Matt HollandSWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: SWINDON'S Festival of Literature ended on a high with the Swindon Slam and Quick Quip Quiz.

A candlelit Town Hall in Regent Circus was the setting for the competition, which saw 12 poets competing for the prestigious slam trophy.

And as they read their work on stage, people in the audience took part in a literary and general knowledge quiz.

The poets competing in the slam were each called up on stage to perform for three minutes.

Roars of applause from the audience filled the hall and then judges had to decide which budding poet had inspired them the most.

Matt Holland, festival organiser, says it has been a fantastic 15 days.

He said: "Forget flashing lights and crazy loud music. All you need to enjoy the Swindon Festival of Literature is an ability to listen and think.

"For the last 15 days people in Swindon have been coming together to do this."

Now in its 12th year, the festival attracts top names including TV celebrities, famous authors and high-profile politicians.

High up in Lawn Woods, overlooking Swindon the festival got off to a great start on May Day as people celebrated the Dawn Chorus.

Poets, singers and musicians performed to 300 people as the sun rose over the town.

Mr Holland said: "This has to be one of the highlights.

"A giant orange orb rose over Queen's Drive down in the valley below.

"It was the most glorious dawn chorus in our 12 years."

Of the 60 events, Julian Clary's appearance attracted the largest audience.

Over 600 people packed into the Wyvern Theatre to listen to him in conversation with BBC Radio Swindon presenter Peter Heaton-Jones.

But it was Twelfth Night, performed by Swindon Young Actors, which has been one of the most impressive events.

The play, updated and set in the hedonistic 80s drew in a crowd of more than 350.

Mr Holland said: "Out of 60 events at a national literature festival, with many famous performers, it is a fantastic accolade to the Swindon Young Actors and to the followers of the festival that this attracted the second largest audience."

He added: "The future is bright for Swindon, and the future is its young people."

The festival also showcased events by unknown speakers and performers.

Mr Holland said: "These were wonderful. Fantastic stories were told by people who were not on the tip of anyone's tongue."

The festival has been creating a lot of interest over recent years.

But Mr Holland is surprised at the range of people who continue to come to the events.

He said: "We're in the top five festivals in the country and I am absolutely delighted."

One woman was so spellbound by the festival that she grabbed Mr Holland by the shoulders, kissed him, and said: 'This is wonderful, please keep it going."

Mr Holland said: "For me one of the best things has been standing back and watching people's faces. It's a fantastic feeling.

"I'd like to think people are already queuing to take part in next year's festival."

Lyndsay Scanlan