A Backstage Pass to the Hay Festival...

“Imagine the World” proclaims the Hay Festival strapline. It is an imagination borne out of the writings, thoughts, ideas and philosophies of authors and speakers, which never fails to inspire and entertain. And to provoke thought. One aspect of imagination though which gets little coverage during the event, is the creation of the festival site itself. In the five weeks leading up to the opening, a grassland field is transformed into a tented village, replete with marquees and carpeted boardwalks. Where Friesian cows once grazed, lively audiences now break out into applause and laughter. It is truly a staggering metamorphosis. Passing by the site on a November morning many years ago generated a sense of disbelief, in that a place which had created so much energy and emotion a few short months before had simply vanished. It was quite a surreal experience and has stayed with me. It was almost a magical moment. But evidence that human imagination can work in many different ways to inspire and create.

 Ten days before the Festival opens technical staff move in to set up power supplies and sound systems. During the event itself all technical responsibilities are shouldered by one full time member of staff, with further support provided by 60 temporary workers. This mix of full time and short term paid staff together with a small army of volunteers is characteristic of the staffing profile at Hay……across most departments. University interns are also extensively used too. Within “commercial” areas though (food outlets; retailing/merchandising areas) staff are on hourly paid contracts and tend to return each year like migrating swallows, drawn by the lure of not just financial gain, but also by the buzz of working within a stimulating environment. As one employee put it, “it sort of gets into your bloodstream”. The short term paid staff at the Hay Festival Bookshop for instance work on average for 4 weeks. Two weeks is spent setting up the bookshop before the event opens with the remainder of the time spent working during the Festival itself. Some staff take annual leave from full time jobs “in the outside world”, simply to enjoy working within a festival which embraces a lifetime passion. Not unlike other hobbies and interests, literature is like that.

Cancellation of the proposed Bank Holiday rail strike brought gasps of relief to the Festival “drivers”, who occupy much of their time collecting and returning visiting speakers from and to Hereford railway station. This transport interchange plays an important, yet understated role in the success of the Festival. As so many luminaries travel by train, using the time no doubt to perfect their lines, any industrial action would have caused much disruption. The announcement transformed moods and led to the abandonment of contingency planning schedules. Dining Room talk amongst the drivers was now less about improved Network Rail pay offers but more about the Lords Test Match (well, England for once were playing well). This group of backstage workers are always good value to have lunch with, reciting and replaying shared car journey conversations with the great and the good. Nothing like an insider view or some hot gossip to accompany the midday ham sandwich! Much as though I would like to relate some of these anecdotes to you, my knowledge of litigation prevents that!

The focal point for all staff working at Hay is the staff dining area. It is a haven of relative tranquillity away from the “madding crowds”; a social hub where talk is invariably about speakers and talks. The standard of food is exceptionally good and meal vouchers are gratefully exchanged for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Perhaps it is something about the effects of fresh air, or working outdoors, but food consumption seems particularly high. Do people usually eat this much during their normal lives? It is yet another happening at Hay that provokes a thought. Without doubt it is a most popular venue and the atmosphere within is always upbeat. Food production operations are managed by “Colin” – and have been for the past 27 years. He is as much a fixture at this event as the Florence family and may euphemistically be termed a character. His undoubted culinary talents and experience are matched by a colourful personality which echo loudly within the tent. He and his small team will serve 8,000 staff meals during the course of the event. For the statistically minded six tonnes of food will be ordered to meet this demand, all from local suppliers. The catering operation in itself is quite some accomplishment.

Management of food waste, emanating from both the tented staff canteen - and from the main festival site is a major logistical exercise. It falls under the remit of the Hay on Earth environmental programme, which covers a number of sustainable festival operations. The eight strong Waste Disposal team on site will be taking 9 tonnes of food to compost and will be collecting for recycling purpose, 6 tonnes of cardboard, 4 tonnes of glass and 4 tonnes of dry mixed recyclables. The figures in themselves reflect the magnitude of the festival and reflect in real terms the tangible impacts of 200,000 ticket holders. In their green uniforms (no surprise there) the team are a constant feature of the site, always working stealthily to keep public areas clean and pristine. Not unlike visitor management duties carried out by festival stewards, it is the understated nature of these type of duties which enhance the visitor experience.

