THE EXTRAORDINARY story of a debutante-turned-nun will take centre stage at this year’s Braunston Waterways Literary Festival.
Sister Agatha Leach, 88, will talk about her long life as a Catholic teaching nun, as detailed in her international best-selling autobiography A Nun’s Story.
The book relates her sudden and dramatic choice of a convent life, forsaking her debutante lifestyle and her fiancé.
Sister Agatha will be interviewed by Lord Deben – a Catholic convert who, as John Gummer MP, served as Environment Minister in John Major’s Cabinet from 1993-97 and was instrumental in laying down the foundations for the Canal and River Trust.
Sister Agatha said: “What a pleasure to be talking informally with Lord Deben. I remember him as John Gummer in John Major’s government.
“I think you are very brave to entrust me with a chat show. But I look forward to the adventure in some trepidation.”
Also during the one-day festival, husband-and-wife actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales will talk about their TV series Great Canal Journeys and the accompanying book.
They will also perform a selection of favourite passages from Shakespeare, interspersed with a selection of songs from the Bard’s plays sung by counter tenor William Towers and accompanied by lutenist Toby Carr.
The Braunston Waterways Literary Festival takes place on September 14 at Braunston Marina. Visit www.braunstonmarina.co.uk or call 01788 891373 for more information.
