THE HAY FESTIVAL 1995

The 1995 Hay Festival, sponsored once again by the Independent, gets going this weekend and lasts until 4 June. Set in the lovely, book- crammed market town of Hay-on-Wye, it offers over a hundred exciting events, involving writers, musicians, entertainers and other celebrities.

Today, you can hear Laurie Lee, author of the timeless classic Cider With Rosie; other highlights include Booker prizewinner Penelope Fitzger- ald and Pullitzer winner Jane Smiley talking about their latest work. Novelist Michele Roberts and critic Hermione Lee discuss sex in fiction. Plus Fay Weldon, Roy Hattersley, poetry, comedy, and Bach.

Tomorrow, Margaret Drabble introduces her life of Angus Wilson and Antony Sher his new novel (both reviewed opposite); the distinguished historian Eric Hobsbawn gives the Raymond Williams Lecture; and thriller writer Philip Kerr chats about his million-dollar Hollywood deal.

For full details of the the events of the coming week, please call the Festival Box Office on 01497 821299; fax: 01497 821066