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Afternoon tea with Sir Terry Waite aboard the Orwell Lady next month?

Book lovers can enjoy scones with clotted cream while listening to the extraordinary Suffolk resident share tales from his remarkable life during a special river cruise.

Why it matters: This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity to meet the renowned humanitarian in an intimate setting ahead of his appearance at Felixstowe Book Festival begins in June.

The details: The Orwell Lady will host Sir Terry for a three-and-a-half-hour afternoon cruise on Sunday, 18 May, departing from Ipswich Waterfront at 14:00.

During his talk, Sir Terry will share insights from his encounters with prominent figures, including General Idi Amin of Uganda and Colonel Gaddafi.

The humanitarian will also discuss how he endured 1,763 days in captivity and recount stories from his time as a Special Envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Orwell Lady moored in Ipswich
The Orwell Lady moored in Ipswich(Emma Lightfoot)

What they're saying: Emma Lightfoot, Director of the Orwell Lady, said: "Felixstowe Book Festival patron Sir Terry Waite is a renowned human rights activist, as well as the co-founder and President of the charity Y Care International, Co-founder and Chair of Hostage UK, and President of Emmaus UK, the charity for the homeless."

"This will be a unique opportunity to listen to and meet this extraordinary Suffolk resident."

What to expect: Passengers will enjoy "a lavish spread of indulgent scones served with clotted cream and jam, whilst watching the wildlife and landmarks drift by, at a leisurely pace, along the banks of the River Orwell," Lightfoot said.

The cruise will include a book signing opportunity, with Sir Terry's books available for purchase onboard thanks to Red Lion Books.

A commentary on places of interest along the river will be provided during the return journey.

For context: The event serves as a precursor to the Felixstowe Book Festival, which runs from 25 to 29 June.

What's next: Tickets for the Orwell Lady cruise are available at www.orwelllady.co.uk/afternoon-sir-terry-waite/

Tickets for Felixstowe Book Festival can be purchased via www.felixstowebookfestival.co.uk or in person at Felixstowe Library.

The river cruise will depart from Orwell Quay at 14:00 and return by 17:30.

The bottom line: Tickets for the Sir Terry Waite event are "strictly limited" according to organisers, who note "they won't be around for long" based on previous years' popularity.

You can read it for free thanks to the generous support of Ipswich Sports Club and PLMR Genesis

Despite a lack of promotion, the big reveal drew a good crowd of passersby

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