2015 Agatha Christie Festival: Day 5 - Talks, Tea and a Twilight Tour

Afternoon Tea, Imperial Hotel

Day 5 (16/09/2015)

We're well into the Agatha Christie Festival now and today has been a very busy day, with four events I wanted to attend (well there were more, but there's just not enough time in the day!!)

In the morning, I attended two excellent talks. The first was at Torquay Museum, and was hosted by John Curran, Julius Green, Ben Nealon and Deborah Grant. John Curran covered the various adaptations of And Then There Were None, in particular on the stage and on screen. Julius Green spoke about the play, and how it was adapted in the war to give a happier ending - using a different version of the poem. I have his book - Curtain Up, which talks about Agatha's life in the theatre. It was also interesting to hear from the actors who are currently starring in And Then There Were None - Ben Nealon and Deborah Grant - and to hear how they study the characters when they take on the role.

Next on the list was the The Golden Age of Murder talk by Martin Edwards, at Torre Abbey. Martin was quite an entertaining speaker, and didn't seem to have any notes with him. I'm impressed by anyone who can stand up and speak in front of so many people - but to do it without notes shows he really knows his stuff! I have his book and have started reading it, it's such an easy read and really interesting. So far, it's about the Detection Club and looks into the background to some of it's members, including Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and Anthony Berkeley Cox. A really good read so far, and I'm looking forward to getting home and the having the time to finish it!!

After the talks we headed over to the Imperial Hotel for Afternoon Tea on the Terrace - with Jazz music playing in the background. It was a lovely atmosphere, quite a few people were dressed up in 1920s-1940s outfits. The food was lovely - there were various sandwiches, scones (fruit and plain!) and cakes, all served with delicious tea!

Before leaving, I decided to search for the Sturdy Table, but couldn't find it anywhere - and it was pouring it down with rain. I later learned it had moved inside, so I might make another trip to the Imperial Hotel later in the week if I get time.

Signed first edition

We rounded off the day with a Twilight Tour of Greenway! It was a little eerie at first, we walked down the long winding driveway, and apart from us and another couple, there was no-one around. We decided to try the door to Greenway, and it was unlocked! So we went into the house - still no-one around. We quietly made our way to the inner hall where we found a group of people sat around the table reading - none of whom looked up when we walked in. It was very strange.

While we worked up the courage to speak to them, a National Trust volunteer came out from the kitchen area, and greeted us. We were then split into groups of about six, and taken on a tour of Greenway. We've been to Greenway on a couple of occasions, but this tour gave us more access to places we'd not been to before, and more personal information. It was amazing!

Also.....we got to see - and handle - some first edition Agatha Christie books!!! How exciting is that? I felt like I had to whisper when we were in the presence of them!! Before we could touch them we were shown how to handle and open them (not more than 90 degrees). There were even some signed books to Rosalind from Agatha. To think, she had held those very books - perhaps not with the attractive blue gloves on - but they were ones that had belonged to her at some point!!

The National Trust volunteers were fantastic, and very knowledgeable. After the tour, we went to the kitchen and had some wine and canapes, while we got to ask more questions and find out more about our favourite author. I think this has been one of my favourite events so far.

Here are a few more photos from Greenway...

Gardens, Greenway

Dining Room, Greenway

Library, Greenway

Agatha's Bedroom, Greenway

We've got another eventful day tomorrow - we're off to Greenway again for some tasty treats, all based on recipes from Agatha's books....! Hopefully without the poison added!! Bye for now...

2015 Agatha Christie Festival: Day 4 - Birthday Celebrations and Burgh Island

Burgh Island

Day 4 (15/09/2015)

Today would have been Agatha Christie's 125th Birthday!! I wonder what she'd have thought about a festival all about her. According to her grandson, Mathew Prichard, Agatha was a very shy private lady so she probably wouldn't have wanted a fuss.

And Then There Were None

Today was the annual Burgh Island Agatha Christie luncheon. We dressed up this time, I wore a 1920s flapper-style outfit and my husband wore a dress suit with a white dinner jacket and black bow-tie! The weather forecast initially didn't look good for today, but when we arrived in Bigbury-on-sea, the clouds parted, the sun came out and it turned out to be a glorious day.

