A Gloucestershire town is preparing to host the UK’s first ever free Christian book festival. 

It will include special guest Sophie Neville, an actor that starred in Swallows and Amazons as a young girl before finding her Christian faith. 

Stroud will welcome 15 different Christian authors to participate in their new event – Book Blest. 

The authors hail from all sides of the UK, but it was an author closer to home that thought of the idea; Brendan Conboy – author of One God, Many Names, a proud Stroud resident. 

It’s believed the event will be the first of its kind in the UK, and will offer something for readers of all ages.

The festival, held at Stroud Baptist Church on the 4th and 5th November, will include children’s sessions, poetry, teen and young adult session, as well as some sessions dedicated to the more mature readers.

Brendan Conboy said: “We hear so much nowadays that the Church is dead and irrelevant.  This festival is an example of how the Church is alive and forward-thinking.

“As for relevance, why not come along and see for yourself?  We feel connected to that which we can relate to, each of the featured authors brings something special, they relate through words.”

The entire festival is free to enter and enjoy.