Feedback from Hay 2015 has been particularly positive. The weather played its part with minimal rainfall, so wellingtons were a rare sight. It was correspondingly therefore a bad year for deckchairs as they were used so much. Free ticketing for school children proved to be a popular draw judging by the combined attendance of 5,500 over the two days. Much comment was also received about the site layout which in floor area terms was slightly bigger than 2014, providing more space for eating/drinking; for entry and exit points into venues - and for general access around the site. Again issues and developments relating to managing the visitor experience.

Driving away for the last time from this delightful part of East Wales, I played my usual game of selecting personal highlights; speakers and performances for instance, or shared conversations, moments of humour perhaps? The irony of a talk about the English and their history being delivered on the Wales stage, or endless political reflections about social welfare cuts and austerity taking place within the Daily Telegraph Tent both made me smile…or was it something completely different? Something over and above such things? Well this year it was. With profuse apologies to the stellar celebrities, my selection surprisingly related to a design highlight that consistently influenced the festival atmosphere...wider boardwalks! Their introduction had a marked impact. From a backstage perspective, easier visitor mobility around the site led to reduced congestion and happier visitors, which just goes to prove once again the disproportionate effect that small changes can have upon raising levels of enjoyment. 

That’s it for another year. Well at least in Wales. Another Hay Festival will take place in Ireland at the end of June and then subsequently across other continents. Time enough yet to organise a few more backstage passes!   

Andrew Campbell

Desert Island Books...

Image Courtesy of: Savit Keawtavee / Free Digital Photos

 

Here we are again with another instalment of our Desert Island Books series! This time we have contributions from Suzanne Taylor, one of our Assistant Librarians from Townhill Library. Suzanne looks after all library resources for Psychology & Counselling as well as Performance & Literature.

 

Want to contribute your Desert Island book choices? It's not too late! Email me at samantha.scoulding@sm.uwtsd.ac.uk

 

If you were stranded on a desert island which 4 books would you like to have with you and why?

It was difficult to only choose four books that I would want to have with me, should I be marooned on a desert island. Initially, ‘Exotic raw food recipes-75 raw food recipes you can make with tropical fruits and vegetables in five minutes or less’ by F. Patenaude, was high on my list. However, I finally selected the following:

A Survival Guide for Life by Bear Grylls, to help me face the challenges and enjoy the adventure!

The Complete Gardener by Monty Don, so that I could create my own garden and grow my own food. There’s something lovely about planting seeds in warm soil....

Tree Houses You Can Actually Build (A weekend project book) by David Stiles.  I would want to build a high-quality shelter, although creating a tree house in a weekend might be a little hard to achieve!

Staying Sane: How to Make Your Mind Work for You by Raj Persaud. If I only have myself to talk to, I’m going to need a book like this!

If you could bring one of the characters to life, for company, who would you choose and why?

If I were allowed to have one person with me for company, it might have to be Monty Don. His gardening knowledge would be invaluable.

You can have one luxury item on the island with you…what would it be?

There are many items I’d like to have as my luxury item. I did think about a Swiss Army penknife, but am hoping that if I am marooned a knife block, complete with a collection of knives from the ship’s kitchen, would also be washed up on shore, as they would be really useful. Therefore, I think my luxury item would have to be a wind-up radio, maybe in a tasteful retro design. Then I could listen to music all day long, as I merrily hacked through the island’s vegetation and built my tree house.....

You are rescued and can only take one book back with you…which one would you pick?

If I were rescued and was given the choice of taking one book back, I don’t think I would. I’d leave all the books, which would probably be quite tattered by now,  on the island in case anyone else was similarly marooned in the future. Instead, as mementos of my stay, I’d maybe take some of the wood carvings I’d had time to whittle with all those knives....

Desert Island Books...

Image courtesy of: winnond / Free Digital Photos.net

 

We're continuing our Desert Island Books series this week with some fab contributions from Mike Swanson in our IT Services department. Looks like he's given this some serious thought!