The tide was out this time, and as soon as we arrived we saw two Range Rovers set off from the island and head towards us - how they knew we'd arrived, I don't know, but it was quite nice. They took us across to the island so we didn't need to walk across the sand. No sea tractor this time. Although, that was good in a way, last year my hair was all over the place after travelling across on the tractor - it was a good experience though!

Evil Under the Sun

We had cocktails when were arrived - I had a Burgh Island Breeze, followed by a Strawberry Daquiri - which were both very nice (and I think quite strong!). Gary 'McBar' was there again, he amazes me, he recognised us from last year and called us by our first names all through the day - he did this with everyone and there were about 50 people there. How he remembered everyone's name, I'll never know.

All the tables were named after books this time, we were on the Seven Dials Mystery table. There was a 1930s authentic menu. For starter, I had Coquilles St Jacques, Sole-Suchet for main followed by Charlotte Russe for dessert. The food was lovely, the scallops were cooked to perfection, so was the sole. I couldn't eat all of my dessert.

After the meal, Gary McBar took everyone on a tour of the island. We gave it a miss this time as we went last year (and I'm not too keen on heights). This gave us time to enjoy the hotel a bit more before heading to the Pilchard Inn for one last drink before we headed back.

Burgh Island is at truly is an amazing place, and I can understand why Christie spent time here.

Torre Abbey Gardens

In the evening, we headed back to Torre Abbey for the 125th Birthday Celebrations. The grounds were beautifully lit up. There were a few entertainers, and characters from Agatha's books - Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot.

We were guided through the gardens and made our way to the main grass area, where there was a cake made by the students of South Devon College. We all sang Happy Birthday to Agatha Christie, and then Mathew Prichard cut the cake - and we all got a piece - it was a very tasty cake.

Another fantastic day! Here are a few more photos...

Dressed up ready for Burgh Island

Burgh Island

Our table, Burgh Island

125th Birthday Celebrations, Torre Abbey

Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day with a couple of talks, afternoon tea and a trip to Greenway!! I can't wait!!

2015 Agatha Christie Festival: Day 3 - Poisons, Portraits & Prosecco

Torre Abbey

Day 3 (14/09/15)

Today started off with a really interesting talk by Kathryn Harkup: A is for Arsenic. Dr Kathryn Harkup is a research chemist and an avid Christie fan - which makes her the perfect person to write a book on the poisons Christie uses in her novels.

Kathryn gave a great analysis of the poisons used in Christie's novels, and described three in particular - Strychnine (The Mysterious Affair at Styles), Phosphorus (Dumb Witness) and Arsenic (Murder is Easy). All three used to be quite readily available - Strychnine was given as a medicine, Phosphorus was used on match heads and Arsenic was available over the counter in rat poison. There were some really interesting facts, apparently, in the olden days, people used to eat match heads as a form of suicide! We found out how to spot the various poisonings, how to slow down the effects and what the antidotes are. Kathryn even explained the dosage that was considered lethal. Luckily, nowadays, these poisons are not so readily available.

Following this excellent talk, I went to have a look at the Unfinished Portrait exhibition. The exhibition is on in Torre Abbey until 18 October, so there's plenty of time to see it. If you're an avid fan like me, then I would recommend going along. I've seen many photos of Agatha in her autobiography, books she's written, books about her and online but this exhibition gives you a insight into Agatha's personal life, including some of her personal photos in photo albums. Definitely worth a visit.

Sturdy Table, Torre Abbey

After the exhibition, I decided to go and have a look for some of the Sturdy Tables dotted around Torquay and I found three. The first one at Torre Abbey, in the Medieval Garden. I sat there for a while to listen to the wind blowing through the trees and smell the lavender as the bees buzzed busily by.

The second Sturdy table I found was in the Artizan Gallery - it was a lovely table, decorated with Agatha Christie book covers. There was also a matching lamp and wine bottle! The art gallery, also had a number of Agatha Christie based art - all done by local artists. It was a lovely little gallery.

