Page 23 - link magazine

Swindon Wide 23

A good read comes to Swindon ( Do Tou have
In August 2007, The Link was the first media to report the coming of
-_a
Commonhead, an exciting new reading and writing venture for Swindon, Thee an Go[d2
writes Alexandra Martin. call
Two local writers. Hilda
Sheehan and myself, togeth- The Mach Hatter If you have, then
er with Swindon Council Lit- you have cash!
erature Development worker in Haydon Wick
Matt Holland, announced that to see a large selection 9- 14- 18-or 22 carat
we planned to publish a new = Best Prices Paid
book of writing and illustration of hats to hire or buy We buy scrap Gold, any
that would be 'a good read Call (01793) 704005 amount any condition.
from Swindon.' Contact Barry on
In subsequent weeks we or 07710 298790 07798 - 682198
were inundated with con- Make a personal appointment Turn that unwanted
tributions of poetry. prose, to find just the right hatforyo:r Gold into Cash
cartoons, puzzles, opinions, www.hirehats.co.uk
philosophy and photographs.
Submissions came from
established writers and new Alexandra Martin, promotes Commonhead
at the Festival of Literature
talent, mainly from the Swin-
don area, but some from as far afield striking cover image is a specially
as Australia. commissioned work by local artist Summer Ball
Commonheadtook shape during Gordon Dickinson. It was printed by Friday 1 5th August 2008
the winter, thanks in no small part Acorn Press in Westlea.
Join us for our annual Summer Ball in the Wilton Suite, for an
to sponsorship from Swindon Coun- Commonhead was launched
evening of dining and dancing with our live band Pop Of Ages,
cil's Artswords project. Swindon on 5 May on the opening day of a superb dynamic party trio who will perform everything from
Festival of Literature and Dominic the fifteenth Swindon Festival of classic pop from the 60's right up to the present day, and
Winter Book Auctions. Literature, toasted with champagne guarantee to keep you on the dance floor all night!
In January 2008 the editors in the pouring rain at 5.30am at the This evening includes a delicious 3 course dinner, with arrival
started the tricky task of selecting Dawn Chorus. Later in the day many 7.30pm, dinner at 8.00pm, dancing until late.
the writers and illustrators whose of the writers and avid readers saw The Summer Ball is a formal Black Tie event.
work would be published. It was not the new volume unveiled at Swindon
easy. The quality of work submitted Arts Centre.
was very high and there was lots of Since then copies have been sell-
li vely debate about which pieces to ing well. If you would like your own DEVERE
venues
include. Above all, it was important `good read from Swindon'. Com-
to make sure there was a balanced monhead is available from the four
selection, in order to make Com- main libraries, the Tourist Informa-
monhead a good read for as many ti on Centre, Swindon Arts Centre,
people as possible. or from Borders and Waterstones
Commonhead is in every respect bookstores, priced at £4.99.
a Swindon publication. Not only is To find out more, contact the edi-
most of the writing by local people. tors at: commonhead @ hotmail.com
but Purton designers Pink Handbag or write to: PO Box 3291. Swindon
undertook the book's layout and the SN2 9EB.

ome and relax, dance the night away
Swindon Arts Centre
r d soak up the sounds of some of the best
11 to 13 July live outdoor music over the summer.
A great bar and food service will be available at
Avenging hit men, traumatised The festival marks out Swindon
teens, post apocalyptic mayhem as phantastic, said Justin. "The all events or you are welcome to bring your own.
and stunning martial arts are just UK doesn't really have an action
some of the elements of a film orientated movie festival: sci-fi and Trans-Global Underground / Saturday 12 July, 6pm
festival that offers something quite horror is overlooked and unfairly Achanak / Saturday 26 July, 7.1 5pm
different for Swindon. dismissed by critics. We're giving
Festival programmer Justin upcoming filmmakers their chance Merengada / Saturday 9 August, 6pm
Richards said, "PhantasmaGoria to screen their movies on the big Chumbawamba / Saturday 6 September, 6pm
has something for all film fans, screen before a live audience rath-
especially those with a passion for er than via DVD or YouTube To book tickets call the box office on 01793 614837
horror, fantasy and sci-fi movies. The fesitval will screen 12 fea- or530328
"We'll be kicking off with'Infesta- tures and 12 shorts and many of www.bowlconcerts.co.uk
tion' which has all these elements. the filmmakers will introduce their
It's a sci-fi horror crossover, which fil ms and answer questions after- Tickets L I I in advance, £13 on the day,
demonstrates how low budget films wards.There will also be film work- Swindon Card £9 in advance, L II on the day
can rise above all expectations. It shops and merchandise stalls. Family tickets available
proves that British cinema doesn't Tickets are available from Swin-
have to be all about corsets or don Arts Centre on 614837.
'Notting Hill' style rom-coms. www.phantasma-goria.co.uk
Win a weekend pass for PhantasmaGoria worth £30
at www.swindonlink.com HOME