Autumn/Winter Programme at Charleston, Firle

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Charleston in Firle is thrilled to unveil its exciting Autumn/Winter programme for 2024. There will be talks from acclaimed authors, including Matt Haig and Jeanette Winterson, as well as the annual winter edition of the Designer and Maker Fair.

Audiences will be able to enjoy discussions with literary icons including Matt Haig, who will discuss his eagerly awaited new novel 'The Life Impossible' at Charleston – a story of wild adventure and the transformative power of new experiences. Jeanette Winterson will take the audience on a winter’s night journey with ghost stories of the past and present, and she will explore the unconventional queer relationship of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, with granddaughter of the couple, Juliet Nicolson.

From Sappho and Suffragettes to t-shirts and TikTok, audience members will be able to go on a journey through the history and politics of lesbian clothing with historian Eleanor Medhurst and winner of the Polari Prize for LGBTQ+ literature Joelle Taylor.

In two exciting events that feature live music, Charleston brings an evening of music and words that conjure up the passion and physicality of dance with celebrated pianist Melvyn Tan and legendary actor Simon Callow. Visitors will also be able to delve into the lyrical world of poet Dylan Thomas with award-winning songwriter and broadcaster Cerys Matthews featuring discussion, readings and live music from multi-instrumentalist Arun Ghosh.

Talks and performances will take place in the atmospheric Hay Barn at Charleston, the former modernist home and studio of Bloomsbury artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.  True to its long history as a creative haven for the Bloomsbury group, Charleston continues to be a hub of artistic expression and literary dialogue.

Charleston’s winter Designer and Maker Fair will once again see local artisans and makers setting up stalls in the Hay Barn.  Visitors can expect handcrafted goods from independent artists, ceramicists, designers and makers, who will also be on hand to discuss their work, influences and ideas. There will be Christmas trees on sale in The Yard and the opportunity to take part in wreath making workshops with Sarah Whiting of Nettlewood Flowers.