 

If you'd like to contribute your literary choices, there's still time, email me at samantha.scoulding@sm.uwtsd.ac.uk

      

        If you were stranded on a desert island which 4 books would you like to have with you and why?

 

J.R.R Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” {trilogy in one volume}  I have been reading {& re- reading } this since my early teens and I am able to lose myself in the text and in Middle Earth

Quite easily again and again. It simply never disappoints and, although I wouldn’t ever admit to it, I always cry when Sam leaves the shire at the end. {ooh, spoiler alert!}

 

“Dune”  Frank Herbert. I would probably take the first three if I could get away with it. Dune’s mighty sweeping dynastic saga is distracting enough to take your thoughts away from missing family or where the next fish is coming from and how to cook the thing once you catch it. The intrigue, plots,  wheels within wheels, subterfuge, assassination, war and politics keep you gripped throughout the convoluted and complicated plot.  Not the easiest of reads but very enjoyable.

 

“A Short History of Nearly Everything”  Bill Bryson. Mr Bryson is ever amusing and I have frequently laughed out loud in public places (yes, even in libraries) while reading his books, I challenge you to get through “Down Under” without guffawing.   “A Short History..” is Bryson’s description of evolution, geography, chemistry, astronomy, physics and everything in between written in a light and easy style, you can’t read it without learning something and I’m sure there’d be content of use on a desert island in here.

 

While we are on the subject “The SAS Survival Handbook” by Lofty Wiseman is probably the most sensible selection to take along, I think I’d like to survive the Island and maybe escape it so this is definitely on the book list.  I had a copy in my teens and bought one for my son this Christmas.  You just never know when you might need to splint a limb or skin a deer.  This book tells you how.

  

        If you could bring one of the characters to life, for company, who would you choose and why?

 

Why not the doughty Boromir? Heir apparent to the Stewardship of Gondor, High Warden of the White Tower. He is bound to have many stories to tell to while away the long warm, moon kissed island nights while sitting baking fish around the campfire he could certainly build and light from even the dampest beached wood or fallen palm. The capture and preparation of fish and wild pigs would be second nature to this adventurous captain and we need fear no savages or pirates while in his fierce and steadfast company.  Certainly he may not always have your best interests at heart, but this is only because he loves his own city, people and land and would give up anything to preserve them, even his own honour and dignity.  What better companion could you ask for?

  

        You can have one luxury item on the island with you…what would it be?

 

I’m not sure you’d call it a luxury, but a Machete is probably essential; for the cutting of palm fronds for the manufacture of shoes, obligatory grass skirt and dapper headgear, the skinning of wild pigs, raft construction, self-defence from savages. If we really are talking luxuries, I suppose I’d like my Kindle please; and a means to keep it charged.

 

        You are rescued and can only take one book back with you…which one would you pick?

 

“The Lord of the Rings”. I have to admit I do treasure that book.

 

  

World Book Day 2014

Swansea Business School Library Staff

 

In case you didn't know, Thursday 6th March 2014 is World Book Day! People all over the world will be celebrating everything that is great about books and reading. School children in the UK will be dressing up as their favourite book characters...and not wanting to miss out on all the fun, our UWTSD Swansea library staff decided to take matters into their own hands!



Staff from the Griffith Library at Dynevor

 

Staff chose to dress up in a vast array of costumes themed around children's literature, from Harry Potter and Peter Pan...to Mary Poppins and the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland...

Townhill Library Staff

 

We also put up some themed book displays on 'World Travel', 'As Seen on Screen' and 'Children's Reading'...not to mention yards of bunting for added decoration! We hope you had as much fun as we did! 

 



Desert Island Books

Image courtesy of: Exsodus / Free Digital Photos

Our 'Desert Island Books' series continues this week with contributions from Assistant Librarian Philippa Price who is based at our Townhill Library and looks after the information needs of students and staff within the Education department. If you'd like to contribute your desert island favourites it's not too late - email them to me samantha.scoulding@sm.uwtsd.ac.uk

If you were stranded on a desert island which 4 books would you like to have with you and why?

