Laughter is the Best Weapon

**THIS IS A PAST EVENT**

This is a fascinating memoir by Brigadier Charles Ritchie. He wrote that ‘an army may march on its stomach, but it leans on its funny bone.’ And he should have known. Postings with The Royal Scots to the Yemen, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and other far away trouble spots gave him many opportunities to demonstrate that the ability to laugh – and make others laugh – is an invaluable skill in an officer’s kitbag. His Colonel in Chief, the Princess Royal, wrote the foreword to this engaging memoir, ‘Charles has entertained countless people (myself included) with wonderful anecdotes of his colourful life in the Army. I am therefore delighted that he has finally put these stories together in this book for all to enjoy – and very grateful to him for donating a share of the proceeds to Save the Children.’ Very sadly, Charles died in 2020, but his widow, Araminta Ritchie, will come to the festival to talk about this remarkable man. In conversation with Colin Hogg.