The Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon hits stage in Bungay

Bungay’s Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon gets under way at the town's historic Fisher Theatre. Picture: Lucy Taylor (Image: Lucy Taylor) Over the next four weeks, all seven Harry Potter novels are being read out loud at the Fisher Theatre in Bungay - not far away from where the first editions of the J K Rowling best sellers were printed.

Bungay’s Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon gets under way at the town's historic Fisher Theatre. Picture: Lucy Taylor (Image: Lucy Taylor) With 3407 pages, covering 1,100,086 words, set to be read out, Bungay’s Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon launched in style on Monday (October 28).

Bungay’s Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon gets under way at the town's historic Fisher Theatre. Picture: Lucy Taylor (Image: Lucy Taylor) Between now and November 23 reading will take place over 240 half-hour slots for five hours a day, six days a week.

Town Reeve, Terry Reeve, as Bungay’s Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon gets under way at the town's historic Fisher Theatre. Picture: Lucy Taylor (Image: Lucy Taylor) Supporting the town’s historic Fisher Theatre, The Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon was the brainchild of Terry Reeve, Town Reeve of Bungay, who said at the launch the aim is to raise £10,000 with the readathon.

Bungay’s Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon gets under way at the town's historic Fisher Theatre. Picture: Lucy Taylor (Image: Lucy Taylor) As Harry Potter leapt from the pages to launch the epic reading marathon, before reading the opening pages of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Mr Reeve added: "And if all goes well, by the time 3pm on November 23 comes along, the final words of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be read, and the book closed on this project which was conceived back in January - and people of all ages will have played their part – over 70 readers in all."

Bungay’s Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon gets under way at the town's historic Fisher Theatre. Picture: Lucy Taylor (Image: Lucy Taylor) Among those taking part are former Bungay Town Reeves, former Bungay Town Mayors, the chairman of East Suffolk Council Anthony Speca, several children and a veteran of the long-running radio soap, The Archers, Brian Hewlett, who has played the role of Neil Carter for 50 years.

The Town Reeve of Bungay, Terry Reeve, launches Bungay’s Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon as it gets under way at the town's historic Fisher Theatre. Picture: Lucy Taylor (Image: Lucy Taylor) The readathon has also received good wishes from some prominent people - including Stephen Fry, who featured in the Harry Potter films, and also reads the audio version of the books, along with Loose Women star Janet Street-Porter, and "a lovely letter" from Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales.

Bungay’s Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon gets under way at the town's historic Fisher Theatre. Picture: Lucy Taylor (Image: Lucy Taylor) Bungay’s Great Harry Potter Reading Marathon gets under way at the town's historic Fisher Theatre. Picture: Lucy Taylor (Image: Lucy Taylor)