Page 28 - link magazine

28
Swindon Wide
Ideas abound at fourteenth Festival of Literature

Melissa McBride looks back on two weeks of wonderful words, ideas, interaction and fun
The fourteenth Festival of Litera- Of course, this is no highlights of the festival?
ture in Swindon was sounded in mere coincidence, as There were as many as
with the resonant conch-like wail of festival director, Matt there were attendees,
Jake the Juggler on the watering Holland, spends months apparent by the air of
can, followed by the inviting tones finding speakers and excitement that perme-
of Danny Sturgeon on the bag- scheduling them within ated the fourteen days.
pipes. the two week period in Ideas were put forth
Despite the unrelenting stormy which the festival takes and audience response
weather, participants, presenters, place in a way which will was tangible. For two
radio personalities and friends prove interesting and weeks Swindon buzzed,
watched, listened, captivated. stimulating for audi- Festival! Literature!
The remainder of the rainy Mon- ences. Ideas! Art! Discussion!
day unfolded as smoothly as the In the same day that Contemplation!
wet early hours. At midday at Sue Clifford, of Common From climate change
Barbury Castle, the Wild Man of Ground, spoke of Eng- to read dating, Howard
the Woods told tales of an England land in Particular and the Marks to Shakespeare,
of old and the value of preserving need to bring local iden- the Swindon Festival of
our green spaces. In the evening, tity back to our commu- Literature passed its
continuing on the green theme, Dr nities, Rosie Boycott told year fourteen mark with
Patrick Harding was a delight at tales of slowing down her all the pleasure a teen-
Lydiard House. Presenting the city life for rural healing Festival director Matt Holland with festival star turn ager has at being one
Glory of the Garden, regaling us and making a go at farm- George Alagiah year older.
with poetry and quotes from the ing on a smallholding. song of poetry and pain, of life The festival ended on a sunny
Bible to Swindon’s own community Roger Mavity, co-author of ‘Life’s exiled from his home in Iraq by the weekend at Lydiard Park and Lower
poet Tony Hillier, coupled with an a Pitch,’ stressing the importance tyrannical Ba’ath regime, Royal Shaw Farm, with children, parents
old-fashioned slide show the likes of one’s personal presentation and Navy helicopter pilot Lt Com- and carers chirruping with delight
of which would challenge anything one’s interpersonal relations in the mander James Newton explained at the stories and activities on of-
from Power Point. business of getting ahead, segued the difficulties of flying in arduous fer.
In retrospect, it is infinitely inter- smoothly into the next event, an circumstances in the second Gulf And on Sunday evening 20 May,
esting to look at each event and interview with Michelle Dewberry, war, followed by former Prime Min- at the Arts Centre, the low, mono-
see how they fit with each other on success story extraordinaire, a ister Sir John Major who played a tone, almost mournful, definitely
each day, how various themes were woman who understands what it straight bat about his book on the poignant, blowing of the watering
interwoven and similar ideas means to get ahead. origins of cricket. can signalled the last. Until next
popped up in convenient places. As Nabeel Yasin was singing his One always asks, what were the year.

Calling all businesses

large or small Classical Bowl

THE NEWEST AND MOST EXCITING CONCEPT
IN LOYALTY CARD BASED ADVERTISING
HAS ARRIVED IN SWINDON
Would you like:
• To advertise locally and nationally FREE
• Have FREE loyalty cards to sell to your
customers
• Earn money from selling these cards
• Increase your customer database as more
people buy these cards and view your offers
The Bowl, Old Town Gardens
Don’t delay, join now before your opposition does,
and secure your place. Saturday 7th July (Gates open 6pm)
Remember how ebay started? A magnificent musical extravaganza from
VACANCIES The City of London Sinfonia, perfect for an alfresco
For your FREE Powerpoint presentation mail:
Sales manager summer evening under the starlit skies with a firework finale.
[email protected] & sales staff Conductor Dominic Wheeler & Mezzo-Soprano Yvonne Howard
or call 07811 323929 needed urgently
Tickets from 01793 530328
Call 07811
323929 or 01793 614837
www.bowlconcerts.co.uk

21 July 07 28 15/6/07, 10:39 am