Clare Balding... And Other Animals! 

TV presenter (and ducklings!) get the Swindon Festival of Literature under way - REVIEW

 

Clare Balding is a national treasure, and it’s hard to think of anybody who would have better kick-started the first day of the Swindon Festival of Literature.

 

She spoke to an almost packed Wyvern Theatre about her best-selling autobiography, My Animals and Other Family, and revealed she is in discussion with TV producers about dramatising it.

 

But what the audience were probably keenest to find out was whether Britain’s favourite sports presenter and the icing on the cake of London 2012 is really as nice as she seems on the telly.

 

After an hour or so in her company, the answer is surely YES!

 

 

Only Clare Balding could get away with name-dropping the Queen, the Queen Mother and the Princess Royal in one breath - and then be so self-deprecating and human the next.

 

Posh? Yes. Rich? Very. But one of us, nonetheless.

 

Some might say her popularity with programme makers means Clare has become over-exposed, but the Festival audience would beg to differ. She left us wanting more of her, not less, and if that isn’t the mark of a genuine national treasure, then I’m not sure what is.

 

Graham Carter, Editor of Swindon Heritage

 

 

Support Your Local Book Shop

 

Clare's book - My Animals And Other Family is avilable to buy in Waterstones in the Brunel Centre and Basset Books in Royal Wootton Bassett.

 

The Swindon Festival of Literature continues until 18 May, with events everyday - details via the link below.