Project co-ordinator Esther Harper met with STEAM manager Ian Surtees to consider details for the festival, which will take place on Friday, November 12 and Saturday, November 13, 2010.

It will feature a major new stage musical based on Society Chairman John Cullimore's CD about the life of Alfred Williams. Like the CD, the musical will be called The Hammerman, and there will be performances on both the Friday and Saturday night, in front of audiences of more than 500 each time. It will feature a nine-piece orchestra and a cast of more than 20, following auditions that are due to take place in July.

A children's event involving local schools will also take place on stage on the Friday afternoon. Saturday afternoon will see an exhibition and displays relating both to Alfred's life and the times in which he lived, and will include presentations from major local heritage groups, along with talks, slideshows and workshops. It is even hoped that a special commemorative beer will be produced to mark the event.

The Society is also hoping to put on a second Alfred Williams Folksong Evening, possibly on the Thursday before the festival proper begins.

Society Vice-chair Graham Carter said: "The festival is ambitious considering it will be the first of its kind in Swindon, but with generous backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund and support from other groups who share our passion for local heritage, we are confident of success.

"Most of the festival will take place in the newly refurbished Great Western Hall at STEAM, which is an impressive venue and which we think will lend itself to the event.

"Perhaps the best thing is it will all be free. Our successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund was very specifically based on making this a community event, and they were very keen that we should be able to offer free entry to all the different aspects of the festival."

If any heritage groups are interested in participating in the festival, please contact Esther Harper.

Below are our first photos of the Great Western Hall at STEAM, where the festival will take place. Watch this space for more behind-the-scenes looks at the festival throughout its preparation.

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