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Titchmarsh and Trollope among the writers talking at the Watermill

COMING soon, The Watermill has a series of daytime book events with three top-notch writers; Alan Titchmarsh, Joanna Trollope and the Duchess of Devonshire.

The theatre is attracting increasingly well-known writers and personalities to give talks and interviews on stage. Following many successful sell-out events, including Joanna Lumley, Jo Brand, Gervase Phinn, Roy Hudd and Sarah Raven, this year is set to offer starts in high style with authors of renown.

First up is gardener, writer and talk show/show host Alan Titchmarsh on Friday, March 4, at 2pm. Titchmarsh has presented programmes such as Gardeners' World, Ground Force and How to be a Gardener, BBC Radio 2's Melodies for You, and his own daytime ITV show.

He has written three volumes of memoirs, more than 40 gardening books, seven novels and contributes regularly to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, The Daily Express and Sunday Express.

The following week sees highly-acclaimed and bestselling author Joanna Trollope talking about her latest novel Daughters in Law on Tuesday, March 8, at 1.30pm. Her enormously successful contemporary tales, several of which have been televised, include The Choir, A Village Affair, A Passionate Man and The Rector's Wife, which was her first number one bestseller, and made her into a household name. Since then she has published eleven other novels including most recently The Other Family.

Deborah Cavendish, The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire is the special guest on Friday, April 8 at 2pm. Interviewed by her niece Charlotte Mosley, she will talk about her fascinating life as a young socialite, her experiences as the youngest of the six Mitford sisters and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, her home for more than 60 years. The duchess has written several books about the estate and played a key role in the restoration of the house and the enhancement of the garden.

Tickets for Alan Titchmarsh and Duchess of Devonshire are £45 which includes a glass of champagne and cake following the event and an opportunity to meet the authors. These appearances are fundraising events and proceeds go to The Watermill Production Fund which supports the theatre's work on stage.

Tickets for Joanna Trollope at The Watermill Book Club are £6. She will be signing books following the event.The restaurant will be open for lunch – booking is essential.

For tickets, telephone the box office on (01635) 46044 or visit www.watermill.org.uk