This World Book Day, Phillips Law is pleased to announce its support for the Winchester Books Festival by sponsoring an upcoming event in the festival’s programme.

Members of our team, George English and Eliza Burt recently attended the festival’s launch event, where we heard from founders Sophie Liardet and Sian Searles about their vision for bringing engaging literary events to Winchester. They have curated author events bringing readers together to celebrate storytelling across a wide range of genres. Explaining their focus is always on choosing writers whose work captivates audiences and inspires thoughtful discussion. Their commitment has helped establish the festival as an exciting cultural event in Winchester’s calendar.

It is especially special this year as 2026 is the year of reading: National Year of Reading 2026 | National Literacy Trust.

The evening also included remarks from Danny Chambers, MP, who spoke about the important role reading plays in social mobility. He highlighted that children who read for pleasure consistently achieve stronger outcomes than their peers, regardless of socio-economic background. His message reinforced the importance of encouraging reading from an early age and ensuring access to books and ideas for everyone.

Supporting the Festival Programme

As part of our support for the festival, Phillips Law is proud to sponsor a special event with wine expert and broadcaster Tom Gilbey on 18 April 2026.

Tom, widely known online as The Wine Guy, will be appearing to discuss his book Thirsty: 100 Great Wines and Stories, sharing stories from his career in the wine world and offering approachable insights into how to enjoy wine with confidence.

Drawing on his family’s winemaking heritage and extensive industry experience, Tom explores the wines that have shaped his journey, highlighting 100 of his favourites while offering practical advice on choosing, understanding, and enjoying wine without unnecessary complexity.

The event promises an entertaining and informative evening, combining humour, storytelling, and expert guidance. Whether attendees are experienced wine enthusiasts or simply curious about discovering new wines, Tom’s engaging style makes the subject accessible and enjoyable.

Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase some of Tom’s recommended wines following the talk.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday 18 April 2026

• Time: 5:30pm – 6:30pm

• Venue: The Guildhall

• Location: High Street, Winchester SO23 9GH

• Duration: 1 hour

• Tickets: Tom Gilbey – Winchester Books Festival

Supporting Community and Culture

At Phillips Law, we value opportunities to support initiatives that make a positive contribution to our local community. Winchester Books Festival plays an important role in promoting literacy, encouraging curiosity and bringing people together through shared cultural experiences.

We are delighted to support the festival and looking forward to being part of the event later this year.

If you would like to buy tickets here is the link to their events page: Events – Winchester Books Festival.

Our team talking with Danny Chambers.