A Spring Gathering
The Agatha Christie Festival Spring Gathering will be held on Saturday, 12th April 2025 to celebrate the unveiling of the new Agatha Christie statue in Torquay, commissioned by Torbay Council. The statue of Agatha with her favourite dog Peter has been created by Brixham-based sculptor, Elisabeth Hadley. To coincide with this historic moment that celebrates the Queen of Crime in her home town of Torquay, the Agatha Christie Festival has created an exclusive, exciting and celebratory one-day Spring Gathering.
The Day’s Events
The day begins in the Pengelly room at Torquay Museum with talks by bestselling authors, Robert Thorogood and Victoria Dowd, as well as Dr Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown discussing the ever-popular Swinging Christies podcast. There will also be a fourth event by a guest speaker who will be announced in due course. Throughout the day there will be opportunities for book signings. There will be books available for sale courtesy of The East Gate Bookshop.
Speakers
Victoria Dowd: Agatha and Dartmoor
Victoria Dowd is the author of the bestselling Smart Woman’s mystery series. Her debut novel, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Murder, won The People’s Book Prize for fiction 2021. It was also named In Search of the Classic Mystery’s novel of the year. She was shortlisted for the CWA Dagger and is head of the London CWA. Her latest book in a new series is called Death in the Aviary and is set on Dartmoor. It will be published in September 2025.
Robert Thorogood: How to Kill People for Profit
Robert Thorogood is a Sunday Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He created the popular BBC One murder mystery series Death in Paradise and wrote four DI Richard Poole murder mystery novels. He has also written the bestselling The Marlow Murder Club series of novels, which have been turned into a TV series. The latest book in the series, Murder on the Marlow Belle, will be published in January 2025.
The Swinging Christies: Agatha Christie in the 1960s - The Story So Far
Join Dr Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown for a fresh, entertaining (and exclusive!) rundown of their discoveries and highlights so far on the popular Swinging Christies podcast. Mark is Associate Professor of Screen Histories at Solent University, and an Agatha Christie historian and speaker. His books include Agatha Christie's Marple: Expert on Wickedness, Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Greatest Detective in the World, and Agatha Christie on Screen. Gray is a lifelong Christie fan and a writer. He has been published by Puffin Audio and his plays have been read at the Southwark Playhouse, the Old Red Lion and the Place Bedford.
Following the talks, the new Agatha Christie Statue will be unveiled on the Strand.
The day concludes with a Celebration Ball at the Imperial Hotel, Torquay. In what promises to be a fabulous Gathering finale, all ticketholders are invited to enjoy a complimentary welcome drink, set three-course meal, with vegetarian and vegan options. There will then be an after-dinner speech before you can dance the night away to songs by Ain’t Misbehavin’. What better way to end a day than by celebrating Agatha Christie in true Torbay style!
Ticketholders will also each receive a commemorative newspaper, an exclusive Spring Gathering 2025 pin badge, and a commemorative lanyard, all of which will only be available to guests at this mini festival.
Make a weekend of it!
Festival Friends, the Hampton by Hilton in Torquay and The Imperial Hotel, are kindly giving all Spring Gathering guests discounts on accommodation over the Spring Gathering weekend. The discounts apply for the 11th and 12th April and information on how to claim the discounts will be included in your confirmation email after booking.
The all-inclusive ticket price includes:
- A day of talks at Torquay Museum by bestselling authors Robert Thorogood and Victoria Dowd, as well as Dr Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown of the Swinging Christies podcast and one further speaker, to be announced.
- Book signings with the authors.
- Picnic-style lunch at the Museum, to eat inside the Museum or outside in the park.
- An invite to the unveiling of the new Agatha Christie statue.
- Entry to the ball and welcome drink.
- Three-course meal.
- Live entertainment and after-dinner speaker.
- Exclusive commemorative newspaper.
- Exclusive pin badge.
- Exclusive commemorative lanyard.
- Discounted accommodation at the Hampton by Hilton or The Imperial hotels.
Ticket price: £150
This promises to be a very special and unique day celebrating the unveiling of the new Agatha Christie statue. However, space is limited so we can only offer 130 tickets. Please do book early to avoid disappointment.
If you have any questions, or would like to be added to the waiting list, please email admin@iacf-uk.org
Accessibility
Torquay Museum: The talks will be held in the Pengelly Hall at Torquay Museum. This is on Level 1 and is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Access to the ground floor entrance is by ramp, while a lift and stair lift provide access to all the other levels. There are accessible toilets on both the ground floor and Level 1. There is a hearing loop and assistance dogs are welcome. There is one disabled parking space in the Museum forecourt, which is bookable in advance on 01803 293975. There is also limited parking opposite the Museum which Blue Badge users are permitted to use for free for an unlimited period of time. For any enquiries or particular needs please contact the Museum on 01803 293975 or email enquiries@torquaymuseum.org For their full accessibility information click here: torquaymuseum.org/accessibility
Statue Unveiling: The area around the Strand where the statue will be unveiled is flat and if you require us to reserve space for a wheelchair please email us at admin@iacf-uk.org However, there are hills between the statue and both the Museum and Imperial hotel. Please do email us if you have any specific needs.
The Imperial Hotel: There is a small step or a ramp to gain access to the hotel. The Palm Court Lounge is on the ground floor and the ballroom is accessible by a lift. There are 8 allocated Blue Badge parking spaces at the front of the main reception. For any enquiries or particular needs please contact the Imperial on 01803 294 301. For full accessibility information click here: theimperialtorquay.co.uk/accessibility
If you have any particular access requirements or enquiries, do please get in touch and we will do whatever we feasibly can to accommodate you. Please email admin@iacf-uk.org
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