Swindon Festival of Literature 2010

Cherie Blair is one of the star guests this year

Book-lovers can pit their wits against a razor-sharp cast of literary and media personalities in Swindon this May.

The town's 17th festival of literature takes place over a fortnight from Monday 3 - Sunday 15 May.

It will see appearances by everyone from former Tory minister turned broadcaster Michael Portillo, to the first woman poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.

Radio Four devotees can look forward to seeing as well as hearing the voice of Woman's Hour's Jenni Murray.

And there should be no lack of debate as Cherie Blair, wife of the former occupant of Number 10 and recent headline act at the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq war, pays a visit.

Political sparks could also fly as veteran campaigners Bruce Kent and Peter Tatchell share their thoughts about nuclear weapons, war and human rights.

Discussing political issues will be gay rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell

Also among the great and good at the event will be biographer Michael Holroyd, novelists Lionel Shriver and Barbara Trapido, Russian writer Vitali Vitaliev, funnyman-cum-historian John O'Farrell, the prize-winning poet Daljit Nagra, Radio 4 wit Milton Jones, and mystery crime writer MC Beaton.

As if these were not enough, Swindon culture-lovers can also enjoy the musings of ex-England rugby player Brian Moore, philosopher AC Grayling, Shakespeare expert Stanley Wells with his latest book on love, sex, and The Bard, and the actor and raconteur Maureen Lipman.

Once again, festival events will begin at dawn in Lawn Woods, overlooking Swindon, at 5.30am on Spring Bank Holiday, May 3, where early-birds will gather with spring songs, sunrise stories, high-wire acts, verbal and physical acrobatics, music, and Maypole dancing.

Poetry Slam

Apart from big names, though, there will also be Swindon Performance Poetry Slam competition and the schools' Youth Slam.

Capping it all will be a bookish weekend for children and families, a new philosophical Think Slam, films on Food now and Literature then, storytelling Swerve Dance, readings at main theatres, arts venues, libraries, schools, pubs, parks, and even in what was a cowshed.

The full-colour 32-page festival programme will be unveiled at noon on Thursday, March 18, at the Central Library, Regent Circus.

For more information, visit the official Swindon Festival of Literature 2010 website.