The Princess Bride – An easy choice! I always find it difficult to name one favourite book, but if I had to, it would be this one! I could never get bored of reading this book, so it would be a good one to bring along.

Complete Works of Jane Austen – Ok, so this is a bit of a cheat, but if I’m going to be stuck on this desert island for a while I’m going to need more than four books! And Austen’s novels are available in one volume, so there! This choice probably speaks for itself – witty, timeless classics with charming heroines and some rather lovely heroes, as well as a few bounders to liven things up!  

Lord of the Rings – Another tactical choice here, as this is actually three books in one, though more commonly available in one volume these days. This will be the perfect complement to all that Jane Austen – once I’ve had my fill of turns around the drawing room and all those dances, I can turn to Tolkien for some adventure and strife!

Emotionally Weird – I love all of Kate Atkinson’s books, but this is probably my favourite. Definitely one to read again and again!

If you could bring one of the characters to life, for company, who would you choose and why?

Hmmm, a tricky one this. Not sure any of the Austen lot would cope in the wild, so I’ll discount them. Nora or Effie from Emotionally Weird might be good for some stories, but maybe not for too long! I’m tempted by the wonderful Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride – brave, loyal and true – but I fear he’d be a little intense for a desert island. I think I’ll go with Aragorn (especially if he looks like Viggo Mortensen in the films!), who would be more than capable of sorting out a fire, shelter and food, but is a little more taciturn than Inigo and probably easier company in a confined space!

You can have one luxury item on the island with you…what would it be?

One of those blankets with sleeves to keep me warm at night. Since it’s a luxury item, I’d have to make sure to bring one with a foot pocket for extra toastiness!

You are rescued and can only take one book back with you…which one would you pick?

The Princess Bride – I could never leave that book behind!

Desert Island Books!

                                          Image Courtesy of Simon Howden/ Free Digital Photos

You've heard of the popular radio show 'Desert Island Discs'...well, we thought it would be fun to find out what BOOKS we would choose to be stranded with! So, we'll be running a brand new series of blogs over the coming weeks and months inviting staff, students and other blog followers to answer 4 simple questions on this very topic. It'll be an interesting opportunity to share our literary favourites and to find out more about each other! If you'd like to contribute - send your answers to the 4 questions below to me samantha.scoulding@sm.uwtsd.ac.uk and we'll post them over the coming months...so keep visiting the blog to see if yours is here!

 

I'm going to get the ball rolling by sharing my desert island reads with you...please don't judge me too harshly!! :-)

 

If you were stranded on a desert island which 4 books would you like to have with you and why?

Frankenstein – My favourite book of all time, so I’ll never get tired of reading it.

Robinson Crusoe – I might pick up some valuable survival tips!

Twilight – I love Stephanie Meyer’s series of vampire books and the first is the best.

Wild Food – A cook book by bush craft expert Ray Mears…I could be stuck on this island for a long time - it’s a no brainer!

If you could bring one of the characters to life, for company, who would you choose and why?

Edward Cullen from Twilight. Let’s face it, he’s easy on the eye (!), he’s also very intelligent so would make great conversation…and he has vampire super powers which could help me escape the island! Although with him for company I’m not sure I’d want to…!

You can have one luxury item on the island with you…what would it be?

My iPhone, I can’t leave home without it!! Then I could call for help…assuming I could get a signal?!!

You are rescued and can only take one book back with you…which one would you pick?

Twilight – what can I say, I’m obsessed with all things vampire!

The Hay Festival - An Insider View

                                Image courtesy of: Finn Beales

Time to return to Hay-On-Wye for an update from our guest blogger, Andrew Campbell, who is currently soaking up the literary atmosphere as a volunteer steward at this year's festival!

FRIDAY 24^th MAY.

Hay. Fine weather. No need for wellingtons. A steady procession of visitors enter the festival site. Cheerful, chatty, eager with anticipation. First time visitors will know no difference, but the site has been reconfigured. Interestingly it is now smaller in size, but appears bigger. A sleight of hand or just another example of the magic of this place. It’s good to meet fellow colleagues from 2012. “Had a good year?” everyone seems to ask. It feels like a reunion which it actually is. The hesitancy of newly inducted stewards is apparent, but like the first day of school will soon disappear.