I found my third and final Sturdy Table for today at Dot's Pantry on Union Street. The table was in the window so you could watch the world go by while enjoying a bit of cake. I decided to buy some cake to take out and took a piece back to my husband - he was a little concerned, considering I had just attended a talk on poisons and visited Torre Abbey and the poisons garden...! But don't worry, he's fine and well, no red berries, glowing icing or taste of almonds in sight!

What a better way to finish off the day than with a Murder Mystery! This event was not part of the official Agatha Christie Festival, but arranged by the Dartmouth Railway Company. It's a Murder Mystery on a train! We arrived at Paignton Station and were greeted with a glass of Prosecco. The characters came and mingled with us while we waited to board the train. Once we boarded the train, and settled in, we set off. The view was lovely, we went past Goodrington Sands and Broadsands. Then the food arrived while the characters acted around us. We made a 'unscheduled' stop at Churston Station where the actors left the train and acted out scenes on the platform. As soon as we arrived in Kingswear there was a scream! The butler had been found strangled. We were then given the opportunity to question three remaining suspects and then deliver our verdict. It was good fun!

Here are a few more photos from the day...

Sturdy Table, Artizan Gallery

Cakes, Dot's Pantry

2015 Agatha Christie Festival: Day 2 - The Grand Hotel & Talking Books

The Agatha Christie Suite

Day 2 (13/09/2015)

The theme for today's events at the Agatha Christie Festival was 'Agatha Christie and the First World War' and there were many events centred around this theme. We booked onto the 'Agatha, Archie and The Grand Hotel' event which took place, at The Grand Hotel - where Agatha and Archie spent their honeymoon on Christmas Eve in 1914.

The first part of the talk was given by Fiona Hallworth from Clifton College, Bristol and focused on Archie Christie and his upbringing and education. Archie attended Clifton College which wasn't very far from where his mother and step-father lived. It was sad to hear that all of Archie's team mates died in the First World War and he was the only one to survive. The research is in the early stages, so there were still a lot of questions, but it looked at the different influences on his life and how these may have led to influences on Agatha and her writing.

Anna Farthing, the Festival's Director, followed with a look at Agatha's life and learning in comparison to Archie's. Where Archie's education was planned and timetabled, Agatha's was relaxed and almost entirely at her leisure. Anna Farthing also read a section from Agatha Christie's biography, about her wedding day and how Archie was determined that they marry as soon as possible, when he was on leave from the First World War. We also got to see his leave record, which showed when he on leave from the war - which wasn't that often. It must have been so difficult, to marry and then see your husband go back to war a few days later.

We were then given a brief history of The Grand Hotel by a member of the hotel management before being taken on a tour - including the newly refurbished Agatha Christie Suite!!

Agatha and Archie honeymoon in a two-bedroomed apartment. As mentioned, the room has been refurbished in a modern art-deco style. The manager, who showed us round, said that everything was made or renovated by staff in the hotel, the rooms were painted by the maintenance staff, the furniture was reupholstered by staff etc. They also make and bake all their own bread, food and source all meat and fish from within 10 miles of the hotel (except for Scottish salmon - which is the best).

We also had a tour of the 1881 restaurant and out on the terrace - it's a beautiful building and very nicely decorated. There was a lovely view of Torquay from the Terrace - just a shame about the weather!

The Little Theatre

This evening, we attended the RNIB's Talking Books event at a place called The Little Theatre, which is tucked away on St Mark's Road towards Hesketh Crescent and Meadfoot Beach. It's the 80th anniversary of Talking Books, and Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was one of the first three novels available.

It was quite an informative evening - we learnt the history of Braille, and how Talking Books started and the reasons behind it. Many of the men who returned from the First World War had been blinded, they could not return to their jobs and found it difficult to get back into everyday life. They could not read Braille and it was difficult to pick up at their stage in life. This was where the evening became interactive. We were all given a pack when we arrived, and in it was a card with the Braille alphabet on. We were asked to close our eyes, and find the Braille card in our bags - which was quite difficult. We were then asked to try and feel the letters - again, this is very difficult. You have to have very sensitive fingertips to be able to read it.

