Blythe Spirit: The Remarkable Life of Ronald Blythe
Part of the Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival 2025!
- Next Event
- 12th October 1:30pm
- Event Finishes
- 12th October 2:30pm

About this event
Ronald Blythe (1922-2023), author of the inimitable Akenfield, was a prolific and poetic chronicler of rural and spiritual life, nature and literature. He spent a joyful century close to his Suffolk roots, time travelling in his imagination and publishing forty books and thousands of essays.
Drawing on unparalleled access to leters, notebooks, published works, drafts, and conversations from decades of friendship, Ian Collins tells the full story of Ronald Blythe for the first time. The result is a sensitive, revelatory portrait which celebrates a fascinating, complex man and casts new light on one of our greatest writers.
A conversation with Bury St Edmunds Literary Festival Honorary Patron Nicola Upson
Books: Blythe Spirit: The Remarkable Life of Ronald Blythe (John Murray Press)
Suitability: 12+ Timing: 1 hour, followed by book signing
Tickets: Standard: £10, Concession: £5, U18: FREE
Venue: Abbeyagte Cinema
About the Venue
A beautifully modernised yet perfectly original 1920's cinema showing everything from timeless classics to box office latest releases.
The cinema boasts an impressive programme of Screen Arts and its Discover Cinema strand offers vintage classics, art-house gems and riveting documentaries.
There’s regular film for all ages and groups too with Family Matinees, Parent & Baby Screenings, Silver Screen, Student Screenings and Dementia Friendly Screenings.
Boasting a stylish Box Office area and a spectacular 180 stadium seated Premier Screen with a full-size 4k laser screen and state-of-the art projector, this three-screen cinema is packed full of comfortable reclining seats and cosy sofas and you can also enjoy a glass of wine, beer or soft drink and tasty snacks from the bar whilst watching your film.
The cinema also boasts a fantastic membership scheme which comes with a bundle of benefits including FREE tickets, 10% discount on food and drink plus up to £2 discount on tickets and our Young Adult Membership is just £15 for a year with FREE tickets included!
The added value of dinner and drinks to your cinematic experience is due to its stylish licensed restaurant and bar – No.4 which boasts a mouth-watering, diverse menu created by the immensely talented Head Chef Alex Rotherham who specialises in Canadian West Coast cuisine blending foods from around the world yet using local produce when possible.
So, whether you are seeing a film or live performance – you can enjoy a drink from comfy armchairs or cosy sofas – or wanting a coffee or a meal, visit No.4 at Abbeygate Cinema – the food is great and a warm welcome is guaranteed with members enjoying a 10% discount on food and drink.
