War Horse author’s award at Harrogate History Festival

By Graham Chalmers
Mark Lawson with Michael Morpurgo at Harrogate History Festival. (Picture by Charlotte Graham)Mark Lawson with Michael Morpurgo at Harrogate History Festival. (Picture by Charlotte Graham)
Mark Lawson with Michael Morpurgo at Harrogate History Festival. (Picture by Charlotte Graham)

First time author Ben Fergusson has scooped the Historical Writers’ Association 2015 Debut Crown Award for new historical fiction at Harrogate History Festival.

The author of The Spring of Kasper Meier which is set in post-war Berlin, was presented with the coveted award worth £2,000 by broadcaster Mark Lawson at the opening night of the Harrogate History Festival at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate.

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The event, hosted by Harrogate International Festivals, also saw War Horse author Michael Morpurgo, who has written more than 130 books for children, receive the Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award.

Harrogate History Festival - Historical Fiction Award winner Ben Fergusson at the Old Swan Hotel.Harrogate History Festival - Historical Fiction Award winner Ben Fergusson at the Old Swan Hotel.
Harrogate History Festival - Historical Fiction Award winner Ben Fergusson at the Old Swan Hotel.

Morpurgo said: “I am delighted and honoured to be presented with this special Award. History is the foundation of our society, who we are and where we are going, and it is crucial that we pass this on to our young people. What has happened before shapes the culture of our society.”

Harrogate History Festival runs at the Old Swan Hotel until Sunday with events including Kate Mosse (Friday, October 23, 5pm), Neil Oliver (Saturday, October 24, 9am), Tracy Borman - The Real Wolf Hall (Saturday, October 24, 10.30am), HRH Princess Michael of Kent (Saturday, October 24, 8.30pm), Melvyn Bragg (Sunday, October 25, 11.30am) and Ken Follett (Sunday, October 25, 1pm).

For tickets, day passes and weekend passes, call the Festival box office on 01423 562303 or book online:

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