BROAD SHEEP APRIL 2019 by Broadsheep

BROAD sheep

april 2019

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On - Herefordshire & The Marches

sheep

BROAD Contents 4 Williams’ Witterings 6 7 Letters 8 Art Art workshops 14 Cinema 20 Dance 26 Food 28 Music 30 Music workshops 48 Band directory 52 Theatre 54 Word 58 Grass roots 62 Comp therapies 64 Small Ads

We take no responsibility for the veracity of the information herein Clare Edwards The Lodge, Westhide, Hereford, HR1 3RQ Tel: 01432 850444

A Short History of Recorded Music T

HIS looks like an ordinary Pete editorial, but in fact it’s a cunningly worded attempt to sell you stuff. Think of me as one of those annoying so and so’s that phone you up at 11.30 in the morning just as you are about to slip the back wheel, with its puncture mended, into your electric bike while holding the derailleur gears to one side with your right hand making sure the wires don’t get snagged with your left hand and clutching the spanner in your teeth. Tring - tring. “Hello sir, is that Mr Mustill I’m talking to? How are your sir? I am phoning to tell you, you have been selected from thousands of applicants to be offered an amazing deal today sir”. “You complete bastard, I’d nearly got that wheel in and I only answered the phone because I thought it was important and now I’ve got to start again from scratch”. Anyway, I’m like one of those blokes, but you won’t know what I’m trying to flog you till you get to the end of this article.

78’s The first record player we had was a wind-up and all the brittle, shellac 78’s were from before the war. My favourite was ‘I’m the driver of the 8.15. While you read your papers and smoke your fags, I’m in overalls stuffed with oily rags’. If you’ve seen our band Little Rumba you’ll know we are still singing about trains and buses 65 years later so it must have made a big impression. Then my parents bought a radiogram and suddenly buying records became my major preoccupation. They were 78’s but made of plastic and not shellac. The Goons ‘Ying Tong Song’ was quickly followed by my first serious music purchase, ‘Dead or Alive’ by Lonnie Donnegan. The gang in our street spent a lot of time sitting in ‘the hollow tree’ discussing the relative merits of Lonnie and Elvis. It was a bit like the Brexit argument. In 1957 my beloved Auntie Ivy (she actually worked in a toy shop!) bought me the whole top ten on 78’s. It was a bit of a mixed bag, but contained some real gems - ‘Ma He’s Making Eyes at Me’ by the Johnny Otis Show. ‘Reet Petite’ by Jackie Wilson and ‘Peggy Sue’ by Buddy. But also ‘Kisses Sweeter than Wine’ by Frankie Vaughan and ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ by Harry Belafonte - YUUK! 45’s Now it was time to join the modern world, get down the record shop and start buying. I can’t believe they actually let snotty 10 year olds take the record and listen to it on a record player in a little booth before deciding to buy. Anyway that period of my life was dominated by Elvis and the best one was ‘The Jailhouse Rock E.P.’ In fact, it was my big sister who bought the record, but I became so obsessed by it that I actually wore the grooves out. It became so unplayable that I had to go and buy her another one for four bob.

L.P.’s The 1960’s was a glorious decade to be obsessed with music in. From the Shadows to discovering the blues to the Beatles, Dylan, Stones to the psychedlic madness of Hendrix and the Grateful Dead. I loved every minute of it except the wasted hours I was forced to spend in the classroom. I guess if I had to pick one record out it would be ‘The Blues Volume I’ from 1963 which featured an extraordinary collection of artists - Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Little Walter, Jimmy Witherspoon, Buddy Guy and Otis Rush. I just pulled it out of my collection now and it’s sitting on the table in front of me. What a record. Email: info@broadsheep.com Website: www.broadsheep.com

Cassette Tapes I am completely gobsmacked to be told that cassette tapes are suddenly trendy again. I can understand why L.P.’s are back because they sound so great, but cassettes are just another unattractive feature of the 70’s like Raleigh Choppers, Space Hoppers and Prog-Rock. It was an awful lot of fun making up your own mix-tapes but it was an awful lot of misery untangling them from the cassette players that had just eaten them and trying to stuff the tape back into the boxes without ruining them only to discover they wouldn’t play anyway. Also they sounded pretty shit unless you got off on the sound of a bag of puff-adders. C.D.’s I love C.D.’s. CDR’s are much better than cassettes for making your own mix records. C.D.’s are great in the car. My current favourite car music is Whiskey Moon Face. I quote from the lyrics ‘There’s a dead dog in your bed you can’t sleep in your bed cos’ there’s a dead dog in it.’ Also C.D.’s are a great way for bands to make a bit of money selling them at gigs. Unless you are Ed Sheeran Spotify is not a good way to make any money at all. And so we finally get round to the sales pitch. Our band, Little Rumba is so keen on C.D.’s we are running a series of gigs where we give you a free C.D. with every ticket. Don’t worry, if you already have all Little Rumba C.D.’s, you can take another one away and give it to your favourite friend. Brilliant. Tickets are £10 and I expect to see every Broad Sheep reader at every gig. We are at The Falcon Hotel, Bromyard on Saturday 13th April, tickets from The Falcon. Leominster Community Centre on Friday 26th April, tickets from Leominster TIC and The Hub in New Radnor on Sunday 9th June. You can phone 01544 267163 to reserve tickets for any of those dates. Now where did I put that spanner? Cover pic: Carousel: Herefordshire Life Through a Lens. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, Playhouse Cinema Leominster, Market Theatre Ledbury and Wellington VH - 3, 6, 18 & 25 April

small ads ACCORDION LESSONS Beginners welcome. Tel 01584 831386, noriscafe@yahoo.com EXPLORING YOUR CREATIVE SELF A two day course focused on connecting you with your creative and playful self. Whether you are an artist or maker in need of a fresh perspective or someone who has never considered themselves to be creative, this course is for you. Using clay and drawing materials, I will facilitate sessions to help you break through blocks and give structure and support to your free exploration. No previous clay or drawing experience is required and all materials are included. 27-28 April, 18-19 May 2019. Course cost £150. Venue will be in Orcop, Herefordshire. www.sheilaherring.blogsop.com for further details. Sheila@sheilaherring.co.uk

BLACKSMITHING EVENING CLASSES MORNING CLASSES AND SHORT COURSES at Bluefoot Forge. For details, phone 01544 267810. info@wherethelightgetsin.co.uk or visit www.wherethelightgetsin.co.uk P/T OR OCCASIONAL WORK WANTED Cheerful, fit, educated, mature woman seeks employment. Clean driving licence, DBS checked. Anything considered from office/ business support to house sitting including driving, gardening and dog walking. Phone Katie 01547 520328.

LIGHT, INDOOR STUDIO TO RENT NEAR TITLEY. Price negotiable. Carrie 01544 387923.

CHAIR RUSH AND CANE SEATS. Furniture repairs. Paul Richards 01544 209140.

HUMANIST CELEBRANT Non-religious ceremonies, personal and welcoming, written just for you. Namings and weddings. Rachel Buchanan, tel 07813 612033, rachelonthehill@gmail.com, trained and accredited by Humanists UK.

CATERING CROCKERY, CUTLERY AND GLASSWARE FOR HIRE. Up to 100 settings. Contact Ruth on 01544 350559 or 07870 752325.

