Big ideas for smallholders

In a celebration of rural life, the Smallholding & Countryside Festival returns to the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells on 21st-22nd May

It’ll be packed full of interesting things to see, taste and sup, live music, country sports, shopping, demonstrations and all kinds of livestock, horses and other animals taking part in a busy two-day

Festival of the century

Montgomery County Music Festival presents its belated Centenary Celebration concert on 13th May at 7.30pm, at eatr Hafren, Newtown. Held over from 2021, the evening will include performances from the Festival Choir, Festival Orchestra and Youth Choir. Tickets are £15 (children/ students £7) from www. montfest.org.uk

QUITE A DAY…

Rock musical American Idiot takes Green Day’s chart-topping 2005 punk rock album and brings it vibrantly to life, following young anti-hero Johnny, the self-proclaimed “Jesus of Suburbia”, and his buddies Will and Tunny as they attempt to break out of their aimless suburban existence.

It’s at e Hafren, Newtown on 25th-26th May at 7.30pm. Tickets £13 from www. thehafren.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW?

New to the festival this year, TV’s Charlie Dimmock will talk ‘Wildlife and Water’ schedule of competitions. Attractions include the Premier Open Dog Show (a quali er for Crufts), a medieval re-enactment camp, a BMX display, the Welsh Festival of Land Rovers and Panic Family Circus. Gates open 9am and tickets cost from £5. www.rwas.wales

Two By Two

ere are many wonderful connections between Bob Dylan and Dylan omas. Listen on 15th May as Je Towns and KG Miles discuss their new book Bob Dylan and Dylan omas: the Two Dylans, a look at the ties that bind these cultural icons. National Library of Wales, 5pm, free. www.library.wales

Aquiet word?

“Whispering” Bob Harris OBE is one of the most trusted and in uential broadcasters of his generation. e writer and presenter has guided the soundtrack of millions for nearly 50 years. Join him in ‘An Evening of Stories and Music’ in conversation with singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph, on 2nd June at eatr Mwldan, Cardigan (7pm, tickets £25). Book at www.mwldan.co.uk

Shaking It Up

Get your Shakespeare x at the Willow Globe (Y Glôb Byw) in Llanwrthwl, near Llandrindod Wells. It’s a living version of the Globe in London, just a third of its size in diameter! 13th May sees e School of Night, improvising one of the Bard’s lost plays (7pm, £12). Expect anything – and expect to get very involved! And on 16th June, Debs Newbold performs Macbeth Retold (7pm, £15, child £7.50) – fresh, playful work that gets deep under the skin. Book at www.shakespearelink.org.uk/productions

•9th June, Fleetwood Shack, The Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells On their debut UK tour, the band celebrates the music, the feel and the mysticism of Fleetwood Mac. 8pm. Tickets from £17.

•10th June, Barmouth 10k 2023 Run across the iconic Barmouth Bridge on probably the most picturesque 10k in the UK! Organised by Barmouth Striders, who run social events as well as training sessions. 11am. First 300 entrants £22/£20, then £25/£23.

•11th June, Open Farm Sunday, Gelli Aur Farm, Llandeilo See the dairy herd being milked, view agricultural machinery, find out about ground-breaking research projects, explore environmental management and engage in have-a-go activities. Noon-4pm. Free.

•17th June, Gin Tasting, Montgomery Town Hall Ticket includes tasting notes describing each gin and a light supper –drinks are charged extra.

Raising funds for Montgomery School and Middleton Church. 7pm. Tickets £15 in advance.

•25th June, Garden Open Day, Tyn-y-Graig, Bwlch y Ffridd, Newtown A glorious garden with views of the surrounding hills, a variety of borders, a hectare of meadow with woodland and large pond, managed for biodiversity. 11am. Adults £4.50, children free.

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

•1st May, Guided Bluebell Walks, Arley Hall, Northwich Enjoy birdsong and wide carpets of bluebells in the magnificent Big Wood, which is not usually open to visitors. 11am & 2pm. £22 (child £10), booking essential.