We could not run Marlborough LitFest without the support of our sponsors and donors. We are very grateful for all the local businesses, individual donors and festival friends who help us to keep our ticket prices accessible; help us stage free events for children and families and take the joy of reading and transformative power of books to the current and next generation of readers.
Please contact general@marlboroughlitfest.org if you are interested in becoming a sponsor. There are opportunities as lead festival sponsor, main event sponsors and event sponsors as well as making a straightforward donation. All levels of sponsorship offer the opportunity of a visible partnership with one of the key cultural events in Wiltshire. Moreover, you may be able to claim tax relief on your donation.
See https://www.gov.uk/tax-limited-company-gives-to-charity
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Main Event Sponsor
Hiscox Insurance – Hiscox insures homes and contents, including fine art, high value cars and other valuable assets and collectibles as well as insuring the liability and property risks for small professional businesses and events.
Founder Sponsor
Robert Hiscox has supported LitFest since our first festival in 2010, initially through Hiscox Insurance but more recently as an individual sponsor. We are particularly grateful for his ongoing support for our annual debut authors event.
Event Sponsors (in alphabetical order)
AM – AM’s digital collections and technology platforms enrich the study, research and teaching of primary sources. AM partners with libraries, archives and heritage institutions to digitise the world’s historical and cultural knowledge.
Brearley & Rich – Brearley & Rich is an independent estate agency, based on London Road in the beautiful market town of Marlborough. Brearley & Rich successfully cover a large swathe of Wiltshire and West Berkshire and are proud to provide an outstanding, tailor-made service to sellers and buyers.
Hamilton Trust – Hamilton Trust is an Oxford-based educational charity which publishes plans for maths, English, science and Topics on its website and around 50,000 primary teachers download their own selection and adapt them as part of their teaching. In Marlborough, Hamilton Trust backs up its support for literacy and children’s enjoyment of books by sponsoring and running ‘Imagination Marlborough’. This project operates under the Dolly Parton Imagination Library umbrella and posts an age-appropriate book each month, free of charge, to any child under five years old who lives in or near Marlborough and has been enrolled in the scheme.
Indigo Antiques – Indigo Antiques source the world’s most beautiful Oriental antique furniture & decorative antiques from India, China, Tibet, & Japan. It has the largest collection of authentic Oriental antique furniture in the UK with over 45 years experience. Its 13,000 sq ft showroom and warehouse is based just outside Pewsey, Wiltshire.
Mcfarlane Property – Mcfarlane Property is an award-winning, local, independent estate agents specialising in residential sales, residential lettings and property management. Its four offices are located in prominent positions in the key towns of North Wiltshire and work closely together to cover these areas and their surrounds. Its Marlborough Office has won the British Property Awards for the last three years as Marlborough’s Best Estate Agent.
St Francis School – St Francis School is a co-educational, independent prep school situated on a stunning 17-acre site in the heart of the Pewsey Vale, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2021.
The Arts Society – The Arts Society is a leading arts education charity with a global network of local societies which bring people together through a shared curiosity for the Arts.
The local group sponsoring a LitFest event is The Arts Society Kennet & Swindon (TASKS). This is a friendly society for anyone in the Marlborough and Swindon area who enjoys learning about the Arts, meeting new people, supporting local heritage and encouraging art in the community. It meets monthly for lectures at The Ellendune Centre, Wroughton guests are most welcome.
For more information: info@theartssocietykennet.org.
William Golding Limited – Its founder, the novelist William Golding, intended the company to be a means of safeguarding his works, and the rights and income accruing to them. The present Chief Executive Officer is his daughter Judy Carver. William Golding Limited has kindly sponsored our annual Golding Speaker since 2012.
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General Sponsors (in alphabetical order)
Cocklebury Farm – Cocklebury Farm provides individual luxury accommodation at the heart of the Pewsey Vale.
Deacons – Deacons was founded by an ambitious 26-year-old George Deacon in 1848 and is now a business in its 6th generation. The son of a Westbury farmer George was a trained clock and watchmaker and came to Swindon “to keep the trains on time”. Deacons became subcontractors to the Great Western and later the Midland and South-West Junction line. The company has stores in Marlborough and Swindon which is one of the UK’s oldest Rolex official retailers.
Haine and Smith Opticians – Haine and Smith is a family run independent opticians based in Wiltshire dedicated to providing exceptional service to earn a lifetime of loyalty.
marlborough.news – marlborough.news was launched in 2011 as a voluntary project with the aim of providing news that readers need to know about their community – its people, its events and what’s likely to happen in the near future. It provides a distinctive voice for Marlborough and its surrounding villages.
