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Don’t miss out on great speakers at Festival of Literature in May
Tickets for events at the nineteenth Swindon Festival of Literature, 7 to 19 May, are being snapped up by the keenest of festival followers.
Already, one event, the Mindful- djh, John Simpson, Mark Williams, As well as a good sprinkling of three authors have had to cancel
ness Workshop on 11 May, has sold Will Hutton, Melissa Benn, Claudia celebrity authors and hot competi- their scheduled appearances.
out and the popularity and up-take Hammond, Stuart Maconie, John tions, this year’s festival programme Best-selling rom-com novelist
of tickets for Camila Batmanghelli- ‘Boycie’ Challis, and the Swindon bristles with exploratory and infor- Jane Costello has had to pull out
Think Slam! means they may be full mative events. For example, author as result of being called up for
by the time The Link is published. Ian Skelly has spent two years work- jury service; Born Liars author Ian
To avoid disappointment, festival ing with HRH the Prince of Wales, Leslie has been overwhelmed by
organisers urge people to get their below, to produce a book and film family matters; and environmentalist
tickets in good time. on the Prince’s visions. Mark Lynas has been summoned
Entries are also coming in fast for Writer Molly Naylor survived by the president of Korea. Festival
two live competitions, the nationally- the London underground terrorist organisers are hoping to find suit-
popular Swindon Poetry Slam and bombings in 2005 and will present able replacements for all these
the unique Swindon Think Slam. her unusual show, Whenever I Get authors. One is writer and Radio
- the selection of final contestants Blown Up, I Think of You. 4 broadcaster John Summers who
Camila Batmanghellidjh of Kidscape may have to be drawn from a hat. Resonating with Swindon’s rail- will talk on 17 May about the art of
way past on 9 May at the Steam complaining to famous people, and
Museum, historians David Spaven getting a laugh out of it.
and Julian Holland will give a fasci- The festival offers more than 50
Fun is bow-shaped! nating illustrated talk based on their events at venues across the town.
book Mapping the Railways, which Programmes are available at librar-
Experience Black Cat Archery at Roves Farm charts the story of the railways, ies, information and leisure centres,
Everyone from the seasoned archer to the absolute beginner will find from early waggonways, through and www.swindonfestivaloflitera-
something to enjoy at our archery centre. the steam era to today’s diesel and ture.co.uk
➢ Equipment & Tuition Provided electric trains.
➢ Safe Environment And if you want a laugh,
➢ Corporate and group events there’s comedy too, with
➢ Special parties for 7 years and older word-watching funny-man
New Combat sport just arrived Alex Horne at the Arts
from the US. Tried Paintball, Centre and a cutting edge
Air Soft? Now try Archery Tag!
Check out www.Archery-tag.eu Alternative Comedy Club at
For details and to arrange a meet, contact Andrew: An- the Platform.
[email protected] Alas, with timing to make
or call 07809 729260 www.blackcatarchery.com an organiser’s heart sink,
We are at Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Swindon, Wilts., SN6 7QS
Toothill | Big Local
The Toothill Long Poem
to be revealed on 12 May

You are invited to the presentation, performance and premiere of
the 500 line Toothill Long Poem, and the launch of its accompanying
booklet, on Saturday 12 May, 3pm, Toothill Community Centre

Poets at play, taking a break from writing at Lower Shaw Farm
The Toothill Long Poem was commissioned by the Toothill Big Local Committee.
It has been written by Hilda Sheehan, Artswords Assistant, in workshops, on
walks, in talks, and in collaboration with children from Toothill Primary School,
Westlea Primary, Oliver Tomkins Primary, and Greendown/Lydiard Park Academy;
as well as with older people from Toothill Lunch Club.
The poem has been organised and overseen by Swindon Artswords and the Swindon
Festival of Literature. This launch and presentation is part of the festival programme.

21-56 May 12.indd 22 19/04/2012 16:09