Rhythm and Rhyme is a light hearted
literature programme broadcast on SWINDON
105.5. The show is researched, produced and
presented by Katharine and Jon (and sometimes Rob!) and can be listened to every
Thursday 4pm-5pm with a repeat every Sunday 5pm-6pm.
The programme aims to make literature in all its manifestations
inspiring, accessible and most importantly entertaining to people of all ages
and backgrounds in Swindon and the local area.
We are dedicated to celebrating and exploring the fascinating world of
literature, working with other enthusiasts from local libraries, bookshops,
readers and writers groups as well as Wiltshire's finest poets and authors.
Each show brings together a variety of
exciting content, from revealing the literary heritage of Wiltshire's past to
interviewing authors from Wiltshire's present, chats and discussions with
writers and readers groups, listening to the animated voices of Wiltshire's
talented poets and authors, trying (and sometimes failing!) to write our own
stories and poems, chatting about our own book group, and promoting the array
of literary groups and events in the Swindon area.
We aim to support local authors and poets and
provide the opportunity for them to get their voices heard, whether you’re a local
writer just starting out, or a popular writer with published work you will be
welcome on Rhythm and Rhyme. We also like to invite guests in to the show on a
regular basis so that listeners can follow their stories and progression.
To date, our wonderful guests have included
authors Lindsey Davis, Helen Rappaport, Eileen Browne, Jon Stock, Margaret
Armand Smith and Katie Fforde. In addition a number of talented local poets
have kindly performed their personal, unique and innovative style of writing for
the Rhythm and Rhyme listeners. This has included and continues to include a number of poets from the Swindon based writers group BlueGate Poets, Footsteps,
Life Writing Group and Lower Shaw Farm Writers’ Café.
At Rhythm and Rhyme we like to nurture new
talent by promoting writing competitions and such as those featured in Graffiti magazine and Pulsar webzine, as well as
the wider national events such as the Six Book Challenge.
If you would like to perform your work, promote an event, a writing or reading group, don't hesitate to get in touch! E-mail info@swindon1055.com and head your e-mail Rhythm and Rhyme.
Coming up...
The
summer programmes
for 2010 will include themed programmes onjourneys,
travel, life and
death, dreams, families and friends from a variety of brilliant local poets.
Previously on the show...
Rob and Jon are very keen on themed
shows and Rhythm and Rhyme has included whole programmes dedicated to food, romantic literature, children’s books,
Halloween, revolution, war, heroes and heroines and Christmas.
We have also had a few special features
such as ‘Rob and Jon’s bookies guide to the Booker prize’, which sadly turned
out to be completely wrong! We’ve also had a look in to other national events
such as national poetry day, which resulted in the team writing our very own
poems, as well as hearing local poets reading their very much better poems at SwindonMuseum
and ArtGallery!
We have promoted and attended many other
local events such as Swindon, Wootton Bassett, Highworth and Bath Festival
ofLiterature, where we interviewed the
organisers and spoke to several very enthusiastic attendees.
We
also like to get out and about in Swindon
and have visited the Swindon Central library
reading group and recorded their very interesting debates, and even got a
little bit involved ourselves. We have also visited the Stratton Library
Life
Writing group and recorded some fascinating stories from a beautifully
eclectic
group of writers from the south west.
We have also had a great interview with the
organiser of Swindon Ten Youth Festival of Literature, and were very lucky to
hear the pupils of Nova Hreod read ‘The Fastest Story in the West’. The result
of a creative speed writing activity that included 11 secondary schools in Swindon having only 45 minutes to write their own
paragraph before whizzing it over to a neighbouring school to continue the
story.
On Saturday 14th November 2009 the Rhythm
and Rhyme team organised a Big Book Swap at Lawn Community Centre. Local people
were invited to bring a selection of brilliant books swap them for a small
donation to the station. The event was for all ages from children to adults and
saw a huge variety of books changing hands. We were entertained by readings
from Bluegate Poets and a performance by Moonsongs, along with a few extra
impromptu readings from other great local poets.