WYNNES OF DINMORE COUNTRYSTORE Tea room, Poultry, Pygmy Goats, Supplies & Housing. Tuesday Saturday 9am-4.30pm. Wynnes.co.uk 01568 797314 BEES, BEES, BEES! Are you interested in keeping bees but don’t know how to start? Our ‘Bee Ready’ weekend course can provide you with the basic knowledge you need, plenty of encouragement and the opportunity to handle bees before getting your own. Held on our family-run smallholding, and with lunch and tea provided on both days, learning is easy-paced, with small groups giving plenty of time for questions. Now taking bookings for our next course on May 18th and 19th - please phone on 01886 884752/07813 276308 or email woodruffbank@btinternet.com. HANCOCK & MONKS MUSIC, 6 Broad Street, Hay-on-Wye. Tel: 01591 610555. Specialists in recorded and printed Classical Music for over 40 years. Huge stock of secondhand CDs, sheet music, scores and books on music. Open daily 10.30am - 4.30pm. Online catalogue at www.hancockandmonksmusic.co.uk VIOLIN & VIOLA LESSONS given by experienced professional in Presteigne. All abilities and styles taught. John Hymas 07969 440183. LEARN GUITAR (ACOUSTIC OR ELECTRIC) Individual tuition for adults 16 plus, music graduate, professional guitarist. Whatever level, you’ll learn songs or music you enjoy. 07729 059847, 01584 876584, paul.wrightson@gmail.com PIANO TUNER AND TECHNICIAN Based in Llanidloes, serving Mid-Wales. Please contact Matt 01686 412753 or 07843 440789 or email vicky@mousematt.net

HAYSTACKS MUSIC, Backfold, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5EQ. Tel: 07527 298199. Headline making independent music shop only a one minute walk from the main car park. A destination shop packed with new and machine cleaned vinyl records, CDs, books and more. 1000’s of items £4 or less.

VIOLINIST & TEACHER - Emma Gardiner. Technique is your tool for creative expression! emmagardinerviolin@gmail.com 077305 71882.

JAZZ PIANO TUITION A specially created course for beginners through to intermediate level students. Also coaching for Associated Board jazz exams. Presteigne/Knighton, but happy to travel. Simon Deeley, 07890 303681. simon.deeley@aol.com TREE PRUNING SERVICES From one branch to an entire orchard. Tel: 01544 260656. PIANO LESSONS. Lavinia O’Meagher, LRAM, has been a senior tutor at the Music Department of the City Literary Institute in London, and had long experience of teaching adult amateurs of all grades, from beginners to postgraduate students and professionals. She has given recitals for many years. She is a performing and teaching member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians. 01547 510 355. laviniaomeagher@gmail.com PRESTEIGNE POP CHOIR Every Thursday. Contact John Hymas for details: 07969 440183, john@johnhymas.com WANTED URGENTLY VINTAGE CLOTHING for male/ female, plus accessories including jewellery, shoes, etc. Also wanted: quality curtains, lace and textiles, even damaged. Plus designer clothing including male/female... tweeds, evening dresses etc. Also unusual items including fans etc. Please telephone: Annie 07798 632247. Teagowns and Textiles. annies.30@hotmail.com VIOLIN/VIOLA LESSONS All styles, all ages, beginners to advanced. Help with composition, theory, aural training. Accompaniment also offered. Ring Tony on 01544 321925 or visit his website: http://camelmusic.co.uk for a CV and more information. ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS FROM ONLY 50P PER WEEK 1000 direct unique hits per month, top of the page on Google when you type in Presteigne, all administrative work done by volunteers, project is not for profit. SUPPORT YOUR TOWN WEBSITE. Very cheap rates: 50p per week, or full page £1 per week. For more information go to www.presteigne.org.uk, email jtennanteyles@gmail.com or telephone James Tennant-Eyles on 01544 267363. A STITCH IN TIME Careful repairs & creative alterations to well-loved clothes. Vintage a speciality. Anne 01544 267997.

williams’ witterings

Keeping it Local M

ANY of us incomers to God’s Own Country – and incomers we still are – arrived here during an informal hippie diaspora from London in the early 1970s, pursuing an unspoken ambition to ‘get it together in the country’ which meant driving west and, so goes the joke, the Marches is where the petrol ran out. But lots of us self-declared old hippies have stayed and now of pensionable age if not actually drawing pensions – because golf and coffee mornings lack appeal – we can’t think of anything more interesting to do but work. And in staying here, we began organising festivals, gigs, film and drama societies and sometimes local socio-political stuff like community centres, recycling schemes, saving threatened libraries or opposing monster intensive poultry units and landscape-scarring windfarms. Such behaviour, however well-intentioned, can attract accusations of interference with the natural order of rural life, and in some cases ‘Nimbyism’, accusations not always entirely unfounded. But my answer to these criticisms is that without such initiatives and invariably doing the heavy lifting, and almost always without financial reward, generally speaking we incomers have benefitted the common good. But then again, is that just for the ‘common good’ of incomers, or the full social bandwidth of the villages, towns and surrounding countryside we homed in on many decades ago? It’s a question that now troubles me and here’s why. As well as scribbling film reviews for Broad Sheep, every month I travel around the Marches delivering copies of this mighty organ to those self-same towns and villages and particularly these past few years I’ve noticed the cultural and economic fabric of the Marches gradually changing, and not in a good way. The nationally bemoaned attrition of high streets is especially evident hereabouts, with banks closing, independent retailers and even betting shops and pubs putting up the shutters whilst charity shops and food banks proliferate. I wanted to resist naming particular burghs for fear of alienating well-meaning residents, but I find it

extraordinary that a town of almost 3000 citizens like Builth Wells no longer has a post office, and the similarly sized Llanidloes now lacks a bank… or anyone rallying round to prevent Powys County Council closing its library. The threats to banks, post-offices and now libraries are often justified by lack of footfall which, in my cynical view, is deliberately orchestrated by reducing opening hours, underscored by the claim that we – whoever ‘we’ are – now do our banking and apparently live our lives largely via the internet. But banks, post-offices, newsagents and libraries are, or were, crucibles for social intercourse – something we rather took for granted – and on my rounds I love hearing people chatting away in such institutions that still remain. And for older, non-digitised, less mobile folk, the decline of independent shops is another bewildering blow, but the fact is that many of us incomers, and quite a few indigenous residents, would rather drive 15–25 miles to a big supermarket than do their weekly shop on high streets that are clinging on by their fingernails. (And yet when helping fight off outline planning permission for a supermarket in my own town two years ago, I did a ‘secret shopper’ exercise at Llandod’s Tesco with a like-for-like basket of groceries from our local high street, which was actually 2% cheaper, didn’t involve the driving and would invariably be more sociable). Ordering online and getting Tesco’s or Sainsbury’s (diesel fuming) vans to deliver is equally damaging to our high streets and as can been witnessed in Builth, Kington etc., etc., when local independent shops disappear, they’re gone for good. The same goes for pubs which close because more of us do our drinking at home and our socialising at amusing little dinner parties – or on smartphones. Clearly one can argue that the decline and potential disappearance of thriving high streets and public facilities is inevitable and our lives are now better served by online shopping… and Netflix. Indeed as we ancient ex-movers and shakers literally die off or wear out, we may not be replaced by younger generations who see any point in keeping the banks, the post offices, the libraries and the pubs open, especially if it means taking on citybased corporations, p r i v a t i s e d public services and obdurate if cash-strapped county councils. But I hope that’s not so. And in the meantime never was the adage ‘Use it or lose it’ more apt. Mark Williams

