New biography of Trimble under discussion at Braid

Two Ballymena writers are to discuss the life and legacy of the Nobel Laureate David Trimble at a special evening at the Braid Theatre.

Author Stephen Walker who has just written a biography of the former First Minister will be in conversation with Ballymena screenwriter Declan Lawn.

The two writers are to appear at a special book launch at the Braid Theatre on Tuesday 14 October. Walker’s new book ‘ David Trimble : Peacemaker ‘ is based on a hundred new interviews and is published by Gill Books.

It has been described by The Irish Times as a ‘ political page turner ‘. The biography written with the cooperation of the Trimble family is Walker’s fifth book. In 2023 he wrote ‘John Hume : The Persuader ‘ which was a best selling account of the life of the former SDLP leader.

Speaking to the Ballymena Guardian, Stephen Walker, who was educated in Ballymena, said he was delighted to be appearing in his home town.

“ Declan Lawn and I did a similar event with my John Hume book in 2023 and we had a wonderful sell out evening with a fantastic audience.

“Coming from Ballymena it is a big thrill to come back to the Braid Theatre which is such a wonderful venue.

“I am looking forward to seeing many friends and familiar faces again.”

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The author added, “ I know there is a big interest in Ballymena in politics and current affairs and book events get good support. We always get great audience questions in Ballymena”.

Stephen Walker and Declan Lawn are both former reporters with BBC Northern Ireland and as investigative journalists worked on the flagship current affairs programme ‘Spotlight’.

Lawn is now a successful screenwriter and is the writer and director of the successful BBC One series ‘ Blue Lights’ which recently won a BAFTA.

From Ballymena, he says he is delighted to be coming back to his home town.

He told the Guardian, “It’s a real pleasure to return to the Braid to discuss this latest book by my old friend Stephen Walker. The last event we did for his biography of John Hume was a great success, so I’m really looking forward to coming back to my home town to talk about this new book on Lord Trimble..”

The award winning screenwriter also suggested that he and Stephen Walker might discuss their time as BBC reporters.

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“We might even tell a few indiscreet yarns from our days working on the BBC’s Spotlight programme together”

Declan grew up in Ballymena and joined BBC Northern Ireland becoming a reporter with Spotlight and Panorama.

He left journalism to become a screenwriter and worked on Blue Lights, The Salisbury Poisonings and the Netflix film Rogue Agent.

Tickets for the event on Tuesday 14 October are available at www.shapedbyseaandstone.com

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Stephen Walker is also appearing at the Old Courthouse Theatre in Antrim on Thursday 30 October where he will be chatting to the journalist Mark Devenport. Tickets are available from Stephenwalker.uk

He is also appearing with Lady Trimble, the widow of Lord Trimble, at the Magheramorne Estate near Larne on Thursday 6 November for a special evening of conversation and political insight. Tickets are available from Magheramorne Estate.