SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: PUNK poet Attila the Stockbroker brings his unusual act to the Swindon fringe festival on Friday.

He will be giving an afternoon performance at the Beehive pub on Prospect Hill.

The performer was never a stockbroker, but as a young man he worked as a translator at the Stock Exchange and was one day dubbed Attila. The name stuck.

The poet says that was the last real job he ever had and he has been earning a living ever since with his poems and songs.

He says his songs are about love, death, Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, flatfish and dirty sleeping bags. And lots more besides.

"My poems reflect my life," he said.

The accordion player and singer songwriter has toured extensively in many parts of the world.

Attila the Stockbroker, supported by Geoff Berner, plays at the Beehive Pub at 3pm on Friday.

What's coming up

TODAY

Survivors' Poetry, words for wellbeing from four award-winning poets at the Old Railway Museum at 12.30pm.

Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis will take you through the Glastonbury Festival Tales at the Old Railway Museum at 7.30pm.

Three Men In A Boat, with Rodney Bewes is at the Arts Centre at 7.30pm. The comic novel has been adapted into a one-man show.

TOMORROW

Former Conservative leader William Hague will give a talk on being a young politician at the Arts Centre at 12.30pm.

Michael Buerk, below, will talk about his autobiography, The Road Taken at the Arts Centre at 6pm.

John Redwood explains what the Tories must do to win back the trust of the British people at 8pm at the Arts Centre.

FRIDAY

Professor and broadcaster Bill McGuire talks about surviving Armageddon, and proposes some solutions for saving the planet at 12.30pm at the Arts Centre

Chinese writer and broadcaster Xinran talks about Sky Burial, her epic novel about Shu Wen's epic 30-year search for her missing husband in Tibet - Arts Centre at 6pm.

Impressionist Alistair McGowan talks about his life and work, and answers questions from the public at the Arts Centre at 8pm.

In association with the Swindon Philosophical Society David Boyle talks about the search for the authentic, in a world of hype and spin, at Swindon Museum and Arts Gallery at 7.30pm.