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Festival opens on National Poetry Day

From 1 to 5 October, food, the pleasure of The 2015 festival takes place in a
Poetry Swindon Festival poetry - we are creating variety of venues: Richard Jefferies
travels by rail and canal, a lovely vibe,” said Museum, Swindon Museum and
dances around nine chalk joint organiser Hilda Art Gallery, Museum of Comput-
white horses, looks for Sheehan who said there ing, Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal,
lost verse with the Itiner- are a limited number of Cricklade Railway and Artsite.
ant Poetry Library, and souvenir programmes Arts Council England and Swindon
delves into the world of available which include Artswords have provided funding
Minecraft poetry at the verse donated by this and support.
Museum of Computing. year's participants. The festival launches at Central
Some of the best poets in Britain "I asked poets to give their most Library on Thursday 1 October,
and beyond will be here: Anglo- enjoyable poem for someone who 10am. All are welcome to bring a
American Robert Vas Dias, the doesn’t read poetry, to introduce favourite poem, or a poem they have
inaugural canal poet laureate Jo these poets - it’s another way of written to share with a supportive
Bell, Forward prize-winner Kei connecting with new people.” audience. There will be free tickets
Miller, pop culture-inspired Andy There may be a few of these avail- available to other events as well.
Jackson, poetry art-specialist Pacale able at Swindon Central Library and For details and to book tickets, see
Petit and many more. selected spots - nab one if you are www.poetryswindon.org
“Relaxed events - the pleasure of fortunate enough to spot one.
Stir it up in November

Have you had an amazing idea for local entertainment during which
Swindon and never had the chance you get to chat with other soupers
for it to take off due to lack of and decide which scheme you’d like
funding or support from others? to support.
In this case Swindon SOUP is just During dinner everyone gets to
what you need. vote for the scheme they love the
Whether you are a local resident, most and at the end, all the door
community organisation or a money is given to kickstart that
would-be entrepreneur, SOUP is a project.
perfect opportunity And, by the time
to have your voice you leave, you will
heard, support others know each other
and make a differ- better, have met new
ence. people and discussed
Since SOUP founded new ideas - everyone
in Detroit in 2010 wins.
with the mission to The first ever
promote community Swindon SOUP takes
based development place on Thursday
through crowd funding, creativity, 26 November, hosted by Excalibur
collaboration, democracy and fun Communications at Arclite House in
over $85,000 has been raised. West Swindon.
Positive Media Group and Excali- If you have a project ready to
bur is launching SOUP to celebrate pitch, email: Swindon.Soup@ex-c.
and work together to support co.uk to receive an entry form.
community activities, projects and Or apply online via:
innovative ideas. www.ex-c.co.uk/swindonsoup
Come along and make a suggested To attend the event, follow the
donation of £5, hear up to four pre- same links as above and choose the
selected groups or individuals pitch ‘Guest’ option.
their ideas on how they will make If you would like to be more
their locality a better place. Then involved in organising SOUP, mail:
enjoy a potluck dinner and a little [email protected]
swindonlink.com n October 2015 21