Letters In Praise of Lidl

Pete is absolutely right (Shopping and Disinformation; Broad Sheep, March). If you are planning a clandestine visit to any of the local supermarkets, go well prepared and have a good cover story. I am fortunate in living within walking distance of the Hereford branch of Lidl, which boasts a wine selection that is second to none amongst the county’s supermarkets (where else can you get a genuine bottle of Tuscan Chianta Riserva for £6.99?) Top Tip No 1: go armed with a well-used hessian carrier bag, advertising something obscure like the Moccas Leek Hurling Festival. Top Tip No 2: under NO circumstances wear your newly-acquired UKIP lapel badge, as Hereford’s Lidl is a popular destination with East European fruit pickers, who turn up in mini-bus loads. Top Tip No 3: head for the back of the store, where you will find a huge stack of 8ft long Taiwanese-made rechargeable electric hedge trimmers at £8.99p. Now head for the check-out, furtively picking up half-a dozen bottles of Chianti on the way. Top Tip No 4: should you bump into a neighbour while queuing at the check-out, don’t use Pete’s “women’s things” excuse, lest they think you’re headed down the trans-gender route. The only snag is we’ve now got 8 hedge trimmers in our garden shed. Nick Jones, Hereford

Dear editor, I read with some interest and mirth about the shenanigans one can engage oneself in to disguise the fact that one has visited a supermarket in another town, nay, another country even, when one returns home to the supermarket-less town of Presteigne without shame. Pete’s editorial does however, perhaps intentionally, perhaps not, underline the fact that Presteigne needs a supermarket as a large proportion of Presteigne on lower incomes are the very people who can least afford to shop fully in the high street or to travel to supermarkets elsewhere. Even those who can afford to shop in town use a supermarket for bulk buys etc, some at the same time as objecting to a supermarket in Presteigne. There’s a word for that. A supermarket in town would give access to wider variety to a wider demographic, it would sharpen up some elements of the high street, people will not be leaving town to shop and with the right choice of supermarket people will be attracted to Presteigne to the benefit of the high street. Kayes site is the ideal position for a supermarket but I recently heard an ugly rumour that someone had bought the site with the specific purpose of preventing a supermarket. If true, there is a word for that too! Pete Smith. Bluefoot forge.

art POWYS St Michael’s Church, Discoed, near Presteigne LD8 2NW www.discoed.org Until 22 April ‘The Seven Last Words’. The sixth Lent exhibition. Guided as in previous years by Charles MacCarthy, fourteen artists have been asked to respond to the ‘Words’, making a sequence similar to the Stations of the Cross. Featured artists include CAROLYN BLAKE, JULIENNE BRAHAM, NICK BUSH, YVONNE CROSSLEY, SIMON DORRELL, NICKY HOPWOOD, CIARA LEWIS, VIV LUXTON, ROGER LUXTON, CHARLES MACCARTHY, PETE MACKENZIE, KATIE SIMS, ANTONIA SPOWERS AND JANE TUDGE. Open 10am-5pm. Sidney Nolan Trust, The Rodd, Presteigne LD8 2LL 01544 260149 19 April - 25 June ‘Nolan’s Time At The Rodd’. Selected pieces from Nolan’s extensive body of innovative work 1983-1992. 19 April - 29 Sept ‘The Rodd: It’s Landscape, Architecture and People’. An exhibition in the former Grade II home of Sir Sidney and Lady Nolan. Open Wed-Fri 11am-4.30pm, Sat, Sun & Bank Holiday Mon 12pm-4.30pm. Closed Mon/Tues. Adults £5, gift aid £5.50, concessions £2.50, £2.75 gift aid, F/T students £2.50, under 16s free. Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk 27 & 28 April Wonderwool Wales. Vibrant, annual wool and natural fibres showcase. 200 quality stalls, special exhibitions and learn skills from an expert. Woolschools on needle felting, spinning, braiding and more. Open Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm, £10 adults, weekend ticket £18, under 16s free. Tower House Gallery, 29 High St, Knighton LD7 1AT 01547 529530 April ‘Spring at Last’. Hares and flowers. Paintings, ceramics, bronzes, wood and loads of cards ready for Easter. Museum opens on 31 March. Wed-Sat 10am-4.30pm. Court Cupboard Gallery, New Court Farm, Llantillio Pertholey, Abergavenny NP7 8AU 01873 852011 Until 9 May OLWEN THOMAS ceramics CAROLINE REES - paper cutting and glass. 10.30am-4pm daily.

Assembly Rooms, Presteigne 20 April Courtyard Antiques at The Assembly Rooms, 9am-2pm. Erwood Station Gallery, Llandeilo Graban, Builth Wells, LD2 3SJ 01982 560674 April A constantly changing mix of materials and styles occupying over 2000 square feet. Complimented by paintings and sculpture, plus seasonal exhibitions. Open daily 10.30am-5pm, tea room closes 4.30pm. Mid Wales Arts Centre, Caersws, near Newtown 01686 688369 Until 5 May ‘Poems and Prints’. Prints to inspire poetry. Poems inspired by prints. ANDREW BALDWIN - printmaking with non toxic mediums for intaglio printmaking. Open Thurs-Sun 10am-4pm. Knighton Fine Art, 2 Broad Street, Knighton 01547 528052 www.knightonfineart.co.uk knightonfineart@btinternet.com April C20th British Artists. JOHN BRATBY, JOHN BRUNSDON, ROY DURRANT, GRAHAM EVERNDEN, JOHN HALL THORPE, ALICE MILLER PARKER, JOHN PIPER, ROLAND PITCHFORTH, MARY POTTER, LINCOLN PUGH JENKINS, DAVID SMITH, ROBERT TAVERNER, FELIKS TOPOLSKI, KEITH VAUGHAN. British art, crafts and greeting cards. Wed-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm. The School House Gallery, The Bleddfa Centre, near Knighton, LD7 1PA 01547 550377 19 April - 31 May ‘Landscapes’. LOIS HOPWOOD - drawings, paintings, sculpture and film. Open Sat & Sun 11am-5pm and Fri & Mon on Bank Holidays. The Hay Makers, St John’s Place, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5BN 01497 820556 Until 12 May Easter exhibition. RODNEY LAWRENCE - ceramics. ELIZABETH RAEBURN - ceramic sculpture. JAMIE POOLE - collage pictures. HOLLY BELSHER jewellery. Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Closed on Tues & Sun until - mid March. Andrew Lamont Gallery, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, Canal Wharf, Brecon 01874 611622 Until 23 April ‘Wild Things’. TESSA WAITE. Open theatre times.