Commence work at “Barclays”, the largest venue (1500) and mecca for all the big name speakers. First up is John McCarthy, who is supposed to be talking with Sandi Toksvig. Big problem is that she’s ill. Unusual for Hay and for some attendees there is disappointment. She is a draw in her own right. McCarthy instead delivers a reading, but conversations are invariably better. The subject of Palestine is clearly a passion and he receives respectful attention. Prior to the talk commencing I chat to a gentleman taking notes. “That’s the sort of thing I suggest to my students when sitting in lectures”, I quip. A conversation ensues. Turns out he’s note taking for a blog. We have something in common (if you haven’t noticed you are reading mine right now)…but that’s where the similarity of sorts ends.  He’s a blogger with a difference, no less than Benedict Brogan, Deputy Editor of the Daily Telegraph! He graciously accepts my excuse for not having renewed my DT annual subscription and generously shares some blogging tips. Short, incisive commentary is best, so I make no apology now for my change in style. It’s the Benedict way. We become best friends.

To a smaller venue next. The Landmarc Stage. Title of talk: ”Futures in the Making”. All quite intellectual. Both speakers and audience appear equally challenging. I shall be making my debut here tomorrow as Venue Head, so concentration levels are at an all-time high. Visitors file out thoughtfully (something they always seem to do at presentations). Perhaps they are contemplating their own personal futures …

Head on over to the Wales Stage for a music performance. Hay covers a multitude of artistic presentations. Rokia Traore, a singer from Mali is performing. She comes with a big reputation and does not disappoint. The music is pulsating; pockets of the audience, unable to contain themselves, break out into unrestrained dance; some of the seated look on with envy, weighing up thoughts of how they might look if they joined in. The place as they say, “is rocking”. Truly a captivating performance! My working day ends up at Barclays. Another full house for Irish singer Christy Moore. A musical contrast; an audience comfortably seated and more constrained…but no less the poorer for that.

 

SATURDAY 25^th MAY.

Hot and sunny today. The wind has dropped. No sounds of flapping canvas.  Visitor numbers seem high. Bump into my new best friend, Benedict, early on. We discuss blogging (what else?) and I compliment him on his posting which I had read earlier. Brevity, reflection, salient points. These are my new reference points. Help out at Barclays and listen in to Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google. Astonishing revelations and insights. Schmidt delivers with a languid and easy style. Spot my work colleagues Lucy and Chris on the front row (where else?). Never mind Google Glass. Medical tablets have been invented to determine your state of health. Simply swallow and check the feedback on your mobile phone. Plenty of bemused reactions to that! No time here to discuss his coverage of “code wars” (cyber space attacks); or social revolutions; or political influences surrounding broadband provision. Better to buy his latest book. Make my way to lunch. Surprisingly BBC Middle East Correspondent Jeremy Bowen swerves masterfully out of my way into a food court. Has he had a rugby past - or is it a developed skill to stay alive in dangerous places?

Spend most of my day at Landmarc. Was amused by Irish writer Colum McCann’s response to an opposing point of view, “I accept what you say, but I’d like to examine it”. Clearly it was nonsense to him then. Make a mental note to use that one at work. Out on the boardwalk, I get asked by Lord Stern’s wife for directions to the Green Room. We walk across together chatting briefly about climate change issues. I can safely report that despite his underestimations of former predictions, he does sleep well at night. In the Green Room spot an all-time hero, AC Grayling in thoughtful conversation. What wonderful hair! The boardwalks are now teeming – and there is hardly any room for deckchairs on the grass. But the crowds seem content.  Bump into friends from Carmarthen. They appear enthused. Again on the boardwalk I get asked for directions. This time from Welsh Govt Education Minister Leighton Andrews and wife. We walk and talk, Leighton holding his white rose (which is given to all presenters). It doesn’t hurt to mention that my day job is at Swansea Met. A piece of information that I pass on later to First Minister Carwyn Jones , when he comes to present at Landmarc.

