CLARE BALDING AND KATE MOSSE JOIN FORCES FOR SPECIAL CHILDRENS BOOKFEST FUNDRAISING EVENING IN CHICHESTER
Two of Britain's best-known literary figures will come together in Chichester this September for a special fundraising evening in support of local children's literacy charity Childrens BookFest.
Broadcaster and award-winning author Clare Balding will be joined in conversation by international bestselling novelist and Chichester resident Kate Mosse at the Assembly Rooms on Monday 28 September, with all proceeds from the event supporting the charity's work bringing authors and books directly to children across the local area.
Taking place during the National Year of Reading 2026, the evening will celebrate storytelling and a lifelong love of reading, while marking the paperback publication of Clares debut adult novel, Pastures New.
Audiences will have the opportunity to hear Clare talk about her extraordinary life and career, her love of the countryside and animals, and the inspiration behind her move into fiction.
Known to millions for her warmth, wit and humour, Clare has built a remarkable career spanning sports broadcasting, journalism, radio and television. From the courts of Wimbledon to Buckingham Palace and The Traitors castle, she has become one of Britain's best-loved broadcasters. She is also the long-standing presenter of BBC Radio 4's Ramblings, which takes her across the British Isles exploring landscapes, people and stories.
In Pastures New, Clare brings her characteristic humour and affection for the countryside to the story of Alex, who has spent almost 40 years perfecting the art of avoiding responsibility. An unexpected letter turns her life upside down when she discovers she is the new owner of a crumbling sheep farm in wildest, wettest Wales.
Faced with a stubborn Welsh terrier, a village full of gossip and a farm on the brink of collapse, Alex sets out to uncover the truth behind her mysterious inheritance and finds herself embarking on an unexpected new chapter.
Leading the conversation will be Kate Mosse CBE, the internationally bestselling author of eleven novels and short-story collections, including the multimillion-selling Languedoc Trilogy. A prominent champion of literature and reading, Kate is also the Founder Director of the Womens Prize for Fiction and Womens Prize for Non-Fiction and has longstanding connections with Chichester and West Sussex. In Sept she will publish her new book, Autumn: The Story of a Season. This is an atmospheric memoir that also explores nature, folklore, and history - and a love letter to Sussex life!
The Chichester fundraiser follows another major celebration of books for both authors in September, with Clare and Kate also taking part in The Queen's Reading Room Festival at Chatsworth, which brings together acclaimed authors, thinkers and literature lovers for a weekend dedicated to the written word.
The evening at Chichester's Assembly Rooms on North Street will raise vital funds for Childrens BookFest, which runs author events for pupils in schools across Chichester, Bognor and Midhurst. The charity buys the books given out at its events, ensuring that every child leaves with their own copy of the featured authors book, individually signed and given to them by the author creating a lasting connection between the child, the story and the experience of meeting the person who wrote it.
Georgina Lippiett, Festival Director of Childrens BookFest, said:
Were absolutely delighted to welcome Clare Balding and Kate Mosse for what promises to be a very special evening. To have two such warm, engaging and accomplished storytellers together in Chichester during the National Year of Reading feels particularly fitting.
Most importantly, this is a fundraising evening for Childrens BookFest. Every ticket sold will help us continue creating special encounters between children, authors and books, and enable us to reach even more young readers. We hope people will join us for a brilliant evening and, at the same time, help us put more books directly into the hands of children.
Clare Balding in conversation with Kate Mosse takes place at 7.30pm on Monday 28 September 2026 at the Assembly Rooms, Chichester.
Tickets cost £25 per person, with all proceeds going to Childrens BookFest. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Pastures New.
To book tickets visit - https://www.ticketsource.com/childrens-book-fest-chichester/cbf-fundraiser-clare-balding-in-conversation-with-kate-mosse/e-vgaqvz