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Graham
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THE LINK MAGAZINE'S GUIDE TO WHAT'S ON IN AND AROUND SWINDON

Poetry on the move heads for record book 151 HIGH STREET
WOOTTON BASSETT
Swindon's annual May Festival of
Literature kicked off in late
Novemberwhen thirty children from
West Swindon's primary schools
joined year 7 students from
Greendown in a day of poetrywriting Party Box
around the area. The One Sto
Working with champion
performance poet Marcus Moore, Party Shop
the youngsters visited Lydiard • Novelties & Gifts
House, the Renault building and
• Fancy dress access
the Chinese Experience to gather
n Balloons & balloon
inspiration forthe beginnings of what
decoration service
they expect to be a very long poem. • Helium gas kits
By the time the Festival is
\` )\( A wide range for
launched on 1 May, the organisers
weddings, birthdays,
hope the children will have Children from Brook Field, Westlea, Salt Way, Freshbrook, Toothill, Christenings and parties
composed 1,998 lines of verse to OliverTomkins, Shaw RidgeprimaryschiolsandGreendownCommunity
win a place in the Guiness Book of School with poetry project coordinators Cristina Bennett, Richard Jackson, 13 Apsley House Arcade
Records for the longest poem ever head of Toothill School, and performance poet Marcus Moore High Street, Wootton Bassett
composed by school children. Tel/fax: 01793 853976
Project organiser Greendown of expressing themselves."
English teacher Cristina Bennett Festival of Literature director Matt Big names booked
said the trip around West Swindon Holland added that the children The first speakers for the Festival of
was a mystery tourto find the magic would perform their work at the Literature have been booked
in words. "I want the children to be Festival. "It's a fantastic initiative. including writers Bel Mooney and
inspired by their surroundings, to Not only is poetry being created out Germaine Greer, Radio4presenter
take their ideas home, to involve of everyday situations, the children satirist Paul Foot who will be Tanwood
Libbey Purves and Private Eye
their parents and brothers and know they will be performing their
sisters, and to discover new ways words in May." speaking at Lydiard House. Established 1944
rte-------- ---------,
An action plan to save the
town's historic, but now A&
' -: -
derelict, Mechanics' Institute
has been launched and your
help is needed.
46 - 48 Bath Road
A £3 million Heritage Lottery bid
has been submitted; a decision is Old Town
expected in mid-1998. Before then
a big awareness and fundraising Our highly
push has been launched under successful
the slogan: 'Get the Mechanics.'
The organisers are appealing School of Dance
to all of Swindon's people to take
a stake in the Mechanics which has the pleasure of
they want to turn into a cultural
and communitycentreforthetown. I want to support the New Mechanics' Institution announcing that
They need to raise £860,000 from
Preservation Trust Limited (Fegislered Charity No 1048961)
local sources, but all they are singing and drama
asking from you is £1 (or more). Name: .......................................................................................................................
You can join in this effort to put Address:....................................................................................................................... classes will be
life back into an important part of
.........I ........................ Postcode:......... ............................... Tel:..................................
Swindon's history by using the offered from
form printed on the right. I enclose: £5 for membership and newsletter subscription
The 1,600 Founder Members £1 for membership only. ! A donation of £ ..................... January 1998
who have paid £1 during the last I would be willing to work as a voluntary fundraiser
Make cheques payable to 'The New Mechanics Institution Preservation Trust Limited'
two years are also being asked to For details of places,
and send to: Suite 17, Newburn Centre, Newburn Crescent, Swindon SN1 SES.
make a further donation. please call (01793) 523895
Tel/fax/ans: (0 1793) 520592 I
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