Page 22 - link magazine

22
Swindon Wide

Do you need a hat but GRAHAM The best fest yet
don't want to BUY one? McCALLION Swindon Festival of Literature organiser Matt Holland
Then toll looks back at the first two weeks in May.
Authors who came to this year's
Festival of Literature said memo-
Contemporary Lifestyle rable things not only about their
The Mad natter tyl PA Photography • books, but also about their visit to
4a^ - Portraits
Swindon.
In Haydon Wick Weddings William Hague emphatically de-
Events
(01793) 704005 or BtPP' clared, 'This is a five star festival,'
An established studio while Clare Short, sitting down to
07710 298790
to see the large selection of with an unrivalled reputation soup and salad at Lower Shaw
Farm, exclaimed 'I do like it here!'
Hats to HIRE!
Mischievous and outspoken his-
Make a personal appointment torian David Starkey suggested the
to find just the right hat for you The Barn 116 High Street, Blunsdon festival might be a successful form
of monarchy, while natty news-
caster Jon Snow described it as
`truly remarkable for Swindon.'
Philosopher Roger Scruton and
Glastonbury guru Michael Eavis
sang the praises of the festival's
newest venue, the Old Railway
Museum, while Baroness Helena
Kennedy said that for the last four
years, during which time she had Changing ,oeop/e's lives through
been unable to get to the festival, better food Jeanette Orrey. the
her fellow authors have been tell- school dinner lady who inspired
ing her 'You must go to Swindon!' Jamie 0/fiver
Add to this the many expres-
sions of appreciation and delight Max Hastings, in smart cordu-
from members of the enthusiastic roys, used old and long words like
audiences, and you can see why diminution, derring do. and be-
its organisers reckon this may have wailed; while, in a phenomenal per-
been the most successful Festival formance of Twelfth Night and a
of Literature yet. fantastic first Youth Poetry Slam,
It all began on Sunday 1 May the young people of Swindon
with a glorious dawn chorus, en- proved that the future's bright. But
joyed by 300 of the festival's keen- maybe only if they take the dietary
est followers, who gathered at
advice of ex-dinner lady Jeanette
Spring i i 5.30am on that high ridge in Lawn Orrey.
Best-selling Chinese author
Woods. There we were, in the
morning mist, with singers, poets, Xinran stilled the mind and lifted
the heart with a reading in her
Summer jugglers, maypole, on-site break- mother tongue and Simon Barnes
fasts, and a bare-breasted centaur,
reminded us all that `the more we
serenaded by birdsong and watch-
ing the sun rise over Queen's Drive. know, the more we wow!'
During thefollowing 14days. talks. Once again the festival proved
workshops and performances were that literature instructs as it de-
at all so good that it is hard to pick out lights. Wow!
any single one as a highlight. But
Stall holders wanted to
plenty were memorable.
For example, Fergal Keane sur-
f prised many when he focussed on support Climb Day,
j( the private challenge of alcohol- Sunday 3 July
HAIR & BEAUTY- ism in the family. in Haydon Wick
Poet John Agard gave a lively - at the beginning of
Metabolic Disease Week.
BEAUTY =3AIR and inspiring performance to teach-
BEAUTY
ers, while Carl Honore urged us all For details contact Janet Garrett on
• Manicures & Pedicures ® Cuts to join the slow-down movement 07966 129 533 or mail:
• Nail Extensions • Colour before saying that he had to dash. [email protected]
F
Waxing • Colour Corrections
Facials • Perms
Flit along to Town Gardens
Make overs • Extensions
An evening of glitz and glamour at the Butterfly Ball
(Bridal/Proms/Parties/ etc
Saturday 11 June, 4pm to 10.30pm, in the Concert Bowl
Any Special Occasions) to raise money for the 'Nature for all' fund and raise awareness of
local nature reserves and green spaces.
West Swindon Centre
Performing: renowned DJ's K Klass and local dance DJ's. as well as
Tel.: 01793 870462 interactive arts, light show, kids' zone, bar and organic refreshments.
Tickets in advance: adult £10: concession and under 14's £8, from
Swindon Tourist Information Centre, tel: 530328
and the Arts Centre, Devizes Road, tel: 466565