Lewes Speakers Festival
Where bold ideas soar
Click HERE to join our free mailing list and never miss the latest news
Sunday the 10th of May 2026
The Malling Community Centre, Spences Lane, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2HQ
“You can find magic wherever you look.Sit back and relax, all you need is a book!”
Dr. Seuss
Sunday 10th May 2026
 |
|---|
 |
 |
 |
Helen Peters
A Chick Called Charm (Recommended age - 5 and above)
Sunday 10th May 11.15 – 12.00
Meet Charm, a little chick with a very big personality, in this delightful event celebrating the children’s book A Chick Called Charm. Perfect for younger readers and families, this lively session brings Charm’s adventures to life through engaging storytelling, lively readings and interactive moments that invite children to join in the fun and imagination of the story.
Full of warmth, humour and gentle lessons about friendship, courage and finding your place in the world, A Chick Called Charm is a joyful story that captures young imaginations while offering plenty for parents to enjoy too. Expect laughter, audience participation and the chance for children to ask questions about how stories are created.
A wonderful introduction to the magic of books and storytelling, this event is ideal for children taking their first steps into reading and for families looking to share a memorable festival experience together.
Growing up on a traditional farm in East Sussex, Helen spent much of childhood surrounded by animals, countryside adventures and a lively family life that continues to inspire much of the storytelling today.
Farm life and village characters later found their way into her books. Although the Helen loved the farm, a passion for reading, writing and putting on plays led to university and eventually a career teaching English and Drama in London, while travelling widely during school holidays.
Later returning to East Sussex to raise a family near the sea and the South Downs, Helen now lives in North London but still visits the family farm regularly, where many new story ideas continue to take shape.
Recommended age: children of 5 and above. The core age range is around 7-10 for independent reading
Jack Noel
Dadbot 2: Rise of the Badbots! (Recommended for ages 7–10 years)
Sunday 10th May 12.20 - 13.05
Dadbot is back — and things are about to get seriously glitchy!
Join author and illustrator Jack Noel for a hilarious, high-energy event celebrating Dadbot 2: Rise of the Badbots!, the brand-new graphic novel packed with robots, puns and chaotic family adventures.
When Josh and Daisy head back to school after the summer holidays, Dadbot is left home alone — until a mysterious AI home assistant called HONEY appears on the doorstep. Dadbot is thrilled to have a robot friend, but Josh and Daisy aren’t convinced. HONEY seems to be watching them, her voice keeps changing, and when a huge power cut hits the town, things go from strange to seriously dangerous…
Can Josh and Daisy save Dadbot — and the whole town — before it’s too late?
This lively session includes storytelling, drawing insights, audience interaction and plenty of laughs, perfect for fans of Dog Man and Bunny vs Monkey, and for any young reader who loves comics, chaos and comedy.
Jack Noel is an author and illustrator whose funny, action-packed graphic novels are loved by young readers across the UK. Known for his energetic storytelling and bold, colourful illustrations, Jack regularly visits schools and festivals to inspire children to read, draw and create their own stories.
The Dadbot series has quickly become a favourite for readers who enjoy fast-paced adventures and laugh-out-loud humour.
• 20–25 min reading & storytelling
• 10 min interactive chat or drawing element
• 5–10 min audience questions
The session includes a book signing and Q & A.
Click Here to purchase tickets
​
Holly Bourne
The Yearbook (Recommended age: 13+ (particularly suited to 14–18) also suitable for adults!
Sunday 10th May 13.30 - 14.30
Can reading a book change your life? How about the entire world?
Join Times bestselling author, Holly Bourne, for a talk about the power of narrative for positive personal and political change.
Based around the themes of her YA novel, The Yearbook, Bourne explores how we are wired to use stories to understand ourselves, and the world around us.
There is no more potent a phrase than ‘Once upon a time’. But who are the most powerful storytellers in our lives? What about fake news? And how do we reject false narratives and become the main characters of our own lives?
Expect moving moments, lively audience participation and the chance to ask bold questions about writing, activism and growing up in today’s world.
Holly Bourne is one of the UK’s most celebrated YA authors, known for tackling complex issues affecting young people with honesty, empathy and wit. Her award-winning novels explore mental health, feminism, relationships and identity, earning critical acclaim and a devoted readership.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Holly worked at a youth charity as an editor and relationship experts, and her experiences there continue to shape her writing. She truly believes reading and writing are the most powerful tools of activism, and is passionate about giving teenagers stories that reflect their realities while offering hope and empowerment. She is now an ambassador for Women’s Aid.
Recommended age: 13+ (particularly suited to 14–18) Also suitable for adults
The session includes a book signing and Q&A
Click Here to purchase tickets
Alan Durant
Clownfish (Recommended age:9+)
Sunday 10th May 14.50 – 15.30
Join award-winning children’s author Alan Durant for a moving and imaginative session exploring his acclaimed novel Clownfish. This remarkable story begins with a startling premise: seven days after Dak’s father dies, he suddenly returns - transformed into a clownfish living in a tank at the local aquarium.