Minerva Arts Centre, Llanidloes 01686 413467 Until 13 April Vintage Style Spring 2019. Sale exhibition of textiles, clothes, china and ephemera from yesteryears. 19 April - 1 May ‘Here We Go Again’. MID WALES EMBROIDERERS. 4 May - 1 June ‘Wild’. Art Textiles Made in Britain Group. Open 10.30am-4.30pm. Closed Sun. Cheese & Butter Market, Hay-on-Wye 07866 843538 Every Fri & Sat Flea & Vintage Market. Vintage clothing, bric a brac, antiques and jewellery. Open 9am-5pm. The Workhouse Studio, Presteigne Industrial Estate 01544 267864 April Rare antique carpets and kilims. Cafe. Mon-Sat 10am-4pm. Wyeside, Castle St, Builth Wells 01982 552555 Tues-Fri 5-9pm, Sat & Sun 2-9pm. The Table, 43 Lion St, Hay-on-Wye 01497 822802 www.thetablehay.com Until 20 April KAREN BIRKIN & SOPHIE WINDHAM. 27 April - 18 May ‘Nature, Nurture, Nudes’. Open Thurs-Sat 10am-4pm. The Drawing Room, 10 High Town, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AE gallery@thedrawingroomathay.uk 11 - 28 April ‘What Do You Think You’re Looking At?’ CARL ARROYO - abstract paintings. SAM HUGHES - soundscape. Open Thurs-Sat 10.30am-4pm., Sun 11am-3pm. Rhayader Museum & Gallery, CARAD, East St, Rhayader, LD6 5ER 01597 810561 12 April - 1 June ‘Rock, Root, River’. Installations, soundscapes and film of Elan’s living landscapes. Open TuesFri 10am-4pm, most Sats 10am-12pm. Museum of Modern Art, Tabernacle, Heol Penrallt, Machynlleth SY20 8AJ 01654 703355 info@moma.machynlleth.org.uk Until 6 April ‘Strata’. PHILIP HUCKIN. Until 6 April ‘ Interventions 2019’. Culture Colony. Until 4 May Past Winners of the Tabernacle Art Competition. Until 4 May ‘People’. Portraits and figures from the Tabernacle Collection. 13 April - 22 June ‘The Lost Whaling Stations of the Sub-Antarctic’. THEO CRUTCHLEY-MACK - paintings. Mon-Sat 10am-4pm.

Deb Catesby, The Chapel, Bromyard

Sabina RĂźber, Aardvark Books, Brampton Bryan

Jacs Collins, Abstract Edge, Bucknell

Mark de la Torre, Tinsmiths, Ledbury

Warren Elsmore, Hereford Musuem & Art Gallery

Allison Neal, Apple Store Gallery, Hereford

Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown 01686 625041 6 April - 5 June ‘In Between the Folds are Particles’. ANNA FALCINI. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm. HEREFORDSHIRE Community Centre, Wellington HR4 8AZ 01432 830097 27 & 28 April ‘Wellington Art Exhibition’. Affordable art. Original paintings by local Herefordshire artists. Open Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm. Tea, coffee and cakes. St Mary’s Church, Church St, Kington 01544 230525 www.marchesmakers.co.uk 4 - 6 May Marchers Makers Festival. PETER HORROCKS, NICK HOLMES, REBECCA FINNEY, SHARON HALL SHIPP, RUTH KIRKBY, ANTONIA SPOWERS, ANDY TOBIN, ANDY MITCHELL, HADDON OAK, NANCY FROST, TONY HALL, DAVE MULLIN, JAMES BURNETT STUART, CLARE CONRAD, ANGELA SOULIER, DEBORAH, KING, DEBBY MARSH, CHRISSIE NASH, ZOE WRIGHT, ALYS WALL, CLAIR MURPHY, NICOLA HOPWOOD, DAVID KIRBY, JACQUELINE SEYMOUR, MARCUS HENKE, AMBROSE BURNE, ADAM WATSON. The Old Police Station, Market Hall St, Kington www.marchesmakers.co.uk 4 - 6 May Marchers Makers Festival. A selection of artists and makers: paintings, print making, unusual lamps, textiles, jewellery, ceramics. Leg of Mutton Gallery, 17 Duke St, Kington 01544 231563 www.marchesmakers.co.uk 4 - 6 May Marchers Makers Festival. ANDREW EASTWOOD & SHANNON DONOVAN - ceramics. Open Sat 11am-6pm, Sun & Mon 11am-5pm.

Hergest Croft Gardens, Ridgebourne Rd, Kington HR5 3EG 01544 230160 www.marchesmakers.co.uk 4 - 6 May Marchers Makers Festival. Outdoor sculpture display. Open Sat & Sun 12-5.30pm, Mon 10am-5.30pm, £6.50 including access to gardens. Border Bean Cafe, High St, Kington 01544 231625 www.marchesmakers.co.uk 4 - 6 May Marchers Makers Festival. Display of paintings from the LOVE Project. Open Sat 9am-5pm, Sun & Mon 10am-4pm. Penrhos Court, Lyonshall HR5 3LH 01544 230007 www.marchesmakers.co.uk 4 - 6 May Marches Makers Festival. Outdoor sculpture display. Open 10am-4pm. Various High Street Shops, Kington www.marchesmakers.co.uk 4 - 6 May Window displays of art and crafts by Marches Makers members. Hereford Museum & Art Gallery, Broad St, Hereford 01432 260692 Until 18 May ‘BrickHistory’. Lego works created by WARREN ELLESMORE. Famous moments from history, from DNA, Mozart, Martin Luther King all made with Lego. Open Mon-Thurs & Sat 10am-4pm, Fri 10am-6.30pm, Sun 14 April 10am4pm. Adults £3.50, children £2, under 5s free, family £8.50. Berrington Hall, Leominster HR6 0DW www.nationaltrust.org.uk Until 30 April ‘Pleasure Grounds’. Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma Art & Design students in response to the iconic walled garden and pleasure grounds of Berrington. Throughout 2019 ‘Look, Look, Look!’ 18th Century inspired art installation by HEATHER & IVAN MORISON. Open daily 10am-5pm.

Paul Powis, Greenstage Gallery, Fresh Art Fair, Cheltenham Racecourse

Hereford College of Arts, Folly Lane & College Rd Campus, Hereford 01432 273359 1 May University Level BA (Hons) Degrees Open Day at College Rd Campus, 11am. 9 April & 15 May College Level (post GCSE), Foundation Diploma & Portfolio Course at Folly Lane Campus, 6pm. 2 May MA Open Evening Contemporary Crafts and Fine Art at College Rd Campus, 5pm. Tinsmiths, 8A High St, Ledbury 01531 632083 Until 29 April ‘Prints, Pots & Plants’. A joint exhibition by artist, illustrator and printmaker, ANGIE LEWIN and potter, MARK DE LA TORRE. The two share an interest and draw inspiration from the plant world; Angie taking this as the subject for her work and Mark creating pots to plant into or that use leaves to decorate the clay surface. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm. Market Hall, Kington 07867 483135 20 April Art and Crafts by local designer makers. Paper art, handbags, waistcoats and other textiles, paintings, prints and cards, ironmongery, alpaca products, jewellery, turned wood, ceramics, glassware and more. 9.30am-3pm. Plus KLEEN Repair Cafe on site. 4 - 5 May Marchers Makers Festival. Live demonstrations by TONY HALL, LEWIS GOLDWATER, JANE O’CONNOR, PAUL BAINES. Open Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Tobias James Art & Framing Gallery, St Owen St, Hereford 07760 316959 April Works by local and national artists.

