Guildford Book Festival

Who we are

Since 1989, the annual Guildford Book Festival has delivered a variety of literary events every Spring and Autumn.  Coming up in April is a Literary Lunch with Dan Cruickshank in Guildford and a Readers Day with 6 popular Authors at  West Horsley Place.  The full Festival takes place in October 4 - 18

Open Books and Inspire Minds                                                                                                                                              We are proud of our outreach programme and last year visited 17 local Schools and 5000 students, with Authors and Illustrators, giving out books and promoting competitions 

As the Board we act in the Charity's best interests, and manage resources with the aim of ensuring a vibrant and sustainable Festival

Our culture and values

We believe that a love of reading in early life is absolultely vital to future wellbeing.  Research from The National Literacy Trust supports this and we our proud of our Schools programme. 

The Board of Trustees meets monthly and works with the Festival Director and our Sponsors.  We have a Chair, Treasurer, Hon Sec and Volunteer  Coordinator with 4 other Trustees.  In practice we take on individual and joint responsibilities to deliver projects for the good of the Festival.  Trustees attend some but not all Festival events

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We seek to reach out and further widen our audience demographic.  The  Trustees, work with our  Festival Director and Sponsors to deliver a diverse Festival Programme,including authors from various backgrounds and topics of National interest.  We use a a range of large and small venues from Schools to Churches, Arts Centres to the Guildhall. Events may also be outside/river walks.   We promote the Festival in a variety of ways, including brochures and Farmers Markets

We have a Code of  Conduct  which describes our commitment to act ethically with integrity, putting fair treatment at the heart of everything we do.  

The Board of Trustees, about half of whom are retired, come from a variety of business backgrounds.  We offer support to any new joiners

Our 47 volunteers, enable us to deliver the Festival.  Joining is open to all to become involved.  Applications open again in June on our website.  There is no discrimination just name and mobile number on a simple form.  Any opportunities to join as a Trustee, or take on project work is shared with all Volunteers.  Our current Honorary Secretary joined the Board from our Volunteers