An Evening with Bill Bryson OBE

On 24 October 2018 we hosted 132 guests in The Bow of the new 5-star Southampton Harbour Hotel to hear best-selling author, Bill Bryson (left), in conversation with broadcaster and author, Paul Heiney (right).

Following a reception drink, sponsored by The Southampton Harbour Hotel, in the sunlit Bow room overlooking Ocean Village Marina, the guests enjoyed music from a Jazz Duo, a sumptuous 3-course meal and then sat back to listen to the hugely enjoyable main event of the evening. They heard about Bill’s early career as a journalist, firstly with the Bournemouth Echo and later in Fleet Street. He and Paul then discussed several of his many travel books before finishing with an update on his next book which will be published in 2019.

Guests were then given a chance to win a personalised signed copy of the Bryson book after which their table had been named as well as taking part in a raffle and a Charity Auction. The event was jointly sponsored by Bonhomie United Charity Society and Frampton Estates Ltd. and raised £18,000 to fund our research.

     

      

Images courtesy of Nadja Litau, Photographer

Leukaemia Busters would like to thank the sponsors of the event as well as the following who donated Auction Items and Raffle Prizes and other services: Chocolate Craft, Alresford; David Lloyd, Southampton; Harrods; Hayes Music Ltd; Hobbs the Printers; Idyllic Holiday Properties; Liberty Wines; Marquis Motorhomes; Nadja Litau, Photographer; Pebble Beach Restaurant; P & O Cruises; Penguin Random House UK; Anna Robinson, Musician; Myles Tyrell, Musician; plus our volunteers. And of course a huge thank-you to Bill Bryson and Paul Heiney for giving their precious time freely to entertained our guests on the night.