Northamptonshire author to hold first talk at Althorp Literary Festival

Tim Butcher, who grew up in Hellidon, near Daventry, will be giving a talk from 10am about his new book that tells the story of Gavrilo Princip, the man whose actions started the First World War.

Mr Butcher said he had spent two months walking across Bosnia and Serbia to research a story he said had “never been told before”.

He said: “I am delighted to be going to the Althorp Literary Festival this year and I think it is quite fitting that I am the opening gig and will be talking about my new book The Trigger, which tells the story of the assassin who brought the world to war.

Mr Butcher, who worked as a war correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, said his interest in the First World War was triggered by looking at a stained glass window of four soldiers at the St John the Baptist church in Hellidon.

The 46-year-old said he thought Althorp was a “perfectly formed” event that he always enjoyed.

He said: “Hopefully we will have good Summer weather and the house has the most amazing lawns. It is always well organised.

“It is good to engage with people about the book. It is quite a proving moment when you put your work into the wider public domain.”

The Althorp Literary Festival runs from today until Saturday. Authors appearing this year include Jeremy Paxman, Boris Johnson and Julian Clary.

On Friday night Radio Four’s Any Questions? will be recorded at Althorp House.

To buy tickets for the festival go to www.spencerofalthorp.com.