Page 28 - link magazine

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JOHNNIE WALKER – from pirate ship to Radio 2 trip – in conversation
with Shirley Ludford
Johnnie Walker
Presented in association with the Link Magazine
Arts Centre, Devizes Road
From pirate radio to Buckingham Palace and an MBE and a broadcaster’s voice Tel 01793 614837
now known to millions, Johnnie Walker has a remarkable story to tell.
6.30pm • 6 May • £6 (£5)
As a young man obsessed with music, Johnnie longed to move his contemporaries
with the kind of beats he found irresistible. Deejaying in local dance halls and pubs
around his childhood home in Solihull gave him a taste for playing his beloved music.
With luck and not a little front, he swung himself a slot on one of the newly-launched
pirate radio stations, and his incredible career began. He even had a spell broadcasting out of Swindon;
well, actually Wootton Bassett. His new autobiography now tells the full and extraordinary story.
Scratch Choir at the Dawn Chorus – see 5th
ANDREW MOTION – the Poet Laureate presents poems, and Andrew Motion
looks at poetry in life and education Arts Centre, Devizes Road
Presented in association with the Swindon Division of the National Union Tel 01793 614837
of Teachers
8pm • 8 May • £7 (£6)
What part does poetry play in twenty-first century life? What part does it
have in formal education? Are poems for everyone?
They are for us tonight.
Andrew Motion will look at the role of poetry, read and talk about his
poems, and answer questions.
Appointed as Poet Laureate in May 1999, Andrew Motion is the author of
numerous collections of poetry, an autobiography,
and countless articles on the place of poetry in life. He has taught poetry at the
University of Hull, edited Poetry Review, and runs the Creative Writing MA course
at Royal Holloway. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Audience at the Round House – see 17th

BARRY DAVIES – on Interesting, Very Interesting, in conversation with Adver Barry Davies
editor Dave King
Swindon Town Football Club
Sportsmen and women have an important job to do but so do those who comment on County Ground
or describe their actions to a huge listening and viewing audience on radio and Tel 01793 466454
television. It’s a tricky job, sounding both relaxed and excited, ordinary but well-informed,
impartial and interesting. Only the best athletes win and only a few commentators succeed 7.30pm • 14 May • £5 (£4)
and become the voice we want to hear on big sporting occasions.
The voice of Barry Davies is one of those. He has guided audiences through some of
the most compelling moments in sport over the past 40 years, including 10 World Cup
football finals, many Match of the Days, 10 Olympic Games, numerous Winter Olympics, and
even the Boat Race. In his new autobiography, he looks back at everything from the Hand of God
to crooked judges and commentary cock-ups. It’s interesting, very interesting, behind the scenes in the
commentators’ box! Festival followers

CHILDREN & FAMILIES DAY – with writing workshops; bookchases; story-walks; bookstart; Children & Families Day
bookstalls; bookish fun; and lots more to do, together!
Lower Shaw Farm
Presented in association with the Lower Shaw Farm Children’s Project Old Shaw Lane
10am – 12noon and 1pm – 3pm CREATIVE KIDS JUNGLE DEN! – for children from 5 – 12 years West Swindon
old, enter a magical jungle world and get creative: writing, drawing, shaping, making! Tel 01793 771080
10am and all day BOOKCHASE in the HAYLOFT! A brand new game for all the family that tests 10am – 4pm • 18 May
more than mere book knowledge. In fact, the less you know, the more you might win! A brilliant, exciting, Entry charge for the day:
and fun experience from the clever minds of Art Meets Matter. £5 adult • £4 child
10am and all day – BOOKSTART STAND with BOOKSTART BEAR! Plus lots more from your Light refreshments
library for children: Rhyme & Time Story Time; information about nursery education, and free Bookstart available, but, if you like,
Packs for babies! bring a picnic!
10.30am and other times. WILLOW DOME WRITING WORKSHOPS. Look, see, hear, and write
with Community Poet Tony Hillier. Make poems, write stories, or even tell jokes! All ages welcome!
11am and other times STORYWALKS around the farm and by the campfire with Andrea, Claire,
Melissa, or Matt, and maybe even Lou Lou the Lamb!
ALSO, on Children & Families Day at Lower Shaw Farm, there will be a TREASURE HUNT,
TALKING with the ANIMALS, READING & WRITING TIME, WORD GAMES,
an USBORNE BOOKS STAND, and maybe even a little bit of PLAY, ROPE Down at Lower Shaw Farm
SWINGING, and GIANT HAMMOCK JUMPING in the BIG BARN! Come, read,
write, think, and have fun!

Swindon Festival of Literature, Lower Shaw Farm, Shaw, Swindon Wiltshire
SN5 5PJ • Tel: 01793 771080
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk
5 – 18 May 2008 See previous page for full diary