FOR people who love social and cultural history, Chalke Valley History Festival’s speakers will be discussing Britain’s monarchy, railways, artists and more.

The festival runs from June 27 to July 3 on the Dorset/Wiltshire border.

Headlining for the first time this year, will be the historian Niall Ferguson, broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, former Secretary of State Peter Mandelson, biographer Hermione Lee, philosopher AC Grayling, and musician Mark Knopfler.

Also making their debut appearance will be the former Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, former head of the British Army Field Marshall Lord Bramall, political commentator Jonathan Dimbleby, scientist Matt Ridley, television presenter Dan Cruickshank, and former Beirut hostage Terry Waite.

Festival favourites making a welcome return include Max Hastings, Michael Morpurgo, Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Ian Hislop, Andrea Wulf, Michael Wood, Tracy Borman, Dan Jones, Alice Roberts, Simon Sebag Montefiore and Charlie Higson.

The Bournemouth Daily Echo will be sponsoring The History of Advertising on the Sunday.

Hosted by Paul Bainsfair, this is the story of the often-conflicting theories of how advertising works and how it has influenced society and culture, why the British are so good at it, and the brilliant individuals who have shaped it over the years and the many memorable ideas it has produced.

A festival spokesman said: “Veterans of the Second World War have always been a huge draw at the festival, and this year we are thrilled to be welcoming Herr Günter Halm, a German veteran of North Africa and Normandy and Knight’s Cross winner – awarded to him in person by Field Marshal Rommel in 1942.

“Johnny Johnson, the last surviving Dam Buster, will also be discussing the Dams Raid and his time in Bomber Command, while Joy Hunter, one of Churchill’s wartime secretaries, will be discussing with Andrew Roberts her memories of working for the Prime Minister, plus the incredible events she witnessed and people she met.”

The full literary programme of over 140 speakers can be found online at cvhf.org.uk.