Sponsors and supporters
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 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
Main Event Sponsor
St Marys and St Margaret's Calne
St Mary's and St Margaret's Calne are two of Wiltshire’s leading independent schools, sharing a 27-acre campus in Calne. St Mary’s Calne has been a pioneer of girls’ education since 1873 and is one of the top boarding and day schools for girls in the UK. St Margaret’s is a nursery and prep school for boys and girls aged 2 to 11 years old, where every child can explore, grow and flourish academically and personally. At the heart of the schools is the stunning award-winning Lumi Library, where a love of books and reading for pleasure and for academic study flourishes.
Founder Sponsor
Robert Hiscox
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)
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.
Fine & Country – Fine & Country Marlborough & Devizes specialises in the marketing and sale of exceptional homes throughout Marlborough, Devizes and the surrounding Wiltshire countryside. We are proud to sponsor the Marlborough Literary Festival, one of the town’s most celebrated cultural events, as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the vibrant community, rich heritage and unique lifestyle that make this area such a wonderful place to call home! www.fineandcountry.com
Hamilton Trust – Hamilton Trust is an Oxford-based educational charity which published plans for maths, English, science and Topics on its website, though this is now owned and managed by Oxford Brookes University; 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. The Trust is also pleased to support Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School. www.hamilton-trust.org.uk
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. www.mcfarlaneproperty.com
The Little Gallery – The Little Gallery is delighted to support Marlborough LitFest and the celebration of creativity, storytelling and ideas that it brings to the town each year. As an independent gallery, we are passionate about showcasing original artwork and creating a welcoming space for inspiration and conversation. We are proud to support a festival that celebrates culture, community and creativity in all its forms. www.thelittlegallery.co.uk
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. www.william-golding.co.uk
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General Sponsors and Grants
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.
Haine & Smith Opticians – Haine & Smith is a family run independent opticians based in Wiltshire; we provide personal, attentive care you can rely on. At Haine & Smith, we look after your vision and hearing as if you were family.
Cocklebury Farm – Cocklebury Farm provides individual luxury accommodation at the heart of the Pewsey Vale.
Marlborough Town Council is pleased to support Marlborough LitFest, taking place in the heart of our friendly, historic, beautiful market town.
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Festival Partners
Marlborough St Mary’s CE Primary School
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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.