DESPITE its small size, Rossiter Books in Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth packs a punch when it comes to arranging talks by authors.

This autumn Sir Tony Robinson, astronaut Chris Hadfield, television chef Rick Stein and motor racing star Johnny Herbert headline a packed and varied programme of events.

Kicking off with a lunchtime book signing in Monmouth on Friday, October 7 Tony Robinson will meet fans and sign copies of his newly published autobiography, No Cunning Plan. The following afternoon, commander of the International Space Station Chris Hadfield will be at the bookshop to sign copies of his books on life on the ISS and his debut children’s book, The Darkest Dark. No tickets are needed for either of these free events.

Rick Stein will give a talk at the Savoy Theatre on Monday, October 10; and on Thursday, October 13 Tim Moore will talk about over-ambitious cycling and his adventure along the 9,000km route of the old Iron Curtain on a two-geared Easter German shopping bike.

Motor racing’s Johnny Herbert will talk about his life and career at the Chase Hotel in Ross on November 1.

Further details and tickets for these events are available from Rossiter Books, The Corn Exchange, Ross-on-Wye (01989 564464) or 5 Church Street, Monmouth (01600 775572), or from rossiterbooks.co.uk.