Wobage Makers Gallery, Upton Bishop, Ross on Wye HR9 7QP 01989 780495 April Contemporary craft work by makers BEN CASSON - furniture and treen. CLYDE HOARE - baskets and willow weaving. CLAIR HODGSON silver, gold and precious stone jewellery. PATIA DAVIS, SHEILA HERRING, ANDREW McGARVA, JEREMY STEWARD, PETRA STEWARD - ceramics. CLARE McGARVA - textiles. Open Thurs-Sat 10am-5pm. South Chapel, All Saint’s Church, Hereford 01432 370414 5 - 7 April ‘Ferrous’. Festival of Artist Blacksmithing. 8 - 13 April THE GOLDEN VALLEY CRAFT SOCIETY. 29 April - 4 May SIAN THOMAS handmade stained glass. PREETI THAPA - Nepalese handicrafts. 6 - 11 May ‘Love Zimbabwe’. Fairtrade arts, crafts and charity information. Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm. The Courtyard, Hereford 01432 340555 Until 29 April ‘Shared Freedom, Shared Future’. Students from Whitecross School, Hereford. Open theatre times.

The

Lost words

Mike Gell, Contemporary British Jewellery, 3 East Street, Hereford. 01432 278226 Jewellery, silverware and studio glass by more than 70 designers. Open Mon - Sat,10am - 5pm. Weavers Gallery, Church Lane, Ledbury 07881 926661 20 - 28 April Ledbury Lettering Festival. A celebration of modern and traditional calligraphy with work from THE MARCHES SCRIBES, SHROPSHIRE SCRIBES and letterers from around the Three Counties. Demonstrations, plus 3-day workshop during festival, for details email Caroline, ilovelettering@outlook.com Open daily 10am-5pm, Gallery 54, 54 High St, Ross-on-Wye 01989 567917 April Continuing exhibition of gallery artists. ZOE TAYLOR, RACHEL SUDWORTH, KARLIN RUSHBROOKE & STEPHEN RIPPINGTON. Thurs-Sat 10am-4pm. Blue Ginger Gallery, Cradley, WR13 5NW 01886 880240 www.blue-ginger.com Until 2 June ‘Summer is a Cumin’. An exhibition of new work by prestigious British artists to welcome the start of British Summertime. Open Wed-Sun 10am-5pm.

What’s coming up @ CUP? Sunday 28th April: One day intensive course. 10am-4pm (includes delicious lunch), £95 Monday 13th May: 10 week ceramics for all course. 6.30pm-9pm, £200

Carved in Portland stone lottie ‘oleary

lottieolearystonecarver.co.uk

Unit 10, Foley Trading Estate, Hereford For more details email info@cupceramics.com or visit www.cupceramics.com @cupceramics /cupceramics Or call 07855868771

Made in the Marches Gallery, 12 Church St, Kington, HR5 3AZ 07544 368547 www.madeinthemarches.com April Spring Exhibition ‘Homegrown’. Featuring work from our resident local artists and makers PAUL BAINES, GILL DAVIES, REBECCA FINNEY, NANCY FROST, JANE KEAY, CELIA KIBBLEWHITE, MALCOLM MELLEN, DEE MILLS, DAVE MULLIN, HELEN SMITH & ALYS WALL. Plus JAMES BURNETT-STUART, CLARE CONRAD, SIWAN GILLICK, KATIE GAMBLE, TESSA GAVIN, LEWIS GOLDWATER, LIZ HARRIS, ANNIE POWELL, FIONA SHONE & SARAH TASSELL. Also featuring ‘A Lifetime’s Work’, an exhibition in memory of Huntington painter Mary Clarke. Ceramics, paintings, prints, textiles, jewellery, sculpture, stone, wood, metal and willow. Cards, gifts & art materials. Commissions and vouchers available. See website for details of demonstrations & workshops. Open Tues–Sat, 10am-5pm. Thurs 10am-2pm in Term Time for Art Class. Artistree, Above the Heritage Centre, Church Lane, Ledbury www.artistreegallery.org April ARTISTREE, co-operative of local artists, paintings, sculpture, furniture, photographs, ceramics, glass, textile and encaustic work. Wed-Sun 10.30am-4.30pm. Upstairs, Market House, Ross-on-Wye 01989 770776 www.artsinthemarches.co.uk April ‘Made in Ross’. RICHARD WHITE - images ‘A Creative Vision’. Open daily 10am-4pm. Hereford Cathedral’s Mappa Mundi & Chained Library 01432 374258 Until 1 June ‘Creatures of the Mappa Mundi’. Part of ‘Hidden Gems’. YINKA SHONIBARE MBE (RA). Inspired by the map and its foreign creatures he has created new textile work. Meadow Arts. Apple Store Gallery, Unit 1, Rockfield Road, Hereford, HR1 2UA 01432 263937 Until 6 April ‘Next Steps’. FRAMEWORK HEREFORDSHIRE, members and friends. 10 April - 19 May ‘Beneath the Skin’. ALLIOSN NEAL - Shetland Drawing Book 2. Open Wed-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm. Framing available. Lion Gallery, Broad St, Leominster 01568 611898 April ‘Along the Garden Path’. ELLIE LING & STACEY MANSER KNIGHT. Contemporary ceramics, paintings, jewellery, prints. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm.

The Countryside through Art, 1945-1985 This free exhibition offers over 50 original prints and paintings by a wide range of artists, all of which are for sale. It includes works by John Piper; a collection of over 20 beautiful prints by Robert Tavener and colourful artworks by Garrick Palmer and Rowland Suddaby.

Elmslie House Gallery, 8 Avenue Road, Great Malvern, WR14 3AG Wed 1st May - Thurs 9th May Wednesday 1st May, Private View by request, 6-8 pm Thursday 2nd, 1-4.30 pm Friday 3rd: 1-6 pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday 4th - 6th: 11-4.30 pm Wednesday 8th - Thursday 9th: 1-4.30 pm At other times by arrangement

Directions can be found at: http://www.elmsliehouse.co.uk/ More information about the exhibition and Fifties Art is available at https://www.fiftiesart.com/ To attend the private view, please email richard@fifitiesart.com

Greenstage Gallery, Hop Pocket, Bishop’s Frome WR6 5BT 01885 490839 6 April - 19 May Easter exhibition. DOUG EATON, JULI-ANNE COWARD, MAGGIE JONES, MARY EDWARDS, SALLY STAFFORD & TONY PURSER. Open Thurs-Sun or by appointment. 25 - 28 April Fresh Art Fair, Cheltenham Racecourse, (Stand 1). Featuring works by DOUG EATON, JULI-ANNE COWARD, SARA MEAD, ROB RITCHIE, BETH RICHARDSON, PIERRE WILLIAMS, JO LUCAS, SALLY STAFFORD, PETER SHARMAN, ROB VAN HOEK, PETER KOTKA, PAUL POWIS & MARK YOUD. Old Chapel Gallery, Pembridge 01544 388842 www.oldchapelgallery.co.uk Until 30 April ‘Song of the Earth’. Featuring new work by BARBARA SHAW, MARY ANN ROGERS, JEMIMA JAMESON, ELAINE PETO, RHYS PARTRIDGE, KARIN CELESTINE , HANNAH WILLOW and more. Textile art, watercolours, acrylics, ceramic sculpture, linocuts, needle felt, silver jewellery. Open 11am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Tues by appointment. The Art Shop, Cross St, Abergavenny NP7 5EH 01873 852690 Until 6 April ‘The Dream-Map & The Reflective Landscape’. ANDREA McLEAN - paintings, drawings and painted books. Open Tues-Sat 9.15am-5pm. Creates Gallery & Coffee Shop, Dean Heritage Centre, Camp Mill, Soudley, Forest of Dean GL14 2UB 07535 160712 www.createsgallery.com Until 19 May Spring exhibition. Coffee, cake, breakfast, lunch, fine art, sculpture, glass, ceramics and jewellery. Tues-Sun 10am-4pm. Elmslie House Gallery, 8 Avenue Rd, Great Malvern WR14 3AG www.elmsliehouse.co.uk www.fifitiesart.com 1 - 9 May ‘The Countryside through Art, 1945-1985’. Free exhibition offers over 50 original prints and paintings by a wid range of artists, all of which are for sale. Works include JOHN PIPER, ROBERT TAVENER, GARRICK PALMER & ROWLAND SUDDABY. Open 1 May, private view by request 6-8pm, Thurs 1-4.30pm, Fri 1-6pm, Sat-Mon 11am-4.30pm, Wed 8 & Thurs 9 1-4.30pm.

