As the Swanage Literary Festival continues to expand in its third year, the cost of staging the event is increasing, so an antiques valuation evening has been organised to raise money for the event’s new chapter.
Dorset auctioneer and valuer Max Beaumont is coming to The Mowlem’s Studio in Swanage, Dorset, at 7 pm on Friday 19th June 2026 to talk about his work and some of the real curios he has unearthed, as well as valuing any interesting antiques that people bring along.
Salliann Coleman is looking forward to the 2026 Swanage Literary Festival
“Very interesting stories to tell!”
Max attracted national attention while working for Cottees Auction House of Wareham, when he discovered a strand of hair from the head of 19th century French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, which subsequently sold at auction to a local buyer.
The event is £10 a ticket and for an extra £5 audience members can get an individual valuation on an item they have brought along – so check the loft for hidden treasures!
Swanage Literary Festival organiser Salliann Coleman said:
“Our festival is getting bigger, which is wonderful, but the larger it gets, the more expensive it is to stage.
“So we are holding an evening at the Mowlem with Max, who has some very interesting stories to tell, will be playing ‘basic, better and best’ and will also be inviting people to bring along an item for valuation on the evening.
“He has held recent events to raise funds for St Edwards Church at Corfe Castle where he saw items from 18th Century English porcelain to Japanese works or art, and for St Nicholas Church at Studland, where he valued vintage Transformers toys and rare gold coins among other things.
“And at an event in Wareham, someone brought along an antique jigsaw puzzle dating back to 1870, showing a map of England and Wales, similar to some which are held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London!”
Max Beaumont at a valuation in event in Studland, where he raised £500 for St Nicholas Church
Gavin and Stacey actor Larry Lamb
The Swanage Literary Festival 2026 will take place from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th November 2026
The festival will open on the evening of the Thursday with a literary quiz hosted by Purbeck author Nick Jubber, who has written books about history, travel, folklore and mythology.
On Friday, children’s authors and poets dominate the programme, while on Saturday, adult fiction and non-fiction authors will feature.
Those already booked include writers Kristen Perrin, the bestselling author of How to Solve Your Own Murder, and Sophie Hannah, author of the new Hercule Poirot mystery novels, who won a Crime Writers Association Dagger for her books.
Eastenders and Gavin and Stacey actor Larry Lamb – a fan of Swanage from his childhood holidays – will also appear at the festival talking about a collection of his poetry scheduled to be published in 2027 as well as his debut novel All Wrapped Up, published in 2025.
Dorset novelists Sally Page, best selling author of The Keeper of Stories, The Book of Beginnings, and The Secrets of Flowers, and Andreina Cordani, who writes Christmas crime stories and young adult thrillers, are also due to join the festival.
Joanna Weaver and Will Ward will talk about their book recounting the life of SAS hero Peter Weaver
“Two standalone author events”
Salliann Coleman said:
“We are also going to host two standalone author events in October 2026, which will be great additions to our main festival.
“One is Joanna Weaver of Harman’s Cross and historian Will Ward, talking about SAS Rogue: The Clandestine Life of Peter Weaver – a book on Joanna’s heroic father, posthumously compiled from his diaries, which really needs more than a one-hour slot at the festival to do it justice.
“And children’s author Chris Smith, who has the blessing of the Enid Blyton estate to write the new adventures of The Famous Five, is going to be at The Swanage School to talk to Year 7 children, along with some Year 5 and 6 pupils invited from local junior schools.
“Our festival continues to grow its reputation. We nearly got Cressida Cowell, the author of How To Train Your Dragon for this year’s event, but she just couldn’t fit the date in – so maybe that’s something to look forward to in 2027?”
How To Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell may be a guest for the 2027 festival
Further information
- More about the valuation evening on The Mowlem website
- Swanage Literary Festival updates will appear on its Facebook page
