We are delighted to welcome best-selling author JOANNE HARRIS OBE to open our 2025 festival. Joanne has sold over a million copies of her work which includes twenty novels, three cookbooks and many short stories. Today Joanne will be introducing her much anticipated new novel, Vianne. It's the long-awaited story of Vianne Rocher and begins six years before she opens her scandalous chocolaterie in the French village of Lansquenet. Come join us and be swept back into the magical, immersive world of Chocolat- and for the first time, discover the truth about Vianne Rocher's mysterious past. A must-see event for all lovers of exquisite storytelling. In conversation with Gerry Foley