New events include Michael Morpurgo, drummer Sola Akingbola and former BBC reporter Martin Bell

More events added to programme

Children’s author Michael Morpurgo returns to the festival this spring with another of his hugely popular events. The former children’s laureate talks about his charity Farms for City Children and the stories inspired by the farm, the animals and the children who visit.

Morpurgo is one of many events recently added to the programme. They include the well-known drummer with the English funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai Sola Akingbola; poetry anthologist for young people Allie Esiri, who celebrates her new book Poetry for Every Day of the Year; and former BBC war correspondent and MP Martin Bell on his memoirs.

Porcelain artist, master potter and author Edmund de Waal launches a new annual talk in memory of the Oxford literary agent Felicity Bryan by discussing his friendship with her alongside his new book Letters to Camondo.

Speakers previously announced include actresses Joanna Lumley and Maureen Lipman; scientists Richard Dawkins, Martin Rees, Jim Al-Khalili and Muir Gray; novelists Zadie Smith, Penelope Lively, Freya North, Wendy Holden, and Howard Jacobson; politicians Ed Miliband, David Owen, Peter Hain  and Jess Phillips; and cookery legend Delia Smith.

This year’s children’s event also include Jacqueline Wilson, Katherine Rundell, Lemony Snicket, Ben Garrod, Kate Pankhurst, and a Harry Potter celebration.