My day ends in more sombre fashion. Faction Theatre are delivering a tribute play about gay rights activist David Kato, who was murdered in Uganda. Controversial. Shocking. Moving. It reflects much about the human condition.

                                Image courtesy of: Finn Beales   

 

SUNDAY 26^th MAY

38,000 tickets sold yesterday. Car park spaces suggest less numbers today. Still busy though, but more room to breathe on the boardwalks. .

Was able to catch Hans Blix earlier in the day. He revealed truths that we already knew but the audience was no less astonished. “Iraq has taught us that we must act upon fact not fiction”; “if you break the pot, you own it”, were just two of his lines. Uncomfortable listening for any former Prime Ministers in the audience. I was drawn by interviewer Jon Snow’s pink socks during the session. Quite striking, quite bold. Much in keeping with Blix’s presentation.

Spot Benedict in the Telegraph Tent and ask him how he managed to be brief about Schmidt yesterday. “Not easy” was the response. So I’m human after all. He was dashing off in the direction of Carl Bernstein’s presentation – one journalist in support of another I suppose. Return to Landmarc to set up geneticist Adam Rutherford’s talk. Science was never my thing, but his ability to explain difficult concepts with ease impressed. Had he been my “chem” teacher at school, who knows how life would have turned out? For the record – and you heard it here first, we are all descended from rocks. Yes rocks. My thoughts as well!!

The IF Campaign, “Enough Food for Everyone” brought a sense of sobriety late in the day. One in eight people on the planet go to bed hungry each day. Esther Mweto, from Malawi, grew up with such hunger. Her testimony was moving. Former Jain monk, peace activist and pacifist, Satish Kumar, known for his 8,000 mile walk to all nuclear powers 50 years ago, electrified the audience with his oratory. Calling for more dignity for farmers, his message made perfect sense. Reflected on the way home about the contrast between Schmidt’s Google advancements – against a world that still cannot feed itself. Very much food for thought.

 

MONDAY 27^th MAY

November returned with a vengeance today. Strong winds; lashing rain; low temperatures. Despite the conditions British stoicism was evident amongst festival goers. There was a grim determination to enjoy it; a sense of pride in seeing it through. Queues were patient and polite; cheerfulness and humour to the fore.

Stella Rimington, ex MI5 chief, lightened the gloom with a riveting performance. Not at all George Smiley. More like the neighbour next door. Down to earth, personable, appeared entirely “normal”.  Fascinating insights into a life living with secrets. Was totally against the invasion of Iraq – and believed Government put pressure on the Intelligence Services to “sex” up the dossier. It was again not a good day for ex Prime Ministers.

My most embarrassing moment of the day was asking Edith Grossman for her ticket when she entered the venue. Unbeknown to me, she was the guest speaker. Grossman is arguably the world’s leading literary translator. A reserve list of ticket applicants bore testimony to the fact. Think she found it all very amusing. Hope so. Must remember though to purchase her latest translation of Garcia Marquez’s novel when next in Carmarthen.

“Low Impact Travel” was the last talk tonight. Many suggestions were given. Apparently overland travel reduces the carbon footprint and brings people together. It connects individuals and communities. Had a random thought that perhaps Satish Kumar was onto this 50 years ago. Perhaps there is nothing new under the sun.  Sadly Benedict was nowhere to be seen today. So no blogging chats; no top tips; no thoughts about how to compose that masterful turn of phrase. Bearing in mind the weather he might have left for London. It seems therefore an appropriate juncture to end this particular literary excursion. I trust the insights have been interesting – and provided some “feel” about this most special of festivals! And that one day you might visit!

 Andrew Campbell.

Make Hay while the sun shines...!

