Many of Speakers Corner's favourite speakers & comedians are appearing at The Chichester Festivities which starts tomorrow

A superb line-up of people are involved in this year's Chichester  Festivities, including some of Speakers Corner's favourite speakers and comedians:

Gavin Esler

Former chief North America correspondent for the BBC, and now a Newsnight presenter, Gavin Esler examines the dual themes of power and scandal. Sunday 28th July at 6pm

Julian Clary

Julian Clary is one of Britain’s best loved comedians. The veteran of 14 Edinburgh Festivals, two Royal Variety Shows, innumerable appearances as a panellist, especially on Radio 4’s Just a Minute, and also a bit of Strictly Come Dancing, Julian is also a writer, and now the author of three books. In conversation he talks about his latest novel Devil in Disguise, and other frolics - and almost anything else that comes up. Tuesday 30th at 8pm

Chris Patten

The world’s problems and possibilities, and their future, are analysed with unique authority by Chris Patten, Member of Parliament for thirteen years, last British Governor of Hong Kong, European Commissioner for External Affairs, and now a Peer of the Realm. Drawing on his experience he investigates the proliferating list of challenges facing our world and argues how each in turn may be faced. He asks What Next? and provides a range of subtle and at times controversial answers.  Thursday 2nd July at 6pm

Gyles Brandreth

Diarist, biographer and much-loved regular Radio 4 contributor Gyles Brandreth blurs the lines of fact and fiction with a series of classic English murder mysteries. The Oscar Wilde Murders feature the celebrated poet, wit, playwright and raconteur whose unparalleled access to all degrees of late Victorian society offers him a unique opportunity to investigate a series of brutal murders.  Saturday 4th July at 3pm

Vince Cable

Among politicians, only Vince Cable has called the economic crisis correctly. The Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman has risen above party politics. Alan Duncan, the Tory Business spokesman, describes him as the 'holy grail'. While Gordon Brown was declaring the end of boom and bust and David Cameron was sledging iwht huskies, Dr Cable, a former chief economist at Shell, was foretelling dark times.  Sunday July 5 at 7pm

Melvyn Bragg

The narrative arc of Melvyn Bragg's most recent quartet of novels closely mirrors the author's own well-publicised story. Here he explores the subtle interplay between the imagined and the real in the creation of fiction and telling of stories. Tuesday 7th July at 6pm

Nigel Lawson

In his controversial book An Appeal to Reason: A Cool Look at Global Warming, Lord Lawson argues that global warming is not the devastating threat to the planet that it is alleged to be and that the remedy currently being proposed is politically unattainable and, even if it could be achieved, would be more damaging than the threat it is intended to avert. Friday 10th July at 6pm

The Chichester Festivities commence on Friday 26th July and runs for 17 days of world-class music, fireworks, talks, jazz, comedy, exhibitions and spectacular outdoor events.  Click here for further information or to book tickets.