Page 23 - link magazine

Swfrdør Wide 23
The voice of natural history to visit the town in May
As this year's Swindon Festival of Literature programme firms up, festival director Matt Holland has announced that his seven year pursuit to secure
Sir David Attenborough for the event has been successful.
He said, "this is very excit- dren's author Shirley Hughes; new writers, terrific speakers, and a
ing! David Attenborough is a comedienne Jo Brand; Michael larger fol lowing. At every level, it has
national treasure and it will be Parkinson; Radio 4 presenter become a fantastic celebration for
an honour for us to see and James Naughtie; gold medal- Swindon of things well written and
welcome him in Swindon. It has ist and London Olympics guru things well said. It offers experiences
taken more than seven years Lord Sebastian Coe; actress that make life memorable.

trying to find a mutually agree- turned author Sheila Hancock; "People of all ages and back-
able date. We are absolutely popular poet Simon Armitage grounds have a very good time.They
delighted." and Booker Prize winning nov- get together, meet authors, join in
lively talk, explore new ideas, and
Tickets for the festival, which elist Graham Swift.
runs from 4 to 16 May, go on Matt said, "the festival's pro- even have a laugh."

sale from midday on 19 March, Photo: Keith Brust/BBC file and reputation continue to To join the festival mailing list, call
when the official festival pro- grow. It has become a veritable 771080 or e-mail: swindonlitfest@
gramme is launched at the Central McGrath; impressionist, actor and festival of ideas. Each year it attracts Iowershawfarm.co.uk
Library. writer Alistair McGowan; writer
Other authors already booked philosopher Mark Vernon, and Judy
to appear are Swindon-boy made Taylorwith herfascinating talk on the
good Julian Clary; sometime Arse- life and work of Beatrix Potter. S. ing wedding fayres
nal goalkeeper turned television Negotiations are in progress with Come along to these two FREE events
football commentator Bob Wilson; other established authors, perform-
multi-talented actress and author ers, and celebrity writers, such as and visit local wedding suppliers
Maureen Lipman; former Children's formerTony Blair henchman Alastair to discuss your wedding plans.
Laureate and Warhorse author Mi- Campbell; former resident of 10 Sunday 8th February
chael Morpurgo; all-rounder Rory Downing Street, Cheri Blair; chil-
Jel
at Swindon Marriott Hotel
Old Town, Swindon 11 am-3pm
Sculpture copy found Sunday 1st March
at De Vere Hotel
An appeal in the January Link, on behalf of Swindon Mayor Steve Wake-
field for models of The Watchers - the sculpture of three figures and a Shaw Ridge Leisure Park,
dog at Toothill Village Centre - very quickly produced a response from West Swindon 11 am-3pm
Marion Pryor from Stratton St Margaret who called to say she had one For details visit www.wedding-fayre..co.uk
in her garden. or call 01793 840000
"We were only dis-
cussing the statue before
Christmas and wonder-
ing where it came from;
we had no idea of its
history and wondered if it
was something religious" i'S hiir E t L i:i
said Marion. "It was sur-
prise when my daughter
Helen rang after reading
about the appeal in The
Link." stylists wanted!
Mayor Steve was keen
to locate one of the model - We are currently looking to recruit
sculptures donated to dynamic and talented stylists.
the every member of
Thamesdown Council If you would like to join our
in mid-1982 when artist - successful team call 874825.
Carleton Attwood un- Marion and Helen with the Watchers model. Below,
veiled his commission, the original, forlorn and damaged after nearly 29
so that it could be donat- years in situ at Toothill Village Centre
ed to the new Toothill ministrator at Toothill
Primary School when Primary School.
it is officially opened "I knew of Carelton AL
later in the year. Attwood in the 1970s,
Marion explained mainlyfor his sculpture
that her son had dis- of the Golden Lion in
covered the statue, the town centre, and For the latest cut,colour
lost deep under an I've always been fond or re-style call now
overgrown leylandii of what I now know is
for an appointment
hedge. "He had bought The Watchers. .
...
the house in The Lawn "I was interested to - or consultation
from a former coun- hear it's supposed to with a member of our
cillor, the late Len convey afamily.To me, highly skilled team!
Smith and asked me it's about communicat-
if I wanted to keep the ing across genera-
statue. What makes the tions. So I'm happy for tel :874825
story more amazing is it to find a home at the Sh!ZLf ;....!
R N
that Helen is the ad- school." Shaw Village Centre, Shaw, Swindon