We also learnt how audio books are made - I didn't realise how much was involved in this process - from hiring an actor, studio, producer to editing and creating the cd/download. It's a very expensive business. We heard from Harper Collins who are aiming to provide all their new titles this year in hardback, paperback, e-book and audio book - however the consumer wants it! Harper Collins also provided everyone with a free Agatha Christie audio book. I got Endless Night and my husband got a collection of short stories including 'Death by Drowning' and 'The Plymouth Express' read by Joan Hickson and David Suchet respectively!

Finally, we heard from the RNIB - who do so much for all those who are registered blind or partially sighted. The lady said that every day, about 100 people are registered as blind. As well as providing a lending library of audio books, they also produce educational materials for schools and colleges. When the final Harry Potter novel was released, they created Braille copies and hand-delivered them to children around the country on the day of release - so visually-impaired children were able to chat to their friends about the new book because they had a copy too!

All in all, it's been a lovely day learning about Agatha Christie and the First World War. Looking forward to tomorrow when we go on a Murder Mystery Dining Train...!!

Braille alphabet card, glasses to simulate partial-sight, wear dots to raise lots for RNIB

2015 Agatha Christie Festival: Day 1 - Arrival & Mystery Film Event

Torquay

Day 1 (12/09/2015)

It's finally here! After a long drive we arrived in Torquay for the Agatha Christie Festival. It's so exciting to be back in Torquay - it felt like we hadn't been away. I have so many happy memories of Torquay from when I was a child, and now as an adult coming back for the festival each year, it's wonderful. Torquay is looking lovely, the gardens are in full bloom in Princess Gardens and Abbey Park (above). Now all we need is for the weather to improve a bit and it will be perfect!!

We checked into our apartment when we arrived - it's a beautiful place, nicely decorated with lovely furnishings. Great as a base from which to enjoy our adventures this week.

We caught up with some friends we met last year and went over to their hotel for some pre-dinner drinks. Some other friends of theirs were also there, and one of them was dressed as Poirot - he looked amazing - his outfit was perfect, right down to the cane and the pince-nez! I'll get some photos this week (if he doesn't mind). We're going to Burgh Island together, so there should be plenty of opportunity.

The Festival theme for today was 'Festive Family Fun'. There were a number of events during the day that we unfortunately missed as we were driving down. But we were here in time for John Curran's Mystery Film Night!

The event was hosted in the Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey again. Last year we heard a radio play which was followed by a film. However, this year we were treated to two films! As per last year, John Curran didn't tell us what the films were until we saw the opening credits....

The first film was a 25-minute Manga-style adaptation of The Blue Geranium, starring Miss Marple and her great-niece Mabel West (a new character). And what an interesting adaptation it was!!! The adaptation was quite true to the book, but this is the first time I've seen an animated version of any of Agatha Christie's books. The film forms part of a series which includes both Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot cases. Mabel West is the link between the two, as mentioned, she's Miss Marple's great-niece but she also works as Poirot's assistant! If she can pick up skills from the both of them, she'll be an awesome detective!

The second film was was made by the BBC in 1982, John Curran mentioned it had only ever been shown on Boxing Day the same year. It starred Penelope Keith as the main character Clarissa and was based on one of Agatha Christie's plays - Spider's Web. I've never seen this play before, so it was quite a treat to see it on screen and to try and guess whodunnit - and Agatha kept me guessing to the end. Like all Christie's once the culprit was revealed it made sense and I remembered clues I'd previously overlooked. Made me wonder how I could have missed such obvious clues!

Tomorrow is 'Agatha Christie and the First World War' and we're going to one of the talks at the Grand Hotel. Depending on the weather we might also have a walk round Torquay and see if we can find some of the Sturdy Tables!

Bye for now!!

2015 Agatha Christie Festival - Programme has been released!

Agatha Christie

The Agatha Christie Festival programme has been released! Good timing too - I'd just finished reminiscing about last year.

There's so much more to do this year, and each day has a particular theme - which is a great idea. The events all centre around this theme. There's a Mystery Film event, Murder Mystery Dinner, Afternoon Tea, Tea Dance, Garden Party, talks, walks, exhibitions and much, much more!! Every night there's also the opportunity to meet up with Agatha Christie fans at the Grand Hotel.

