THE programme for the ninth Swindon Festival of Literature has been launched with a fanfare of song and reassurance about its future.

There was also a pledge that Baroness Thatcher would be keeping to her agreement to appear at the festival in spite of a recent health scare.

Among the VIPs who gathered at Waterstone's book shop in the Brunel Centre was Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Dorcan), Swindon Council's lead member for education and community.

Local authority funding for the festival was cast into doubt earlier this year because of the town's budget problems.

The crisis, since solved by a decision to raise council tax, came as festival director Matt Holland announced his most ambitious guest list to date.

As well as the former Prime Minister, the festival will feature appearances from celebrities such as former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam, former Ofsted chief Chris Woodhead, and authors ranging from Terry Pratchett to Will Self.

Coun Perkins said at yesterday's launch: "This has been a very difficult year. The pressure on Swindon Council to balance its budget has created a lot of problems in arts and culture and forward planning.

"But I would like to think that public awareness of arts and culture has been raised in Swindon.

"We must now look at long term funding on a three to five year basis, so we don't have this year in and year out squabble for a few pounds.

"This festival can only enhance Swindon's reputation at home and abroad, and I would like to thank Matt."

Mr Holland said he was looking forward to what promised to be the best festival yet. He added that 10,000 copies of the programme would be distributed, and that requests for copies made via the festival website had come from throughout the country as well as overseas. The festival will run from May 1-13. Yesterday's programme launch began with a specially-created song about the festival by members of the Swindon Scratch Choir.

This was followed by a short story about the value of imagination from Inez Aponte, a Bristol-based travelling storyteller.

Mr Holland then presented a prize of two free festival tickets to 13-year-old Commonweal School pupil Greg Harpin, whose design for the official festival bookmark won a competition run by Waterstone's.

Greg, of Goddard Avenue, said his design was partially inspired by one of Swindon's most famous features its roundabouts.

As well as the council the festival is backed by a number of other sponsors, including the Evening Advertiser, Dominic Winter Book Auctions, Holland Handling, Waterstone's, and the University of Bath in Swindon.

www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk

Literary guide

May 1:

Dawn Chorus morning minstrels. Lawn Woods, High Street, Old Town. 5.30am

Poems That Could Save Your Life useful verse. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 1pm £3 (£2)

Terry Pratchett in conversation. Main Hall, University Campus, Marlowe Avenue. 6pm £5 (£4)

May 2:

Sunbathing in the Rain cheerful about depression. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 1pm £3 (£2)

Clive Brain Memorial Lecture given by Professor Steve Jones. Main Hall, Swindon College. 6pm (no charge)

Branching Out nature-inspired writing. Town Council Chambers, Highworth. 7.30pm £5

Matthew Collings on art, then and now. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 8pm £5 (£4)

May 3:

Howard Jacobson in conversation. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 1pm £4 (£3)

International Evening with Will Hutton, Jessica D'Este, Inez Aponte... Town Hall, Regent Circus. 7.30pm £5 (£4)

Thomas Hardy: Village Atheist or Distracted Preacher? Swindon Museum & Art Gallery,

May 4:

Children's Day live authors, lively workshops, bear necessities! Steam Museum, Kemble Drive. 10am to 5pm

Chimney Sweeping through the centuries. Steam Museum, Kemble Drive. 4pm £4 (£3)

Poems and Pints rhyme, rhythm and refreshment. Town Hall, Regent Circus. 8pm £5 (£4)

May 5:

Literary Lunch with Chris Woodhead: Class Wars. De Vere Hotel, Shaw Ridge. 12.30pm £25

Campfire Storytelling stories, round the fire, under the stars. Lower Shaw Farm. 7pm £3 (£2)

May 6:

Storywalk in Ravensroost Woods in glades, among bluebells. Ravensroost Woods, Minety. 2-4pm £3 (£2)

Pulsar Live Mic Poetry read your own, friendly and together. Riffs Bar, Greatfield, Near Purton. 8pm Free

May 7:

Primo Levi a life. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 1pm £4 (£3)

Mo Mowlam with momentum. Wyvern Theatre. 7.30pm £10 (£9)

May 8:

Magnus Mills working writer. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 1pm £4 (£3)

John Humphrys interviewed. Arts Centre, Devizes Road. 7pm £7 (£6)

May 9:

Linda Grant and the Orange Prize. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 1pm £4 (£3)

Steam Locomotives an illustrated talk. Steam Museum, Kemble Drive. 7pm £4 (£3)

Aesop's Fables a talk about wood engraving. Arts Centre, Devizes Road. 6pm Free

Will Self in conversation. Arts Centre, Devizes Road. 8pm £7 (£6)

May 10:

David Lodge on good reading and writing. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 1pm £4 (£3)

Postcolonialism cultural identity. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 7.30pm £3 (£2)

Japanese Film and a lecture, by Keiichi Ogata. Cre8 Studios, Town Hall. 6.30pm £4.50 (£3)

Jenny Eclair & Arthur Smith for a laugh. Arts Centre, Devizes Road. 8pm £8.50 (£7.50)

May 11:

Writing Workshop two days, doing it, together. Lower Shaw Farm. (11 & 12 May) £45

Steam Lines a trip down the slidings of railway verse. Steam Museum and NMRC, Kemble Drive. All Day Free

Sarah Miles actor and writer, in conversation. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 1pm £4 (£3)

Swindon Poetry Slam! performances, points, pints, prizes. Town Hall, Regent Circus. 8pm £5 (£4)

May 12:

Getting Into Print journalism: tips and information. Lower Shaw Farm. 8pm £5 (£4)

May 13:

Lauren Roche an extraordinary life. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. 1pm £4 (£3)

Margaret Thatcher speaks, and answers questions. Wyvern Theatre. 7.30pm £12.50 (£11.50)