Creates Gallery, Contemporary Fine Art, 15 Church St, Monmouth NP25 5DZ 07535 160712 www.createsgallery.com Until 11 May Spring exhibition. Fine art, sculpture, glass, ceramics and jewellery by Master Jeweller, PAUL HATTON. Tues-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-3pm. SHROPSHIRE St Mary’s Church, Bucknell SY7 0AA 01547 530040 4 - 6 May ‘Abstract Edge’. RAE HARRISON, LOIS HOPWOOD, ROGER PERCIVAL, CIARA LEWIS, MAGGIE JONES, ROS BURNS, JANE THOMAS, JACS COLLINS, TONY HALL, ROBERT M WOOD, BRONTË WOODRUFF, ALISON McGREGOR GRIMLEY. Open Sat 11am-1pm, Sun/Mon 11am-4pm. www.abstractedge.org Bishop’s Castle Town Hall 01588 630023 Until 20 April ALAN JEFFERIES. 6 & 27 April Antiques & Flea Market. 9am-4pm. Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, SY7 9RS 01588 676060 Until 16 April ‘Victorian Crafts’. TAMARA BURGESS - cross stitch, embroidery, diamond dotz, scratch art and paper craft. Until 16 April CAROL BOWEN pastel and watercolour paintings. GORDON BAILEY - photographs. Open 10am-5pm. Much Wenlock Guildhall, Wilmore St, Much Wenlock TF13 6HR 01952 727509 1 - 29 April ‘Mammoths in Shropshire, Lions in Venice’. DIANA NUTTALL acrylic paintings. A unique depiction of some famous scenes. Plus cards, prints, cushions, tablemats and coasters. Open Fri-Mon 11am-4pm. Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, The Music Hall, Market Square, Shrewsbury SY1 1LG 01743 258885 Until 28 April ‘Bears!’ An exhibition from Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books. Original manuscripts and illustrations from PHILLIP PULLMAN, MICHAEL ROSEN, MARTIN WADDELL, JULIA DONALDSON and many more. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Smithy Studio, Brampton Bryan SY7 0DH 07811 042478 April Rustic English home wares and design led by locally made artisan crafts and fine art. Thurs - Sat and Bank Holiday Mon 11am-4pm.

FBC Manby Bowdler Gallery, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury 01743 281281 Until 28 April ‘Bears!’ Manuscripts and illustrations from Philip Pullman, Michael Rosen, Martin Waddell, Julia Donadlson and many more. April Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival. May - July ‘Encounters’. A collaboration between visual artists and poets. Open Mon-Sat from 10am, free admission. Aardvark Books, The Bookery, Manor Farm, Brampton Bryan, Bucknell, SY7 0DH 01547 530744 20 April - 6 May ‘The Flower Garden. A group show featuring RUTH KIRKBY - artist. SABINA RÜBER photographs. LOTTIE O’LEARY - sculpture. TONY HALL - pottery. Pottery demonstration by Tony Hall on 20 April. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Rock Church. DY14 9SD 01299 266353 20 - 22 April Easter Art and Craft Exhibition. 150+ artworks for sale from 35+ artists, plus craft stalls. Presented by the Friends of Rock Church with watercolour artist John Instance. easter-art-exhibition.eventbrite.co.uk Open 12noon – 4.30pm Twenty Twenty Gallery, 4 Quality Square, Ludlow 01584 875363 Until 6 April ‘Spring Greens’. New and mature artists showing fresh new work. CLAIRE SCOTT, RACHEL REA, ANGHARAD TARIS and many more. 12 April - 4 May Landscapes by Messums gallery artist DAVID TRESS. Ceramics by DENNIS FARRELL. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm.

Art & Craft Workshops

Single, dated listings are free. Ongoing workshops, £40 per year. 7TH LUDLOW ART TRAIL 15th - 30th June 2019. Artists are invited to exhibit and sell their work at a string of venues across Ludlow during the lively Fringe Festival. Interested? New artists welcome register now for an artists’ info pack. We also welcome businesses either as participants or hosts, and advertisers / sponsors. Please call John Jarvis 01584 873182 or email: john.jarvis@freeuk.com

QUILTING WORKSHOPS Available at Hay on Wye, Hereford + Ledbury. All levels taught. Beginners welcome. Small groups. Expert tuition. Contact Jacqueline on 01981 501043. Bee-spokequilts@hotmail.com ALEX ALLPRESS POTTERY SCHOOL - POTTERY WORKSHOPS Newbridge on Wye, Mid Wales. Pottery Workshops, tuition, courses. Half day, tasters or full day. Bespoke family/group/school and corporate team building. Book my studio or I can come to you. Throwing, slab, coil and hand building work. DBS checks. 20 Exp. Daily 9am-5pm, Late till 10pm. By Appointment Only. 01982 552854 / alexallpressceramics@gmail.com / alexallpress.co.uk VILLAGE ART CLUBS Welcomes both beginners and experienced painters to our friendly classes where you will enjoy good company and professional tuition at a village near you. Website - www.villageartclubs.co.uk - will give you all the details, or you are welcome to ring Liz on 07938 563716 for a chat about joining. We have clubs currently running in Kington, Staunton on Arrow, Kingsland, Tupsley in Hereford, Three Elms in Hereford, Wellington Chapel and Wellington Village Hall. Our next new club will start in Leominster. Look out for details in the local press. Look forward to seeing you! CREATIVE BREAKS Learn a new skill and explore your creativity with experienced tutors. We offer a wide range of courses throughout the year:- Basketmaking, Enamelled Jewellery, Felt making, Glass Fusing, Hand Block Printing, Hedgerow Medicine, Mosaics, Painting, Pastels, Photography, Plant Dyeing, Spinning and Weaving, Pottery, Rag Rug Making, Sewing, Stained Glass, Stonecarving, Woodblock printing and Upholstery. For full details visit www.creativebreaks. co.ukMake it yourself - take it home - treasure it – or give it with pride! GINN’S CREATIVE WORKSHOPS Discover your creative potential at one of my workshops covering, Art, Textiles and Sewing Techniques, catering for the experienced and inexperienced. Flexible dates to suit you. Guided by Ginn with over 30 years in teaching art & design. 01432 760961. STONE CARVING WORKSHOPS Monthly in Llangarron. HR9 6PH. Lead by Glenn Morris, experienced trainer and sculptor. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience. Full tuition and guidance tools, safety equipment and homemade refreshments. Contact Frances@artsinthemarches.co.uk or call 01989 770776. SILK SCREEN PRINTING CLASSES With Sunny Todd. 5 week evening classes, 6.30-9.30pm, £150. New Friday taster session 10am-1pm, £50. Small class sizes, outstanding tuition, homemade refreshments, classes suitable for all, beginners to experienced. Studio in Ledbury. Details 07527 048749, email sunnytoddprints@outlook.com www.ginnscreativeworkshops.co.uk April THE ARTHOUSE STUDIO Creative workshops including lino printing, glass fusing, jewellery making, fabric printing, traditional glass painting, stained glass. The Art House Studio, Weobley, 07467 941208, www.thearthousestudio.co.uk

