IN the weeks prior to the Hay Festival, the small town preens itself for the influx of thousands of visitors with money in their pocket.

Shopfronts are re-painted, heads are down, and box loads of stock arrives.

The banks stack up the cash ready to be spent over the road.

"It's a bit like Trumpton," one gallery worker said.

A glittering array of guests is programmed for this, the 18th festival, including Jane Fonda, Goldie Hawn, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Terry Pratchett, Zadie Smith, Sting, William Hague, Tony Benn and Welsh favourite Max Boyce.

If you're an avid reader then you'll want to hang on every word of Jeanette Winterson, Ian McEwan, Kazuo Ishiguro and the like, but there is plenty to be involved with aside from literature, with a strong foodie theme, current affairs and green issues to the fore.

There is also a custom-built state-of-the-art cinema showing an interesting selection of films for the first time.

Festival director Peter Florence, while juggling with the arrival of new twins, is as committed as ever to new writers.

First time novelist Tiffany Murray - who is appearing on Saturday at 4pm with Diana Evans and Audrey Niffenegger - is hugely appreciative of this support.

"He must get plenty of fourth and fifth time writers clambering to get in, yet he is consistently excited by new work.

"It's wonderful he's so encouraging about writers from the local area."

There are several new fiction slots in the 10-day programme, and for readers looking for new pastures, this could be a goldmine.

This is what a literature festival should be about - discussion and ideas.

Having said that, it's a treat to hear elder statesman like journalist Bill Deedes, politician Tony Benn or Nobel prize-winner, atomic scientist Joseph Rotblat.

The music is a welcome sidekick to some of the heavyweight daytime programming, and this year sees Elvis Costello, Jools Holland and Bill Bailey headlining, with a programme of classical and world music in addition.

Local artists Jean Miller and Rosanna Westwood will throw open their houses to the milling crowds, adding to the flavour of things.

Jean didn't begin to paint until the age of 60, and her colourful oil paintings have proved a hit in previous years.

Two hours a week at the local community centre led to a full-time hobby turned profession; her former life as a dancer-turned-actress lending itself to the boldness of her style.

Selling to Redgraves and Wesker has led to an array of correspondence from all over the world.

"It think it's the fact that there's this old lady painter in the middle of town that they love."

Photographer Rosanna loves the people she gets to meet during festival week. She too will be selling from home at 7 Brecon Road.

Festival favourite Daniel Crawshaw will be showing a collection of his new landscapes at The Gallery, above 37 Lion Street.

You could devote a day to art alone.

Tiffany Murray, shortlisted for this year's Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse prize for comic fiction, will be resident throughout the week, teaching A-level students from Wales on the Beacon Project.

Harper Collins has published early paperback copies of her novel, Happy Accidents, to coincide with the festival.

Check out the Guardian Hay Festival programme at www.hayfestival.com or call 0870 990 1299.

I recommend browsing the message board just to get into the spirit of things - it will also fend off any nervousness about venturing to the festival for the first time!

It begins tonight (Thursday) with Max Boyce and runs to Sunday, June 5.