EVENTS

WAYS WITH WORDS: Three inspiring and uplifting literary weekends for your diary:

Southwold 6-8 March - a stimulating line-up includes Paul Heiney, Peter and Hilary du Pre, Victoria Glendinning, Jenny Uglow, John Timpson, Susannah Clapp, and Sir Clement Freud.

York 27-29 March - Kate Adie, Paul Heiney, Libby Purves, James Long, Lisa St Aubin de Teran, David Weeks, and Richard Pitman talk about their lives, work and writing.

This year's Ways With Words Dartington Festival takes place 8-15 July - programme to be announced later in March. For more information on all three weekends telephone 01803 867 373.

MANCHESTER: Reginald Hill reads from his latest Dalziel and Pascoe novel On Beulah Height at Waterstone's, Deansgate, Mon 23, 7pm, pounds 3. 0161 832 1992.

ALLOA: Liz Lochhead discusses her work at Alloa Library, Drysdale St, Tue 24, 7.30pm, pounds 3/pounds 2. 01259 722 262.

NORWICH: Alan Hollinghurst (above) reads from his work at Lecture Theatre 1, Centre for Creative and Performing Arts, UEA, Tue 24, 7pm, pounds 3.50/pounds 2 (available on the door only). 01603 592 810.

TOTNES: 'Wordplay - a festival of words for young people and others' at the Ariel Centre, with Roger McGough, John Hegley, Tony Benn among many others, Sun 22-Fri 27. 01803 867 373.

LONDON: Performance poets Steve Tasane, Speech Painter, Patience Agbabi and Joelle Taylor in 'Lit Pop Preview' at the Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, Fri 27, 9pm, pounds 4.50/pounds 3. 0171 223 2223.

Poets Bill Griffiths and Barry MacSweeney read from three decades of work at the Voice Box, RFH, Wed 25, 7.30pm, pounds 4/pounds 2.50. 0171 960 4242