Dylan Thomas, the celebrated Welsh writer, has a lot to answer for, most of them good. His most famous work is 'Under Milkwood' which was based in a small fictitious village loosely modelled on Laugharne near Carmarthen in South Wales. The legend of Thomas lives on with the annual Laugharne Weekend Festival, held this year from 9th - 11th April and featuring some leading lights from the world of literature, music and comedy. An attractive part of the world it is too.

The vast majority of appearances can be purchased separately (and we will come to those in a second) but you can take the plunge and purchase a Weekend Ticket for just £50. This covers the whole programme EXCEPT the three Boathouse gigs (one of which is sold out already) but still constitutes incredible value - especially when you see the guests appearing during the three days. Please note that several venues throughout the village are used for the presentations - the Boathouse ones are listed at the end of each day.

Friday 9th April sees music journalist-cum-comedy writer David Quantick, rock-journo Nick Kent, Scottish acoustic songwriter Alasdair Roberts and Jayhawks' founder-member Mark Olson providing the entertainment as well as Laugharne's Got Talent presented by Keith Allen, a chance for the local residents to prove to all and sundry that they have more creative and show-biz credibility than the chumps on TV's talent shows (runs for 3 nights in the local Rugby club boozer, The Fountain). The Boathouse session comes courtesy of 'The Commitments' and 'A Star Called Henry' novelist and screen-writer, Roddy Doyle.

Saturday welcomes a star-studded cast of the infamous Howard Marks, literary druid and rock-star Julian Cope, humourous writer and broadcaster Stuart Maconie, alt-folk singer Fionn Regan, Slit's songwriting queen Viv Albertine and Gorky's Richard James all giving musical or verbal (or both) recitals. The Boathouse session has now reached its capacity - not surprisingly since it features KLF frontman and writer Bill Drummond.

Finally to Sunday and the Manic's Nicky Wire, folk-legend Martin Carthy, young British novelist Toby Litt, writer and sound-recorder Will Hodgkinson and ex-members of The Fall (as The Fallen) all presenting their literary and life experiences. Fionn Regan will perform at the Boathouse during the day.

Most tickets are under a tenner so get clicking quickly before they sell out!