Literature comes to Oxford (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Literature comes to Oxford

VISITORS to the ninth Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival which runs from Sunday, April 10 to Sunday, April 17, offers a feast of literary talent at events taking place in various venues around the historic city.

John Mortimer launches the Great Oxford Read in celebration of Penguin's 70th anniversary, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams and his wife, Jane, discuss good children's literature, Melvyn Bragg and Anne Widdecombe speak at the Festival dinner held in the magnificent Tudor dining hall at Christ Church College and Jenny Uglow talks about her latest book, A Little History of British Gardening.

Politicians and journalists from George Galloway to John Sergeant have plenty to say on a variety of subjects, biographers and autobiographers are as diverse as Richard Holmes, Julian Clary, Rabbi Lionel Blue and Fergal Keane and writers of fiction range from Doris Lessing and Colin Dexter to Terry Pratchett and Zadie Smith.

There are talks on arts and fashion, food, science, natural history and travel and the children's events include giants like Philip Pullman and Michael Morpurgo.

More information from www.sundaytimes-oxford literaryfestival.co.uk Tickets from the Oxford Playhouse box office on 01865 305305 or www.ticketsoxford.com/stolf until Friday, April 8 at 6.30pm. Ring 07786 08379/ 07810 294614/ 07810 293986 from noon on Saturday, April 9 and throughout the Festival.