12-21 September 2025
Celebrating Literature & The Arts by the Sea
Who We Are
Our Trustees, Festival Committee, and dedicated Volunteers work throughout the year to plan, organise and then deliver our fabulous festival. We are particularly grateful to our dedicated Patrons who give up their valuable time to advise and support us and, in doing so, help to ensure the Appledore Book Festival continues to grow and deliver a diverse and inspirational festival.
Our Patrons
Nick Arnold
Nick is one of the world’s most successful science writers for young readers. He has written more than 50 books and sold more than 20 million books in 40 languages.
Tanya Landman
Carnegie Medal winning Tanya Landman is the author of more than forty books for children and young adults.
Jeremy Vine
Jeremy is an award winning broadcaster.
Ann Cleeves
Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger.
Judi Spiers
Judi is a well-known broadcaster and presenter.
Richard Wolfenden-Brown
Richard is Director of The Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington.
Andy Cooper
Andy is a journalist and editor with over 30 years' experience in national, regional and local media.
Sarah Stein
Sarah has been working in the literary world all of her adult life and is now a restaurant, production company and bookshop owner.
Trustees
Sara Mendosa (Chair) | Jan Thompson (Company Secretary) | Richard Cable | Susan Sandon | Pat Hadley-Smith
Stephen Taylor (Treasurer) | Mark Britton | Sean Kearney | David Stevenson (Technology)
Committee
Jane Beaton (Festival Director)
David Carter (Historical Advisor) | Moirag Clarke (Hospitality)
Pat Hadley-Smith | Sara Mendosa | Dianne Miller (Finance)
Patricia Morris (Health & Safety) | Caroline Price (Logistics) | Penny Reardon-Morgan (Friends’ Coordinator)
Joy Smart (Community Liaison) | Judi Unwin (Volunteers Coordinator)
Grayson Fuller (Festival Administrator) | SLK Marketing (Marketing)
Schools Team: Sib Avery - Pat Glover - Pat Hadley-Smith - Marilyn Young - Judi Unwin