VIRGINIA IRONSIDE – on ageing the right way
and reasons not to join a book club!

What do you like to do when you are not working? What are the advantages of reaching middle age, or even passing it? What activities give real pleasure rather than being yet more things that we are meant to enjoy?

Erstwhile sixties debutante, fashion writer, columnist, and agony aunt, Virginia Ironside reckons that reaching 60 is a time to celebrate, not lament the passing of years. It’s a chance to be free of anxiety or guilt about a daily effort to cram in diversionary activities. This is your one chance to do nothing, and everything, everything that you like!

In her latest novel, No! I do not want to Join a Book Club, Virginia, who, despite her book’s title, loves reading and communicating, reveals the innermost thoughts of a woman delighted to be 60 at last!

The Lady Penelope at Lydiard House with SALLY VARLOW

Lost tales of love and politics in the Court of Queen Elizabeth the First lead to Lydiard Park!

It is 400 years since Penelope Devreux, married against her will at the age of 18, the most celebrated beauty of late 16th century England, muse of countless poets and musicians, and one of the brightest stars ever to shine in a Royal Court, died. And her story has never been told, till now!

In her latest book, author Sally Varlow has discovered new evidence that Penelope was a direct descendant of Henry VIII; her grandmother, the love-child of the king and Mary Boleyn; and uncovers a dramatic, emotional, and ultimately tragic story which will have immediate appeal to lovers of well-written historical biographies.

PS. Lady P was an ancestor of the 17th century owners of Lydiard House!

TOM PAULIN – on the secret life of poems

When do you read poems? How do you read them? Do you always ‘get’ them? What do you do about their ‘intensities and quiet places’? Would you like to access poems more easily? Does poetry work for you?

If you are interested in answers to these questions, you will enjoy this event and the explanations offered by poet, poetry critic, academic, and even television personality Tom Paulin as he talks about his new book The Secret Life of Poems.

And if you are really committed, you can even ask questions about trochees, cretics, molossus, and feet – but even if you do not, you can simply enjoy good talk on great poetry!

ANDREW MOTION – the Poet Laureate presents poems, and looks at poetry in life and education

Presented in association with the Swindon Division of the National Union of Teachers

What part does poetry play in twenty-first century life? What part does it have in formal education? Are poems for everyone?

They are for us tonight.

Andrew Motion will look at the role of poetry, read and talk about his poems, and answer questions.

Appointed as Poet Laureate in May 1999, Andrew Motion is the author of numerous collections of poetry, an autobiography, and countless articles on the place of poetry in life. He has taught poetry at the University of Hull, edited Poetry Review, and runs the Creative Writing MA course at Royal Holloway. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.