               Image: chainat / freedigitalphotos.net               

 

We’re extremely happy to welcome another guest blogger for today’s post! Andrew Campbell, Head of Leisure, Events, Tourism & Sport at Swansea Met has kindly agreed to share some thoughts on the upcoming Hay Festival with us. Andrew is a regular festival goer and now volunteer steward at Hay which provides him with a valuable insight into event management that can be passed on to his students. With over 20 years’ experience and a background in research and consultancy for tourism and events, plus a keen interest in the great outdoors (!) Andrew is perfectly placed to share his views on this prestigious literary event. So sit back and enjoy…oh, and make sure you check back in a couple of weeks’ time when Andrew will be back to report on some of this year’s Hay highlights.

As the month of May draws towards its close, final preparations are being made for the opening of the world’s most successful literature festival. From 23^rd May to 2^nd June, the Hay Festival will play host to 200,000 visitors, who will come in search of intellectual adventure, inspiration and fun. Approximately 500 talks will be given by writers drawn from the world of popular fiction, poetry, politics, the environment, philosophy, history, theology, sport and entertainment.

Audiences will sit in rapt attention within tented pavilions, listening to stories, ideas, concepts and experiences. All will challenge, invigorate and provoke discussion. All will take people out of themselves – and to quote Festival Director, Peter Florence, “to think about the world and to imagine how it might be”. As a regular visitor to Hay (and now an erstwhile steward!), I liken it to a gym for the mind, which never fails to sharpen my intellectual curiosity. The ready accessibility of authors adds to the fascination of attending, where a quiet word can be exchanged over book signings or simply along the wooden boardwalks which crisscross the festival site. Social connection is another additional benefit. The coming together of so many like-minded people creates an invariably relaxed atmosphere. Conversations held with complete strangers are the norm. Reactions to presentations need to be shared; opinions need to be aired; thoughts need to be clarified. It is all quite understandable. In essence it is the friendliest of places! No small wonder to learn from Festival sources that over 30 marriages have ensued from this forum of interaction! A union of souls in more sense than one!

Add to all these benefits the delightful setting of Hay; a small market town (population 1900) situated within the rolling Welsh countryside on the Powys/Herefordshire border – and it is not difficult to see why this event has become so popular. This year will be the 26^th anniversary of Hay. Since it began in 1988, an international dimension has evolved. There are now a further 11 festivals operating across five continents……which reflects the strength of the brand. This year (June), Kells in Ireland will become the latest addition to the list.

Popularity and success though can lead to disparagement – and the Festival does have its detractors. In much the same way that Glastonbury  has attracted criticism for becoming a middle class, middle aged gathering, with a “popular” product offering, so has Hay. To the literary purist it has become too mainstream with an accent upon “celebrity” and entertainment. Evening performers for instance this year will include K.T.Tunstell, Noah and the Whale, Christy Moore, Dara O’Briain, Jo Brand and Alan Davies. Headline sponsorship by the Daily Telegraph has also raised eyebrows. With visitor numbers increasing year on year, fears also abound that Hay may fall victim to its own success, as small intimate, informal atmospheres may be lost.

That said, Hay has not only survived through a recession, but has successfully managed to meet the changing needs of festival goers. An important point. Better facilities and services are now required as consumers are not what they were in 1988. Basic amenities are not enough. The need for corporate engagement and sponsorship is therefore a prerequisite for staying in the game. Recent financial pressures have taken their toll upon the events sector, as the neighbouring Brecon Jazz festival can testify. Hay has stayed true to its core values and continues to trade as a charitable, not for profit organisation. The promotion of free speech, human rights, sustainable living, equality and inclusiveness remain key. Ticket prices are low and represent excellent value – “bargain” may be a better description! Festival themes are diverse and offer appeal to a wide range of interest groups. To the detractors then, it hasn’t been so much a case of selling out to commercialism, but more a case of embracing common sense.

Enough of the background. For further information check out www.hayfestival.org Programme highlights are too numerous to mention……a friend of mine has just booked to see: Mary Beard, Eric Schmidt, Nicholas Stern, Hans Blix, Carl Bernstein, Michael Vaughan, Edna O’Brien and Sebastian Faulks. Eclectic choice or what? But that’s the beauty of Hay – something to suit everyone! With Miranda Hart making an appearance this year, one might even say.......it will be “such fun”!

 Andrew Campbell