Greenway

So much to do - so little time!

I've been through all the events and booked us tickets. I've also booked us onto some events that aren't organised through the Agatha Christie Festival but that are going on in and around Torquay - such as the Murder Mystery Dining Train. I found these on the English Riviera site, by searching for events during the festival week. It's quite a good site and has lots of information about Agatha Christie and the Agatha Christie Mile and Literary Trail.

I've created a spreadsheet again with all the events we've booked so I can plan our time most effectively (I love spreadsheets)!

I was so excited about booking our tickets that I tweeted about it - I don't often tweet - but it was favourited by the official Agatha Christie Festival! How exciting :). I might have to tweet more often.

All that's left to do now is to work out what we're going to wear. I've already bought a flapper-type dress and have some costume-pearls. I'm still not sure how to do my hair. I've been looking on Pinterest for ideas. Not long now!!

Three months to go (and counting). So excited!!!

2014 Agatha Christie Festival: Part 6 - Murder Mystery Dinner Party

As with all good things, our week at the Agatha Christie Festival had to come to an end. But before it was over, we spent our last night doing a bit of sleuthing at a Murder Mystery dinner!!

The evening was hosted by The Man in the Brown Suit - a little reference there to one of Agatha Christie's books. In fact, there were quite a few references - apparently we couldn't ask Mrs McGinty any questions, because she was dead (Mrs McGinty's Dead), Miss Honeycott was carrying a copy of The Mystery of the Blue Train, on the front cover it mentioned The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Albert said there was a wasps nest in the potting shed (The Wasps Nest) and there was some discussion as to why nobody has asked Doris Evans (Why Didn't They Ask Evans?)!!

Our Host, The Man in the Brown Suit

Our host set the scene for us - it was 1930, we were dining in the private members club of the Sunningdale House Hotel where a Mr Anthony Shepherd had recently been found murdered. The police already had a suspect in custody - a Miss Doris Evans (his mistress). It was our job - along with the help of Tommy and Tuppence - to find who had really committed the crime!!


Tommy and Tuppence

We were given a list of suspects and there were a number of witnesses to question. They were dressed up and kept in character all the way through the evening. One thing we learnt was to get there early - the characters were there and you could mingle with them and ask questions before being seated. We found this out afterwards...

At first I found it a bit odd, asking them questions but we soon got into it. At the end of each round, Tommy and Tuppence summed up their findings, to make sure we were keeping up with the story. They also visited each table during question time to help and lead us in the right direction.

In between questioning, we had a three course meal - for once I didn't take any pictures of my food! We were too busy questioning the witnesses and making notes!!


We were also given the opportunity to send a telegram to Doris Evans, who was in prison. We were told that Mr Shepherd had been stabbed with a hatpin so I asked whether Doris ever wore hatpins. This is the reply I received....


A Telegram

Not so helpful! In hindsight, maybe I should have asked if she had lost one of her hatpins. There were other clues, all supposedly belonging to Mr Shepherd - an almost finished painting (which had some of the trees painted brown instead of green), a pair of walking boots and socks (with one red and one green sock) - all very odd because the victim was not colour blind. However, one of the suspects was!!

Clues!!

We had already worked out who the murderer was, but to be honest, it all seemed a bit familiar to me. I was sure I had read the story somewhere, but a long time ago. I only remembered things when they happened or when someone told us something useful. But it meant some of the more obscure clues made sense.

At the end of the night we had to write down who we thought the murderer was and why. I wrote an essay and included all the clues we had picked up along the way!! It was such good fun. And, we came second!

All too soon, it was time to go back to our apartment and finish packing, before we set off early the next morning back to Yorkshire. It was a really enjoyable week and we met lots of other Agatha Christie fans, from all over the world - Scotland, Belgium, Germany, America and even Australia! We're going back this year and have already booked an apartment. However, there's still no news on the programme :(. But it's been fun reminiscing about last year.

I've been re-reading all of Agatha Christie's books and I recently read The Sunningdale Mystery which is a Tommy and Tuppence story. And that's the one! It was the story that this Murder Mystery dinner was based on. I knew I'd read it somewhere before. I think I've also seen it on television.