April & May TRUMPET CORNER WORKSHOPS 1 April, 6 May & 3 June - Fun morning for beginners, sketch, draw and paint with Kate Culling. 10am-1pm, £30 to include drink and cake, to book 07545 331587. 6, 23 April, 9, 25 May, 8 & 18 June - Furzie Wool Sculpture Courses, 10am-4.30pm, £55, 01594 516906. 18 April - Quilt in a Day Workshop with Bee-spoke Quilts. 10am-4pm, £65pp, per day, lunch/refreshments included, to book 01981 501043. Mons - Knit, Stitch & Natter Group, 1-4pm, £2. Weds - Knit and Craft Group, 10am-1pm, £2. Weds - General silver classes, 10am-12.30pm, £125 for block of 5 classes. Sat monthly - General silver classes, 10am-12.30pm, £40. Trumpet Corner Tea Room & Gallery, near Ledbury, 01531 670082. April PEAK WORKSHOPS Until 5 April - Pottery with Martin Craddock, 2-5pm, £170 for 6 weeks, £305 for 12 weeks. 2 & 9 April Life Writing with Renee Stanton, 2-4pm, £55. 6 April - Botanical Illustration with Debbie Devauden, 10am-3pm, £45. Peak, The Old School, Brecon Rd, Crickhowell, 01873 811579. April MID WALES ARTS CENTRE WORKSHOPS 27 & 28 April - Pottery workshop with Andy Warren: Slab built pots. Booking essential. 20 - 22 April - Easter Egg Hunt, 11am-4pm, £2 donation. 20 April - Mould Making Workshop. 27 & 28 April - Wood burning kiln weekend. Potter Clubs - Wed 7-9pm, all ages and abilities. Thurs 2-4pm, adults only. Thurs 5-6.30pm, children aged 7-12 years. First Sat of the month, all ages and abilities welcome. Mid Wales Arts Centre, Caersws, 07970 671819. April EASTNOR POTTERY Family Pottery Sessions in the Easter Holiday. HARD BOILED! Tues 9 – Sat 27 April. Come and hand model an egg-straordinary eggcup. Perfect, creative activity for fanatics of the dippy egg! Places cost £20 per person. Booking essential. Potter’s wheel fun for families, couples and individuals during April & May. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm. Potter’s wheel projects start at £30 inclusive of firing & glazing. Fabulously creative indoor activity. Potter’s wheel workshops 6 & 7, 13 & 27 April. Spend the day or weekend relaxing and creating pots on the potter’s wheel. £150 day £280 weekend. Includes materials, refreshments and lunch. Simply email admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk or tel 01531 633886. April CLASSES AT THE OLD SCHOOL, WHITTON Introduction to Welsh quilting followed by a six week afternoon or evening class learning to work one technique each week. Forthcoming classes, furniture restoration and upholstery, rag rug, Kantha and Boro stitching (quilting traditions from India and Japan). Details 01547 550155 or www.radnorshireartsandcraftsfoundation.org April THE GLOBE, HAY ON WYE WORKSHOPS 21 April - Easter Egg Hunt, 2pm. 27 April - Teddy Bear’s Picnic, 11am. Every Sunday - Lego Club, 11am, free. Every Tuesday - Chess Club, 4.15pm, free, contact Drew on 07714 767779. One Tuesday a month - Globemakers - an informal craft group, 7.30pm, further details contact corin@lordburgess.co.uk The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 01497 821762.

April & May ORIEL DAVIES GALLERY WORKSHOPS 6 April, 4 & 18 May, 1 & 14 June, 6 July & 7 Sept workshops, 10.15am-1.30pm, £20/£17. 9 April, 21 May, 18 June - Colour Exploration with Tereska Shepherd, 10am-3.30pm. Tues - Holiday Activities for Children, Young People and Families, 10.30am-12.30pm, £7.50pp. 16 April - Felted Woolly Art with Helen Kozich. 23 April - Botany, Birds and Words with Zoe Needle. 28 May - Brilliant Branches and Terrific Trees with Zoe Needle. Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown, 01686 625041. April SHROPSHIRE HILLS DISCOVERY CENTRE WORKSHOPS 15 - 19 April & 22 - 26 April - Remarkable Romans, Easter Holiday Activity for ages 4 - 11 year olds, 1-2.30pm, booking advisable. 19 April - Easter Crafts Drop In, for ages 3+, £4 per child, 11am-4pm. Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Much Wenlock, 01588 676060. April & May WORKSHOPS AT MINERVA 30 April - Gardens and Allotments. Batik with Jenny O’Leary, £40. 16, 17 & 18 May - Capturing the Place. Sketching, drawing, mark making, photographs and journalling with Hilary Beattie, £180. 31 May - Flower Power, interpreting in fabric and stitch with Pauline Barns, £40. Minerva Arts Centre, Llanidloes, www.quilt.org.uk April COURTYARD WORKSHOPS & FAMILY SATURDAYS 6 April - Pre-activity, Jack & The Beanstalk, Make an Easter Egg Basket, 10.30am. 13 April - Pre-activity, Wizard of Oz, Lego Workshop, 10.30am. 20 April Pre-activity, Lego Movie 2, Create a Lego Character, 10.30am. 27 April - Pre-activity, How To Train Your Dragon, Make a Dragon Stick Puppet, 10.30am. Thurs - Life Drawing, 10am-1pm, £7. Tues - Playing Together, bringing older people and pre-school age together. Dementia friendly. The Courtyard, Hereford, 01432 340555. April THE HIVE, BELMONT WORKSHOPS 15 April - ‘Put an Easter Bonnet on it!, With Jamila Walker for ages 5-11 year olds, 10.30am-12pm, £12. 17 April - ‘Easter Potters, Nest Making’. With Stephanie Kelly, for ages 4-11 years, 10.30am-5pm, £12. 17 April Easter Pottery for Adults, 7-9pm, for ages 25+, £25. 18 April - Photography Workshop with Bethany and James for ages 11-16 years, 10am-3pm, £35. Fri Buzzy Beats for under 5s. Creative, music filled workshop with Mary Keith, 10.30am, £6. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 01743 234970. April LEDBURY LETTERING FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS 24 April - ‘Patterns are Letters’. Learn how to construct repeat patterns and borders using broad-edged tools. All materials supplied. £18 per session 10.30-12.30 or 2-4pm, 01531 634571. 25 April - ‘Hand Lettering-Say it in Styles!’ Create hand-drawn and playful lettering to use for chalkboarding, journalling, cards & invitations, £45 inc. materials, 10.30am-4.30pm, 01242 467835. 27 April - ‘Exploring an Elegant Gothic Hand’, learn to write Gothic Batarde a beautiful Tudor script, £45 incl. materials, 10am-4pm, 01905 350882. All workshops held at Weavers Gallery, Ledbury, maximum 8 places. See exhibition listings.

