EVENTS

GRASMERE: the annual Wordsworth Summer Conference, which this year also celebrates the bicentenary of Robert Burns, runs from Sun 28 to Sat 10 Aug. The first week includes Jonathan Wordsworth and others at a poetry reading in St Oswald's Church; Sun 28, 8.30pm, pounds 3. Ex-Labour leader Michael Foot lectures on Hampstead and Grasmere: The Cockney Revenge at the Prince of Wales Hotel; Wed 31, 9pm, pounds 5. 015394 35544.

LONDON: Will Self joins beatnik writer Jock Scot for a reading at Filthy MacNasty's, 68 Amwell St, EC1; Sun 28, 8.30pm, pounds 5. 0171 837 6067.

NORTHAMPTON: Professor Eric Robertson lectures on John Clare and launches his OUP books on the poet at the Central Library, Abington St; Tue 30, 8pm, free. 01604 26771.

BRIGHTON: Stewart Home reads from his new novel Slow Death at "do tongues", The Lift, 11-12 Queens Rd; Wed 31, 8pm, pounds 4.50/pounds 3.50. 01273 730515.

CAMBRIDGE: Antiquarian book fair takes place at the Fisher Hall, Guildhall Pl; Wed 31, 10am-4.30pm, free. 01763 249212.

CANTERBURY: Historian and travel-writer Michael Wood talks about his new book The Smile of Murugan, about Tamil Nadu, at Waterstone's, 20-21 St Margarets St; Thur 1, 7pm, free. 01227 456343.