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It’s almost time to lace-up for the popular Walking and Book Festival which runs from 16 to 25 September.

Now in its 17^th year, the Festival offers a winning combination of guided walks in the town itself and further afield, interspersed with an exciting selection of author talks and book events.

The walks programme offers a selection of routes each day of varying length and ability. There are old favourites, such as the Feldom Wander plus the usual series of six challenge walks, this year in Swaledale following the ridges forming the watershed of the Swale. New routes include two linear walks down Swaledale, the ‘Corpse Way’ from Keld to Grinton, followed the next day by a walk from Grinton back to Richmond. Other new events include a walk in nearby Aske Park including parts not usually open to the public.

There is also plenty of time to sit back and relax during the Festival with a huge range of literary events. TV presenter Nicholas Crane will recount the adventures behind the discovery of the shape and magnitude of the Earth; Christy Lefteri, the author of the best-selling book The Beekeeper of Aleppo will be in conversation with Dr Ryad Alsous the beekeeper who inspired the book; and Oliver Condy, author of Symphonies for the Soul will discuss pieces of music to suit all moods with broadcaster and writer James Naughtie.

The full programme of events can be found online at www.booksandboots.org. Printed booklets with event listings are available around the town