THE Swindon Festival of Literature returns next month after successfully hosting virtual events during the first lockdown. The town’s long-running cultural extravaganza is using the lessons learned from its first online-only festival in 2020 to bring more fascinating talks by amazing authors to the people of Swindon. More than 40 events will be held between May 3 and 9 via the festival’s website and can be viewed from all over the world. Authors on this year’s line-up include Richard Thompson, Rowan Williams, Miranda Sawyer, Blake Morrison, Jasper Fforde, Ella Al-Shamahi, Natalie Haynes, Ollivier Pourriol, Sally Bayley, Richard Durrant, and Claudia Hammond.