Wallingford honours one of its own with the return of events for the Agatha Christie Weekend from September 9th to 11th
Everyone loves a good mystery and without doubt the “Queen of Crime” is Agatha Christie, today almost 50 years after her death her books are still read by millions and adapted for TV, the cinema and stage.
The writer and playwright lived in Winterbrook for over 40 years writing many of her novels featuring sleuths the Belgian, Hercule Poirot and the quintessentially English Miss Marple, here.
The museum’s Agatha Christie exhibition At Home with the Queen of Crime offers a glimpse into her life
The Agatha Christie Weekend begins in Wallingford Museum on the Friday night at 7.30pm, with a Who Dunnit challenge, use clues to find your way around the Museum’s nooks and crannies as well as it’s fascinating exhibits, to learn more about Agatha Christie while detecting the answers to solve the murder!
The museum’s Agatha Christie exhibition At Home with the Queen of Crime offers a glimpse into her life, photos of her home and memories from local people who met her including shop assistants and her staff.
On Saturday, take a guided walk along the Agatha Christie Trail, starting at Wallingford Museum at 10am and finishing at St Mary’s Church in Cholsey, where both Christie and her husband, Max Mallowan, are buried.
In the evening don’t miss the great Murder Mystery Dinner at Cholsey Great Hall. The setting is a wedding reception, so please feel free to dress to impress. You are cordially invited to the impending wedding of Lady Mary Campbell to her betrothed, Jamie Lamont. The Father of the Bride requires you to bear witness… and keep the naughty groom in check, strictly no fighting! Everyone’s a suspect – can you solve the case..?
You’re invited to solve the crime and dine on a delicious three-course dinner provided by The Little Artichoke. Alicensed bar will be available too. Places are selling fast (£40). Find out more at cholseyvillage.com
On Sunday, enjoy a guided walk around Wallingford, taking in some of the town’s historic sites and buildings, as well as its Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders connections, starting from under the Town Hall at 11am.
For full details of events, costs and bookings please visit wallingfordmuseum.org.uk
Find out more
Find out more in a newly published 42-page fully illustrated book: At Home with Agatha Christie: the Wallingford and Cholsey Connection. The book opens the door to give a rare glimpse of Agatha’s real home at Winterbrook House, drawing on the varied memories of those who knew and met her. These reminiscences have been gathered over the years by local authors Judy Dewey and Tony Rayner who have now brought them together to tell a unique and fascinating story.
The book is available in Wallingford Museum for £8.50, where you can also see the splendid Agatha Christie exhibition and view some of her original hand-written letters, wallingfordmuseum.org.uk
It can also be purchased at www.piepowder.co.uk and some local bookshops.