Nantwich Sports Book Festival 2016 to celebrate sports stars

From Wednesday, May 4 and Saturday, May 7, a number of venues around the town will invite prominent sports personalities and authors to discuss their latest book releases.

The Festival kicks off at Nantwich Bookshop on May 4, from 7pm, with Sherlock Holmes and The Birth of The Ashes by Arunabha Sengupta.

A. N. Hornby, who was captain of England during the Test match featured this book, is buried in Acton Church, Nantwich.

"Be taken on a journey of knuckle-cracking, nail-biting cricket action along with suspense, tension, villainy and death, and the birth of the Ashes," a Nantwich Town Council spokesman said.

David Millar will offer a unique insight into the mind of a professional cyclist on Thursday, May 5, at Crewe Vagrants Sports Club.

"Hear his tales and meet the man himself for just £10 a ticket including musette with copy of the book and goodies," the spokesman said.

On Friday, May 6, from 7pm, residents can meet Tom Smith and some of the Lancashire Team at The Studio, Nantwich.

"The contrast between Tom Smith’s 2014 and 2015 seasons could not have been starker. From highs in 2014, to when it all went horribly wrong," the town council spokesman said.

Duncan Hamilton, author of For the Glory – The Story of Eric Liddell, will make sure the festival ends on a high note when he appears at Nantwich Methodist on Saturday, May 7.

"This is the story of a true hero of our times," the spokesman said.

"For the Glory takes the reader from Liddell the fastest man on the planet, through Liddell the man with a higher purpose, to Liddell when he had to be stronger than all around him."

Steve Lawson from Nantwich Bookshop said: “We are delighted to have secured a wonderful mix of writers and subjects for our inaugural festival and look forward to building upon this for next year’s event.”

Tickets are available from Nantwich Civic Hall and Nantwich Bookshop directly.

Alternatively call 01270 628633 or visit www.nantwichtowncouncil.gov.uk