This year's Swindon Festival of Literature has a veritable plethora of events lined up for poets, would be poets and fans of poetry.

The first poetry event in the fesival includes performances from prize winners of the prestigious The Battered Moons Poetry Competition which includes local BlueGate poet John Richardson and David Lukens from Wootton Bassett who received a commendation.

All seven of the prize-winners read their poems and judges Michael Symmons Roberts and Cristina Newton, also come to the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery in Old Town on May 11 at 7.30pm.

Other festival poetic offerings are:

SWINDON OPEN MIC

becomes part of the Swindon Festival of Literature this month on Thursday 10th May from 7pm at the Central Library, Regent Circus. As usual, we welcome to Open Mic poets, storytellers and musicians. In the second half of the evening, guest poet Jane Weir will talk and read from her two books Walking the Block and Spine. Music will be provided by singer-songwriter Dave Oakes. Wine, soft drinks and sweeties are available to enjoy with words, wisdom and warmth!

MUM'S THE WORD

are gathering at 8pm on Thursday May 10 to launch their new magazine at The Studio, Arts Centre, Devizes Road at 8pm. Tickets are £2. 01793 614837

THE Toothill LONG POEM

will be launched, presented, and performed by the children who wrote it! Led by local writer and poet Hilda Sheehan at 3pm on May 12 at Toothill Community Centre.

SWINDON POETRY SUNDAY

all day 10am – 10pm on May 13 at Central Library, Regent Circus. This is a great opportunity for writers to meet the Templar Poetry publisher, Alex McMillen and some of the poets on the list. They will be running workshops and performing readings with BlueGate poets, Reading poets, Bath poets and Swindon poets. Day tickets plus workshops £20. 01793 466454.

HIDDEN PATHS

with Katherine T Owen, John Richardson and Stevie Gilmore is on Monday May 14 at The Studio, Arts Centre, Devizes Road from 7pm. Tickets are £5 01793 614837

BLOG STANDARD

a look at live blogging with Marcus Moore and Hilda Sheehan is on Wednesday May 16 at The Studio, Arts Centre, Devizes Road, at 7.30pm. £5. 01793 614837

DOMESTIC CHERRY

launch and Vintage Tea Party with Rosa Bloom's collections and the incredible poet Jo Bell!!! on Friday May 18 at Lower Shaw Farm, West Swindon from 6pm. £10 01793 466454.