring Alan Wall, Gee Williams and David Whitley. Tickets £5. Tuesday, October 7: Russell Bowes and the Chester St Cecilia Singers in the Long Room at Eaton Hall. This is a special event for Friends of the Chester Literature Festival. To join the Friends, e-mail friends@chesterlitfest.org Wednesday, October 8 - 1.15 pm, St Peter’s by the Cross: Bitesize Lunchtime Poems. Wednesday, October 8 - 7.45 pm, Molloy Lecture Theatre, University of Chester: Chris Patten: What Next? Surviving the Twenty-first Century Lord Patten’s major new book is a penetrating analysis of our global future. Supported by the Department of History & Archaeology, University of Chester and the Society of 13. Tickets £7.50. Thursday, October 9 - noon for 12.30pm, Chester Grosvenor Hotel & Spa: Chester Grosvenor Literary Lunch featuring Esther Rantzen, Carol Drinkwater and Marina Fiorato. Tickets £46.50. Thursday, October 9 - 7.30 pm, Molloy Lecture Theatre, University of Chester: Michael Morpurgo. Tickets £7.50, children free (maximum two per adult) Friday, October 10 - 7.45pm, Beswick Lecture Theatre, University of Chester: The Star Gazer’s Guide: How To Read Our Night Sky featuring Emily Winterburn. Tickets £6.50. How to book: In person - Chester Festivals Box Office, The Racecourse, Watergate Square, Chester Monday-Friday 8.30am–5.30pm; Chester Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall Square, Monday–Saturday 9am–4pm. By telephone - 01244 304 618. Online - visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk or www.chester-races.co.uk. By post - make cheques payable to Chester Race Company Limited and send to the box office at The Racecourse, Watergate Square, Chester CH1 2LY. Please include your address and daytime telephone number. | 
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