Through readings, storytelling and discussion, Alan will introduce audiences to Dak, his unusual reunion with his father, and the unlikely friendship he forms with Violet as they try to save the aquarium that has become so important to them. Blending humour, tenderness and a touch of the surreal, Clownfish explores grief, love and resilience in a way that is both uplifting and deeply memorable.
Children will have the chance to hear how Alan develops his imaginative ideas, ask questions about storytelling and discover how books can help us think about big emotions and life’s challenges.
Clownfish has been praised as “a gem” (Telegraph) and “sweet, funny and heart-warming” (Glasgow Herald).
A thoughtful and engaging event for young readers who enjoy unusual stories, humour and heartfelt adventures.
Alan Durant is an award-winning British children’s author who has written more than sixty books for young readers, ranging from picture books to novels for older children.
His work often combines humour, imagination and emotional depth, exploring themes such as friendship, family and resilience. His books have been widely praised by critics and educators and are read in schools across the UK and internationally.
Clownfish, one of his most celebrated novels, has been recognised for its sensitive and original portrayal of grief and was selected for the Reading Well Books on Prescription programme supported by NHS England and the Royal College of GPs. Alan frequently visits schools and festivals where he inspires young audiences with insights into the creative process and the power of storytelling.
A Q&A Session will follow.
Aoife Dooley
Join the “Squid Squad”! (Recommended age: children of 5 and above)
Sunday 10th May 15.45 – 16.25
Dive into a wild undersea comics adventure and join award-winning illustrator, author and comedian Aoife Dooley for an interactive workshop inspired by her zany, action-packed graphic novel series Squid Squad. Meet Ollie the vampire squid and Zing the toxin-squirting sea bunny—two mischievous best friends who just can’t help causing chaos in the deep blue sea.
Packed with bold, colourful artwork and fast, episodic storytelling, Aoife’s books are perfect for getting children excited about reading—and creating. In this lively, hands-on session, Aoife will guide young artists through fun drawing exercises, character-creation challenges and imaginative world-building, encouraging them to bring their own ideas to life.
Full of humour, creativity and energy, this session celebrates individuality and self-expression. Aoife brings her own neurodivergent perspective to her work, championing difference and showcasing quirky characters inspired by real-life unusual creatures. Expect laughter, audience participation and plenty of squid-inspired chaos.
A fantastic introduction to comics, storytelling and drawing, this event is ideal for young readers, budding artists and families looking to share a fun and memorable festival experience.
Aoife Dooley is an award-winning illustrator, author and comedian based in Dublin. She is the creator of the bestselling Frankie’s World series, which draws on her own experiences growing up neurodivergent and has been widely praised for its warmth, humour and honesty. Alongside her work as a children’s author, Aoife has built a strong following as a cartoonist and performer, known for her distinctive visual style and engaging, relatable storytelling. Her Squid Squad series brings her love of comics, comedy and quirky characters together in stories that delight and inspire young readers.
Recommended age: children of 5 and above. The core age range is around 7–10 for independent reading.
The session includes a book signing and Q&A
Click Here to purchase tickets
TICKETS
Tickets & Special Discounts
All children must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult
ADULT - 1-Day Festival Pass: £22 - For Sunday the 10th May 2026 for the children’s festival
KIDS - 1-Day Festival Pass: £20 - For Sunday the 10th May 2026 for the children’s festival
Buying your Tickets:
To purchase individual tickets from the secure site please scroll down this page
and click on the speaker(s) you wish to see.
To book by telephone please call the Box Office on: 0333 666 3366.
(This new box office number qualifies as inclusive call minute packages for mobiles and landlines)
Tickets are strictly limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
Please note:
A booking fee will be added by the ticket company ‘TicketSource’ when you buy online or via the ticket telephone line.
50% of these fees have been paid by The Lewes Speakers Festival and so the fee will amount to no more than a maximum of 5% of the price of the ticket(s). This percentage decreases if you spend more than £25.
To keep the fee to a minimum please book online and print your tickets out at home. This is free of charge.
Alternatively, TicketSource add £1.50 to the booking fee for tickets to be sent to you by post.
Any queries, please email: marcrattrayuk@yahoo.co.uk
Helen Peters A Chick Called Charm (Recommended age: children of 5 and above)
Sunday 10th May 12.20 - 13.05
Jack Noel Dadbot 2: Rise of the Badbots! (Recommended for ages 7–10 years)
Sunday 10th May 13.30 - 14.30
​
Alan Durant Clownfish (Recommended age:9+)
​
​
Aoife Dooley Join the “Squid Squad”! (Recommended age: children of 5+)