ORGANISERS behind the Winchester Festival of the Arts have released the programme of ‘must-do’ events.

The varied festival, from July 3-11, includes everything from chamber music to encouraging children to get excited about literature.

Festival director Carol Butler said: “Winchester is home to numerous cultural events, many of which focus on a particular theme or anniversary.

“The Winchester Festival’s strength lies in tapping into the demand for a broad spectrum of eminent speakers and classical musicians, with a few surprises along the way.”

Former director general of the BBC and now chairman of the Football Association, Greg Dyke, appears at 8.30pm on July 8 at Winchester Guildhall. He is joined by John Lloyd, creator of popular TV programmes Blackadder, Spitting Image and QI.

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Concerto soloist and dedicated chamber musician Natalie Clein brings a conversation of music and words to the intimate space of St Cross Church on July 10 at 8pm.

Her performance will feature solo cello suites by Bach and Britten, and readings from Plato to John Cage by her own sister, actor Louisa Clein.

Another one to watch is Divertimenti which will perform Brahms and Schönberg in the cathedral at 8pm on July 11.

Never far from the television screen at the moment, including the recent and highly-engaging series Armada: 12 Days To Save England, Dan Snow brings his engaging presence to the Guildhall on July 6 at 7pm.

From Henry V’s stunning victory at Agincourt in 1415, to Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815, the Allied failure at Gallipoli in 1915 and the highs and lows of the Battle of Britain and Dunkirk in 1940, he will consider how military planning, warfare, aims and outcomes have changed over the centuries.

Early in the festival, on July 4, poet laureate, Dame Carol Ann Duffy, will be at the Theatre Royal at 7.30pm reading from her best-loved poetry accompanied by musician, composer and actor, John Sampson.

She is the first female poet laureate and first Scot to hold the post.

The festival is peppered with lunchtime concerts and performances from local groups like Southern Voices on July 3 and Ashton Singers on July 11.

There is also a diverse range of talks in literature, art, history, media, and science from well-known names such as author Patrick Gayle (July 5) scientist Prof Robert Winston (July 7) and Will Self (July 8).

Schools will also get involved with the ever-popular schools exhibition, showcasing the finest GCSE art work in the Presbytery Aisle at Winchester Cathedral.

It is presented by the Winchester Consortium of Secondary Schools and includes work from pupils at Henry Beaufort, Kings’, Perins, Westgate and Osborne schools.

Primary school children are involved with Literature Comes Alive in Schools with Helena Fox. She has devised a workshop for Year 5 and 6 pupils, named The Story Thief.

In a performance that interweaves Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales, the pupils will help to rescue their favourite fairytales from the clutches of the Story Thief and restore them back to books everywhere.

The festival runs from July 3-11. For the full programme visit winchesterfestival.co.uk.