ORGANISERS of the Boswell Book Festival are gearing up for this year’s event which takes place between May 4 and 6.

A new Friends scheme has been launched which will give supporters and regular visitors to the festival the chance to become more involved than previously.

Members will benefit from getting access to the online programme before the official launch of the schedule of events, as well as enjoying priority telephone bookings.

They will also get a personal invitation to a new festival launch event, at a venue to be confirmed and receive regular newsletters as the festival draws closer.

A spokeswoman said: “The festival is a unique celebration of people’s life stories set against the backdrop of one of Scotland’s most beautiful historic houses. We are indebted to all who have supported the Boswell Book Festival over the past eight years in many different ways.

“It is only with the help of so many loyal supporters that the Festival has achieved recognition as a cultural event of national importance.

“It is staged by the Boswell Trust, a volunteer-led charity and therefore support, in its many forms, is always going to be essential to the festival’s ongoing development including its exciting programme for young people through schools and outreach work.

“The Trust relies entirely on annually-sourced grant funding, sponsorship, donations and voluntary support and we therefore invite people to join our new Friends and Patrons scheme.”

Suggested donations start at £25 for Friends up to £500+ for the Papyrus scheme which includes complimentary tickets for up to four events.

Dumfries House is the venue once again and families will be most welcome, with traditional favourites such as the Royal Drawing School, author talks and book signings taking place. Stranger than Fiction will comprise tales from family history, World War II, plant hunters, judges, poets, actors, painters, kings and more.

Seed bombs, snakes and writers will be just a small part of the ever-popular children’s festival.

Anyone can become a Friend of the Boswell Book Festival for a minimum donation of £25 — visit www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk for more information.