HORSE training legend Henrietta Knight is to reminisce on 20 years of marriage to former champion jockey and fellow trainer Terry Biddlecombe.

She will speak about her new book, Not Enough Time, at this year’s Wantage (not just) Betjeman Literary Festival.

The week-long event, which runs from Saturday, October 24, to Sunday, November 1, also stars The Life and Loves of a She Devil author Fay Weldon, and former Beirut hostage Terry Waite, among other writers.

Ms Knight’s poignant new book about her life with Mr Biddlecombe is sure to attract horse racing fans to The Beacon, Wantage, on Tuesday, October 27.

Together the West Lockinge couple trained racehorse Best Mate, winner of three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups.

After Mr Biddlecombe’s health deteriorated, Ms Knight retired from training in 2012 to care for him.

He died aged 72 in January 2014 after a long illness.

Former teacher Ms Knight described her two decades with the former National Hunt Champion jockey – known in his heyday as the Blond Bomber – as “the happiest of my life”.

She added: “We adored each other – together we shared triumphs as well as tragedies.

“Despite a somewhat unconventional and wild lifestyle during his days as a champion jockey in the 1960s and 1970s, he never forgot his public and had a great number of admirers.

“I wrote my book as I wanted to record my memories of Terry.

“Due to loving him so much I felt a description of his amazing life should be outlined. It was my gift to him and a token of my thanks to him for sharing 20 wonderful years with me.

“Terry was unique and my world is empty without him – he is always in my thoughts.”

This year’s festival also features former Childrey resident and Wantage school pupil Eleanor Stewart, who will return home on October 31 to describe what made her leave holy orders as a nun to become a mother-of-two.

And sports journalist Martin Johnson will talk about his life as a reporter on October 26.

Programme organiser Dorothy Burrows said: “This year we have something for everyone, from famous and first-time authors to comedy, and sessions that involve food, tea and even perfume.”

* For more information visit wantagebetjeman.com