Famous faces to grace Leamington’s first history festival

Tony Benn, former Labour MP and prominent voice of the left wing, will present, with performer Roy Bailey, The Writing on the Wall: a History of Dissent in Words and Song at the Spa Centre on May 27.

The event is just one among a colourfully varied two-week programme put together by Leamington not-for-profit group Heritage Matters.

The Leamington Looks Back festival, which will begin on May 26 and include the Queen’s Jubilee bank holiday weekend, will include not just talks, but also films, plays, the showcasing of community projects and commercial ventures, walks, workshops and art displays.

On top of this, there will be a 1950s dinner dance, nostalgia picnics with live bands and a vintage fair.

Jenny St John, of Heritage Matters, said: “We have had a big response from local groups. We have between 40 and 50 different groups wanting to be a part of it.

“The beauty of it is that there are so many people in and around Leamington who are putting in hard work on history projects and this is giving everybody the opportunity to showcase that, all in a fortnight.”

People who live in south Leamington who would like to get involved in the festival can attend an introductory volunteers workshop at the Brunswick Healthy Living Centre in Shrubland Street on Thursday at 6pm. Volunteering roles include running and stewarding events, developing festival policies, marketing, reviewing, recording and photography.

Anyone living elsewhere in Warwick district who would like to get involved is invited to call Ms St John on 774373 or email [email protected]

Heritage Matters is looking for sponsorship of the festival.

Any businesses or individuals who would like to help should contact Ms St John.

Tickets to see The Writing on the Wall are available online.