Steele Davis – Steele Davis is a family-run business that has been delivering high-quality repairs, maintenance, new build and refurbishment services across Wiltshire and the surrounding areas for over 30 years. No job is too big or too small – it approaches every project with the same level of professionalism and care. Over the years, it has built strong working relationships with local businesses in Marlborough and the wider region.
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Business Community Sponsors (in alphabetical order)
Awdry Law – Awdry Law specialises in delivering tailored legal solutions for individuals and businesses across Wiltshire and the surrounding areas.
Operating from offices in Chippenham, Devizes, Marlborough, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon, its experienced solicitors are committed to providing clear, practical advice and outstanding results. Its core services encompass residential property transactions, divorce and family law, commercial law, employment, wills, probate, estate planning and dispute resolution and more.
Fitwoman Pilates – Tailored pilates in person and by subscription, as well as retreats.
Silbury Therapies – Massage Therapist for issues like back ache, neck shoulder pain, sciatica, tension, knee pain, post-operation recuperation, cancer or just for relaxation. Environ Skin Specialist providing Results Driven Facials for anti-ageing. Advanced nutrition programme and Jane Iredale vegan make-up stockist.
Something Chic – Combining her years of experience in personal styling, with a particular focus on European brands, Kristina of Something Chic is bringing her passion for luxurious fashion to you.
Choose from our hand-picked collection of uniquely stylish pieces or visit the Marlborough store for a personally tailored shopping experience.
Please contact if you would like to arrange a personal shopping session.
Specsavers Marlborough – This has been a family-run business for 40 years, working together with its store partners to provide the best value optometry, audiology and other healthcare service for its customers.
The Food Gallery – Coffee shop, gourmet sandwiches, cooked breakfast and cakes – in Marlborough.
It’s our job to feed you well with great flavours, and to serve you excellent and outstanding coffee.
When Bob and Nikki Holman first opened the doors to our shop in 2006, they did so to run an establishment that would provide excellent coffee and sandwiches made with the highest quality ingredients.
They stuck to this aim and we rapidly became the byword for Marlborough’s discerning coffee drinkers.
The best part is that people now use us for many reasons. Flying through at 7am for an on-the-go croissant and coffee, a delicious Eggs Benedict or scrambled eggs with crispy bacon (from 8:30am); a lunchtime scotch egg, freshly made salad or delicious sandwich or panini; or a thirst-quenching afternoon tea with fresh scones, jam and clotted cream.
The Tap – The Tap offers craft beer, wine and cocktails in Marlborough’s Hughenden Yard. It showcases a fantastic selection of beers from a range of independent breweries and has a constantly changing line up of keg and can beers.
Valentiner – Valentiner Shop offers a collection of products for Home, Beauty, Fashion Accessories, Novelty, Gifts and Cookwares in Marlborough.
Williams Dental Practice – The Williams Dental Practice was established in 1987 and is a family-run private practice, with NHS facilities for children. Its dentists, hygienists and dental care professionals are based in its conveniently-located, high street surgeries in Marlborough, Wiltshire and Hungerford, Berkshire. The practice is now a partnership between Amreeta Sanghera B.D.S. MSc and Christopher Williams B.D.S.
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Previous Lead Festival Sponsors
Thank you so much to our 2023 lead sponsor Fermoie – Fermoie was established in Marlborough in 2010, by Farrow & Ball founders Tom Helme and Martin Ephson, and is one of the world’s leading creators of fine fabrics, all designed and made in-house. It now employs 50 people in its design studio, factory and showroom in the town. We are delighted that Fermoie has been an event festival sponsor for 2024 and 2025, supporting LitFest.
Marlborough LitFest would like to thank Sarah Raven for its lead sponsorship support in 2021 and 2022. Their handpicked, top quality range of Bulbs, Seeds, Plants and Garden Kit are tried and tested in Sarah’s garden at Perch Hill in East Sussex to guarantee they are the best for our customers’ gardens. The Sarah Raven head office has been based in Marlborough since 2008, and they employ 70 people from the local community.
Marlborough LitFest would also like to thank its original lead sponsor, Brewin Dolphin, which supported the festival from its first year in 2010 to 2019. The investment management company enabled the Festival to bring a range of authors, literature events and outreach programmes to the town over the first ten years of LitFest.