Page 33 - link magazine

Swindon Wide 29

Another phenomenal festival The church
in the park
This year's Swindon Festival of Literature surpassed all expectations, writes festival director Matt Holland. Not
only did it not rain at the Dawn Chorus, but the sun shone, as it did, figuratively-speaking, throughout the rest is crumbling
of the festival fortnight. Golden Cavalier ff
Between the 4th and 16th of May, Highlights were many but par- the Town Hall, with poets, jugglers, calls for help:
more than 5,000 people took part ticularly memorable, at least to this and dancers. Sold out and full to 'St Mary's Church '
in over 50 events in and around organiser. were a couple of days bursting, this was a fitting finale to next to Lydiard
Swindon, a quarter of which were part way through the festival. a fabulous fortnight. House gives
sold out. When Irish novelist Josephine There's no question: Swindon's the park a special character, but
Most events took place indoors, at Hart, author of Damage, graced the got culture. it urgently needs restoration.
the Arts Centre, Wyvern The- stage at the Arts Centre, she took Plans are already being made for Join me on Monday 6 July for
atre, four libraries, three pubs. and our breath away. In a serious, elo- the nextfestival:3-15 May2010. For a charity curry at the Bombay
outdoors under the sun and stars quent, and highly-informative talk further details, to suggest authors, Lounge Restaurant at Peatmoor
at Lower Shaw Farm. on four books, writing, and life, she or to go on the mailing list, mail: to give the building a fighting
But this year, the swindonlitfest@lowershawfarm. chance. Call 887799 and book
festival also went to co.uk a table for yourself, family and
newvenues.Thewon- Photos: Ben Cavanna friends. Don't leave it too late.'
derful Great Western
4-16
Hall at the STEAM May
Museum was chosen 2009
as the perfect venue
for the appearance of
national natural his-
tory treasure Sir David 13 Rodbourne Rd, Swindon Tel: 01793 490947
Attenborough. New thinker
speakers
events also took place
noreii.t,
at the National Trust's poets JULY OFFER
Heelis headquarters storytellers
performances
and the Prospect talks • readings Free practice Prom
Hospice. workshops put-up with every
discussions
And at the heart
of this year's festival, c . advance Prom booking
there was an exciting (with deposit paid)
ongoing exhibition of photographs established her appearance as one
by Ben Cavanna, which included of the festival's highspots. Here were
Late night opening
a selection of author pics from words charged with meaning that SIch'arzkopf
on Thursdays
previous years but also had blank went to the very heart of Literature
frames to be filled with pictures from and its role in life. In the evening,
this year. Every day, festival follow- poet Simon Armitage took us further
ers would come into the Arts Centre down the same road, with delightful
keen to discover what picture had diversions along the way.
filled the day's blank. And every new Next day, journalist Nick Davies
picture told a story. mixed it with the press and media
The festival proper began with big and told how often the facts are
bubbles, big poems. and big juggles not allowed to get in the way of a
under the Big Screen as a warm up good story, and why. This was an
for the BBC Radiol Big Weekend. unwritten code-breaking dog eat
in Swindon; and in the evening, at dog session, but the people loved
the Wyvern Theatre, Julian Clary it! As they did at a sell-out event
warmed up people's extreme parts for the delightful Colin Dexter in the
in the way that only he can. evening. His use of English, irony,
Alistair McGowan. in conversation ti ming, and wit made this man of
more than Morse another festival
highlight. He was followed by festival
virgin Jake Chapman, who was keen
to do in fiction and writing what he
has done in sculpture and art, make
a meaningful disturbance.
The penultimate day brought the
ultimate big nameto town, Sir David
Attenborough, forwhom tickets had
sold out in one afternoon, graced
the specially-constructed stage at
STEAM's Great Western Hall. What
For financial support, the Festival
is grateful to Arts Council England, a night it was, with not only Swindo-
South West, Dominic WinterBookAuc- nians but fans from all over the UK
tions, Swindon Borough Council, the and as far away as Edinburgh cheer-
Adult Community & Family Learning ing, clapping, and camera-flashing
Project. the Biotechnology & Biologi- as if they were at a rock concert.
cal Sciences Research Council. and Meanwhile, across town. also sold
Holland Handling. For unstinting sup- out, psychologist Oliver James was
port in many other ways, the Festival explaining why bad health can come
thanks The Link, Swindon Advertiser, from too much wealth.
Swindon Web, Acorn Press, plus many
other local terrific organisations and The curtain was brought down
individuals. on the final day of the festival at