HALF Highworth Arts & Literary Festival

HALF Highworth Arts & Literary Festival Festival June 2026

Great Q&A Plenary event this evening for the Festival.Katie Fforde talking about the authors life. Thanks to Julie for h...
20/06/2026

Great Q&A
Plenary event this evening for the Festival.
Katie Fforde talking about the authors life.
Thanks to Julie for hosting.

What a day!Story and Lego in the Library…Writing for children workshop Art exhibition all day…Art trail Lunch with thre...
20/06/2026

What a day!
Story and Lego in the Library…
Writing for children workshop
Art exhibition all day…
Art trail
Lunch with three authors
A fundamentals of plot workshop…
And just about to start a Q&A with author Katie Fforde (pictured)

and we begin again tomorrow with puppets, improvisation, another writers workshop and
The historical society have an exhibition.
Art exhibition ope in the morning as well

All details here… still spaces on the Sunday events…

https://visithighworth.co.uk/vhl-half-programme.html

20/06/2026

After children’s story time in the Library this morning- there was a freeform Lego building (playful) competition.
Here’s the results!

Sat 20thThe big weekend for the festival kicks off with the town crier, the bells ringing, and the drummers from BANG TO...
19/06/2026

Sat 20th
The big weekend for the festival kicks off with the town crier, the bells ringing, and the drummers from BANG TO RITES.
Come to the market square for 10am for the event.

And fyi-
A town crier (or bellman) is a historical officer of a royal court or public authority appointed to make official proclamations. Operating as the original "newsmen" before the advent of print or broadcast media, they wear traditional colorful regalia and begin their public announcements by ringing a handbell and shouting "Oyez, oyez, oyez!"

A fantastic night of poetry sharing last night in The Highworth. Great fun and joy in sharing.Who knew there were so man...
19/06/2026

A fantastic night of poetry sharing last night in The Highworth.
Great fun and joy in sharing.
Who knew there were so many talented poets and poetry lovers in town?! (Some pictured below).

Big thanks to the Highworth for hosting, and who know’s it might happen again!

If you missed us don’t worry there’s still lots to do and explore in the festival this weekend.

Tonight if you’re free…A day in the life of 100 women in Britain with Dr Rosa MathesonA chance to hear about a book writ...
18/06/2026

Tonight if you’re free…

A day in the life of 100 women in Britain with Dr Rosa Matheson

A chance to hear about a book written by 100 everyday women. Funny, feisty, sometimes chokingly sad, it is honest, brave, and inspirational. Hear about the remarkable things this book has made happen; and meet some of its authors.

Time: 7:30pm
Venue: United Rerformed Church, 26 High Street, Highworth SN6 7AG

17/06/2026

Here’s a poem for HALF
And here’s an event for poetry lovers:

Open Mic Poetry Night

An open mic sharing event hosted by The Highworth. Are you a budding poet or even a published poet? Don't be shy ... find your voice, come along and share your work. Or just come along to watch, listen and learn.

Read your own work or share a favourite poem. No more than 3 poems at 4 minutes (or less) reading time each.

Enjoy a pint of or a HALF of the special Festival beer!

Date: Thursday 18 June
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Venue: The Highworth Hotel

ENTRY/EXIT DONATION

17/06/2026

HALF kicked off this last weekend
With an exhibition at the Community Room.

Lots of visitors. £230 was raised for Prospect Hospice.
Huge thanks to the volunteers providing refreshments.

Ann March painted outside the Hall for the entertainment of visitors.
The resulting painting will be on show and for sale at the local Artists Exhibition, on Sat and Sunday 20th-21st at the United Reform Church on the High Street.
Come along then and have a look!

Great fun had by all at the Quiz Night last night. The HALF team did alright on arts and lit, so so on music. Look forwa...
17/06/2026

Great fun had by all at the Quiz Night last night. The HALF team did alright on arts and lit, so so on music.

Look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events for the rest of this week.
Check out what’s on here:

https://visithighworth.co.uk/vhl-half-programme.html

So Mr Bond… You think you know? HALF Quiz Night at the Goldfinger.Tonight, a not to be missed friendly Quiz Night hosted...
16/06/2026

So Mr Bond…
You think you know?

HALF Quiz Night at the Goldfinger.

Tonight, a not to be missed friendly Quiz Night hosted by the Goldfinger Tavern.

And fun fact:
On a literary note the Goldfinger opened in 1971 and is named in honour of the eponymous James Bond villian. James Bond creator, author Ian Fleming lived nearby at Sevenhampton.

Come along with a team and test your quizzing mettle.

Date: Tuesday 16 June
Time: 8pm
Venue: The Goldfinger Tavern, Newburgh Place, Highworth SN6 7DN
Price: £2 per person

PAY ON THE NIGHT

Address

Highworth
Swindon
SN6

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