Mystery solved....!

2014 Agatha Christie Festival: Part 5 - A Garden Party to Die For...

Afternoon Tea, Torre Abbey

Torre Abbey hosted a Garden Party to Die For as part of the Agatha Christie Festival. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and it was quite warm - not bad for September. The grounds of Torre Abbey were immaculate and the gardens were in full bloom. Afternoon tea was served with a selection of sandwiches, pastries, scones, cakes, macaroons and, of course, a cup of tea!

Everyone was dressed in 1930s outfits, and there were deckchairs and bunting. There were even a couple of Hercule Poirot's wandering - including the official one and a German one.

Ally Marshall, the head gardener at Torre Abbey talked about the poisonous plants garden she's created based on the poisons Agatha Christie used her in novels.

Poison was by far the most popular method of murder in Christie's novels. I suppose her training as a pharmacy dispenser helped her gain her in-depth knowledge of poisons and the exact dosage required to be harmless - and deadly!

I think I read somewhere that more than 80 victims were poisoned in her novels. That's a lot of poisoning!! The most popular poison Christie used was arsenic - which was quite easy to acquire in those days.

Among the plants in the garden were:

• Monkshood, also known as aconite - which was used in They Do It With Mirrors (1952) and 4.50 From Paddington (1957)
• Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade - which was used in The Caribbean Mystery (1964) and The Big Four (1927)
• Poppies, from which Morphine is derived - which is used in Hickory, Dickory, Dock (1955) and Sad Cypress (1940)

The advice from Ally Marshall was that we can look - but do not touch!!

Also, at Torre Abbey was the Agatha Christie Book Bench, painted by Mandi Pope. The bench was one of fifty that were commissioned by the National Literacy Trust. They were in London last year but were auctioned off in October. Among them was a Great Expectations bench, James Bond bench, Terry Pratchett bench, Paddington Bear bench and Peter Pan bench. You can find a full list on the Books about Town webpage. Unfortunately, we didn't get chance to go down to London to see them.

At least we got to the Agatha Christie Bench though. The images for the Agatha Christie Bench were based on the Tom Adams cover for Dead Man's Folly. Here are a few photos...

2014 Agatha Christie Festival: Part 2 - Monogram Murders

Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey

On the Sunday evening we went to the book launch of Monogram Murders - a new Poirot novel, by Sophie Hannah. I'd never been to a book launch before so didn't know what to expect.

Sophie Hannah

The event was held in the Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey. It was such a lovely setting. Sophie Hannah spoke about her inspiration for the novel and the daunting task of following in the footsteps of the Agatha Christie.

I'd already ordered a signed copy online, but I queued up to get it signed again. When Sophie Hannah saw it had already been signed, she told me she remembered being called to a warehouse in the middle of the night to sign them. Sounds a bit spooky to me...perhaps a good setting for a murder...?

Mathew Prichard

Mathew Prichard was there too!!! He talked a bit about his grandmother and how kind and generous she was, and that she was quite shy. He said they would sit together in the evening while his grandmother read her stories to them. Then they would all take turns guessing who the murderer was!

After the talk, we went up to ask if we could have a photo with him. I was a little star-struck and didn't know what to say, but he was really nice. We kept bumping into him for the remainder of the festival - at Burgh Island and a couple of the other talks.

Reading on the balcony

I read Monogram Murders while we were in Torquay. Sophie Hannah's style of writing was good and the portrayal of Poirot was about right - his meticulous ways and little French/Belgium phrases here and there. But I didn't find it as captivating as an Agatha Christie novel.

I'm not really sure what it was, maybe it was the plot or the different viewpoint - which kept changing (the book was mainly from the viewpoint of a new character, Edward Catchpool). It could be that it wasn't as believable as a Christie novel. I don't know. All I do know is, it was a hard task and would be difficult for anyone. Maybe I'm just biased - I've been reading Christie novels since I was about 12 years old and have read many of them over-and-over again!!


Time to go now - our next adventure was Burgh Island, where Agatha Christie stayed and based some of her novels - there's even a room named after her! Until next time...