Sir Richard Eyre, Andrew Fusek Peters, Abbie Ross, Peter Francis

Libby Purves is joined by writer Abbie Ross; director Sir Richard Eyre; poet and and wild swimmer Andrew Fusek Peters and Peter Francis, warden of Gladstone's Library. In 1972 when Abbie Ross was two her cosmopolitan parents moved from London to rural Wales to lead an alternative lifestyle. In her book, Hippy Dinners, she recreates this childhood - in particular her parents' friendships with local hippies and their embarrassing taste for hummus, cheesecloth and yoga. Hippy Dinners - A memoir of a rural childhood is published by Transworld. Sir Richard Eyre CBE is a director of theatre, film, television and opera who brings his latest production of The Pajama Game to London's West End. He started his career in regional theatre before becoming director of the National Theatre in 1987. He has directed numerous productions including Betty Blue Eyes, Quartermaine's Terms and Stephen Ward: The Musical. He won the 2014 Olivier Award for Best Director for his production of Ibsen's Ghosts. His film and television credits include Notes on a Scandal; Iris; Henry IV Parts I and II and Tumbledown for which he won a BAFTA. The Pajama Game is at The Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Andrew Fusek Peters is a poet and storyteller. His new book Dip - Wild Swims and Stories from the Borderlands is the story of his year of wild swimming in rivers, lakes, waterfalls and hidden pools. The book is an honest account of his recovery from a bout of severe depression and how swimming helped him regain a sense of purpose. Dip - Wild Swims and Stories from the Borderlands is published by Rider. Peter Francis is an Anglican priest who became the warden of Gladstone's Library in 1997. Britain's only Prime Ministerial library, it was founded by the Victorian statesman himself and, following his death in 1898, became the national memorial to his life and work. Peter was instrumental in developing the Islamic Reading Room Project, a resource to nurture dialogue between Christians and Muslims.