WANTAGE’S connection with the famous poet Sir John Betjeman is set to be marked with a huge arts festival in his name.

The 10-day extravaganza will feature readings of his poetry, along with theatre, music and film staged in a variety of venues around the town.

Organisers hope the festival, set to open in September 2011, will rival the Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye and attract thousands of the poet’s fans to the town.

Poet Pam Ayres and singer Sandie Shaw have agreed to be patrons.

Sir John, a former Poet Laureate, lived in Wantage from 1951 to 1972.

Wantage resident and a devoted fan of the poet, James Mitchell, is behind preparations for the festival and has been busy trying to raise £20,000 to stage it.

Mr Mitchell, who has lived in the town for 30 years, said: “This is something Wantage really needs. It will be the biggest thing to happen in the town this decade.

“It is important people know about Sir John’s history.

“He was the church warden and wrote two poems about the town, as well as a book.

“At the moment Wantage has lost its identity and it needs something like this to unite people. It would have been something Sir John would have appreciated also, as he enjoyed the visual arts and this will carry his spirit with it.

“We’ve raised some funds already and are now looking to raise more money to make the festival go ahead.”

The poet was born in 1906 in London with the surname ‘Betjemann’ – he dropped the second ‘n’ to make the name seem less Germanic. He studied at Magdalen College, Oxford, in the 20s, but left without completing his degree.

Following his marriage, he moved with his wife Penelope to Uffington, near Faringdon, and started working as a film critic for the Evening Standard.

He had a prolific writing and broadcasting career before settling in Wantage, where he continued to work.

He was knighted in 1969 and made Poet Laureate in 1972. He died in 1984 at his home in Trebetherick, Cornwall.

Sir John wrote two poems about Wantage, Wantage Bells and On Leaving Wantage.

He also wrote a book based in the town, called Archie and the Strict Baptist, and the town’s Betjeman Millennium Park contains a poetry trail of six stones inscribed with lines from some of his work.

Ralph Letcombe, chairman of the Letcombe Brook Charitable Trust which established the park, lives at the poet’s former home, The Mead.

He said: “For many years the town failed to celebrate the life of the poet who made such a significant contribution nationally.

“Anything that marks Sir John’s life is excellent.”

Wantage and Grove county councillor Jenny Hannaby also backed the idea.

She said: “This will really put Wantage on the map – and if there’s anyone who capable of pulling it off it’s Jim, who’s a real enthusiast.”