Page 20 - link magazine

20
Swirke Wide
Lit Fest plans for 2004
Following last May's splendid and successful tenth festival, plans are now well underway for the eleventh Swindon Festival of Literature, 1 -15
May 2004.
Nationally-known authors and to write home about. range of literary talks, perform- each year as it plays host to bigger
speakers already booked to ap- During its15 days. the festival, ances, discussions, and readings names and attracts a larger follow-
pear include political diarist Tony described by Mo Mowlam as the at theatres, arts venues, libraries, ing. At every level, it has become a
Benn. broadcaster diarist Joan best-organised in the country, will schools, pubs, parks, and even fantastic celebration for Swindon
Bakewell, dreadlocked poet include the sixth Clive Brain Me- woodlands in and around Swin- of things well written and things
Benjamin Zephaniah. eminent edu- morial Lecture. the now nationally- don. well said - something between a
cationist and legal mind Helena famous Swindon Performance Festival frolics will start high on cultural communion and a literary
Kennedy, prize-winning children's Poetry Slam competition. a chil- a ridge in Lawn Woods at 5.30am frolic. People have a great time,
writer and author of Mrs Doubtfire dren's weekend, an evening of on Saturday 1 May with the ever- get together, meet authors, join in
Anne Fine. author-comic Sean campfire storytelling, and a wide popular Dawn Chorus, where good talk, and make discoveries. It
Hughes. professorial man of let- earlybirds gather for a spring car- is very exciting."
ters Terry Eagleton, and writer : nival of poetry, song. storytelling. The full festival programme will
and international television per- and dance, plus a good deal of be published in March. To receive
sonality Clive James. , mayday morning mischief. early notice through the festival
Also signed up is Mark Haddon Festival director Matt Holland mailing list, call 771080 or mail:
whose new book The Curious said, "the festival's profile grows [email protected]
Incident of the Dog in the.
Nighttime is set in Swindon and
is nominated for the Whitbread Extra performance for successful show
prize for childrens books.
Due to popular demand Me Memba Wen (I Remember When) returns
Negotiations are also under-
for a repeat performance at the Arts Centre on Saturday 13 December,
way with novelists Melvyn Bragg,
7.30pm.
Jeanette Winterson. Martin
The evening of evocative song and drama is presented by members
Amin, and To Parsons. and -
of Swindon's Black community, recalling some of their memories of
broadcasting personalities foot- -
arriving in the town from far away.
bailer Bob Wilson. comic Sandi
Toksvig, gardening guru Alan
Titchmarsh. and former chart '-^ s Pre-Christmas hands across the ocean
topping crooner and Radio 2 '-r;;
DJ Jimmy Young. `'f Swindon Ocotal Link holds its annual general meeting on 12 December.
Of course, in true Swindon k 7.30pm at the Even Swindon Community Centre, Jennings Street.
followed by a buffet and entertainment.
Festival of Literature tradition, , ! y
it will not just be famous names Tony Benn - to give his unique This will be a chance to meet some of the group who have spent three
that make this an annual event insight into po/itics weeks in Swindon's Nicaraguan twin town Ocotal at the end of Novem-
her and discover the work being done to strengthen the links
There is no charge but organisers would like to know who might be
attending for catering arrangement purposes. Call 495073 and leave a
message or mail: [email protected]
CONSERVATORIES
WINDOWS & DOORS Nicaraguan calls for a cut back in tea drinking
A doctor from Ocotal is keen that English people cut down on tea and
UPVC FASCIA & drink more coffee which her country depends on.
INSTALLATIONS GUTTERING LeonorGallardovisitedthetown main crop is coffee. which is defi-
for a town linking conference in nitely the best in the world. Please
October as a member of Swindon drink more."
Ocotal Link and Her visit also
spent a day at broke several pre-
Sparcells Sur- conceptions. She
gery with Dr said, "we have this
Kandy Kandiah. idea that the Brit-
She also visited ish are cool and re-
the Great West- served but this is
ern Hospital, met not so. Everybody
the Mayor in his I have met has
parlour and took been friendly and
in the tourist at- kind, and want to
tractions closeby. help us. The Brit-
"We are always ish are very toler-
told that the Brit- ant and accept the
ish like their tea," differences be-
Make your dream a reality said Leonor. tween people; I like
"N i c a rag u a' s Leonor Gallardo with Dr Kandiah it a lot here."

FENSA Free 3D dimension drawing Cultural exchanges
REGISTERED ` OMPANY • References available on request The Russian Connexion brings together people of any nationality
10 YEAR interested in Russian language and culture. Call 337113 or 491003 or
GUARANTEE • Free survey and quotations 638210 for details about meetings.

Tel/Fax 01793 331551 Deutscherfreundeskreis. Schau doch einfach mal vorbei um nette
Leute kennenzulernen, zu quatschen and zu kloenen, deutsche
Mobile 07775 621764 Mobile 07799 284998 Traditionen and Feste zu feiern and Ideen auszutauschen. Wir freuen
uns immer ueber neue Gesichter! Tel: 539808 or 337113