“Destination Inspiration”, the 12th Dorset Teaching Reading conference, will be held at Bovington Middle School in Wareham on November 9. Speakers include writer, broadcaster and lecturer Julia Eccleshare and authors Allan Ahlberg and Michael Morpurgo. Tel: 01929 405060 www.nate.org.ukevents.html “Anthony Powell and the Oxford of the 1920s” is the theme of the second biennial Anthony Powell conference at Balliol College, Oxford (where Powell was a student), on April 7-8. Speakers include Lord Jenkins of Hillhead and D J Taylor. Contact the conference office of The Anthony Powell Society, 76 Ennismore Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 OJW.

Tel: 020 8864 4095

EVENTS

Michael Morpurgo will talk about the influences behind his award-winning books at the “Book It!” festival for young people - part of the Cheltenham Festival of Literature on October 11-20. Other highlights include Anne Fine, Ralph Steadman, Chris Riddell and Michael Rosen discussing the author-illustrator partnership. “Book It! School Days” (for under-fives) feature appearances from Anthony Horowitz and a Write On! workshop programme.

Brochure hotline: 01242 237377

Ticket hotline: 01242 227979

www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk

PEOPLE

Henrietta Dombey, professor of literacy in primary education at the University of Brighton, is the new president of the United KingdomReading Association.

www.ukra.org