April BLEDDFA WORKSHOPS 27 April - Painting workshop: Experimental Watercolours, led by Ruth Kirkby. The Bleddfa Centre, Bleddfa, near Knighton, 9.30am-4pm, £45, 01547 550377. April ASSEMBLY ROOMS, WORKSHOPS Twice monthly, Tues, Oscars, 7.30pm, Ludlow Photographic Club, 01584 879180. First Thurs, Studio, 7.30pm, Ludlow Arts Society, talks and demonstrations, 01584 831458. Fri, Studio, 10am-4pm, Life and Portrait Workshop, contact Chris Bean, 01584 841668. Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, 01584 878141. April & May CUP CERAMICS 28 April - One day intensive course, 10am-4pm, £95 includes lunch. 13 May - 10 week ceramics for all, 6.30-9pm, £200. Cup Ceramics, Unit 10, Foley Trading Estate, Hereford, 07855 868771, www.cupceramics.com April PYSANKY WORKSHOP Designs/symbols written with bees wax with tutor Helena Orlowski in Kingsthorne, Hereford. 8 April - Adult workshop, 9.30am-1pm, £35 to include all materials and Ukrainian lunch. 16 April - Children’s workshop for ages 7+, 10am-12pm, £15 to include all materials. To book call Nataliya 07963 090838.

Sun 28 April PLANT SUPPORT OBELISK WORKSHOP Wigmore Village Hall, 9.30am-11.30am, £15, to book call Sophia 079044 54227 or www.weavefutures.com Fri 3 May LEARN THE CRAFT OF NEEDLE FELTING Make a needlefelt badger. Upper Treluggas, Knucklas, LD7 1RE. Cost £50 to include materials and lunch. Contact Kate 07813454077. Held in aid of Knucklas Castle Community Land Project.

Abstract Edge Exhibition

Starting Wed 3 April CABAN A digital arts training project for young women aged 16-25. Abergavenny Community Centre, 4-6pm, every Wednesday thereafter. Working with artist Lauren Heckler. 01873 811579, email rachel@peak.cymru

Rae Harrison

Sun 7 April MODERN CALLIGRAPHY Using pointed pens, learn a funky new script which is great for craftwork, weddding/party stationery. Clear Space Studios, King St, Hereford, 10am-4pm, £48 includes all materials and a pen to take home. Limited to 8 places. Please book, email Caroline, ilovelettering@ outlook.com

Maggie Jones

Sat 13 April CALLIGRAPHY IMPROVERS Monkland Village Hall, 10am-1pm, £9, booking essential, 01544 327657. Marches Scribes. Sat 13 - Sat 20 April CREATIVE ELAN FESTIVAL Activities including creating Rock Art to Pottery, Storywalks, Screen Printing, Poetry and Animation. CARAD, East St, Rhayader, www.carad.org.uk for details. Sat 27 & Sun 28 April, Sat 18 & Sun 19 May EXPLORING YOUR CREATIVE SELF A two day course focused on connecting you with your creative and playful self. Whether you are an artist or

maker in need of a fresh perspective or someone who has never considered themselves to be creative. Using clay and drawing materials, I will facilitate sessions to help you break through blocks and give structure and support to your free exploration. No previous clay or drawing experience is required and all materials are included. Venue, Orcop, £150. www.sheilaherring. blogsop.com Sheila@sheilaherring.co.uk

Lois Hopwood Roger Percival

St Mary’s Church, Bucknell, SY7 0AA

Ciara Lewis Ros Burns Jane Thomas Jacs Collins Tony Hall

4th, 5th and 6th May Preview: Saturday 4th May 11am-1pm Daily opening times: 11am - 4pm

Robert M Wood Brontë Woodruff Alison McGregor Grimley

Any enquiries: 01547 530040

www.abstractedge.org

GEORGINA FRANKLIN Jewellery Individual Contemporary Design Commissions undertaken

Please see website for studio opening times.

www.georginafranklin.co.uk

The Forum, 18 Market Square, Tenbury Wells, Worcs. WR15 8EA

Phone 01584 810085

cinema Movie-Going in the Marches - Reel 2

AST month I admitted that as an unashamed movie-junkie, I tend to favour films shown in the handful of ‘indie’ cinemas dotted throughout the Marches over those screened for one night in village halls or, conversely at the even fewer multiplexes that exist in Broad Sheep’s bailiwick. However one mustn’t be snooty about such partiality for there are good reasons for travelling to Shrewsbury’s Cineworld or Hereford’s Odeon – which are all we’ve got ‘plex-wise in the Marches – just as there are for not mentioning in these pages what they’re showing during any given month. Last things first: like all major chains Odeon and Cineworld show almost exclusively new releases and because there are over 900 new films released each year – let that sink in for a moment – they’ll only keep them on for more than a week if they sell enough tickets on their opening weekends, the consequence of which is that Messrs. Odeon, Cineworld et al can only advertise what they’re screening a few days, or at best a week in advance. In the olden days, this used to be in local papers but now of course it’s via their websites, which isn’t much good to the monthly Broad Sheep. However as I said, for the committed movie-goer, the ‘plexes have virtues the indies don’t. Obviously they show newly launched films straightaway, and these days there are plenty of mainstream films worth buying a ticket for at a comfortably upholstered, state-of-the-art cinema. Hence I and the missus (more on whom later) make the 45 minute drive to and from Hereford’s new-ish city-centre Odeon (www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/hereford) almost fortnightly. Plus, the predominately young staff there are a real joy: friendly, keen and usually well-briefed on what you’re about to see. They also sell great ice cream… but that’s a whole ‘nother story. Shrewsbury’s Cineworld (www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/ shrewsbury), is for me a rather longer drive to an out-oftown retail park and more of a old-school, box-like ‘plex, but their projection and sound quality are excellent even if the smell of stale popcorn butter is more dominant. But both it and the Odeon with eight and six screens respectively mean that there’s almost always something worth seeing, often those great films that exist in that odd

Tulip Fever

netherworld between mainstream and indie recently, for example, including CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? and GREEN BOOK. So if you actually live in Hereford or Shrewsbury or you’re willing to travel, then regularly check out those cinemas’ websites, but for now I’ll revert to type and plug a few films of a more definite indie nature being shown in indie venues. Mimi Leder is one of the few female directors with a track record for blockbusters (THE PEACEMAKER, DEEP IMPACT) who also deftly handles more nuanced material which ON THE BASIS OF SEX definitely is. It’s the true story of Ruth Ginsburg (English actress Felicity Jones, here convincingly American) who aided by her lawyer husband, (Armie Hammer, so good in CALL ME BY YOUR NAME), became the first female U.S. Supreme Court judge. It’s a riveting watch. Ditto TULIP FEVER, whose gestation was almost as dramatic and twisty as its story of romantic duplicity and mad financial speculation set in 17th Century Holland. And if Mr Pernickety and Mr Mustill can exercise jaunty nepotism, then surely I can mention that my wife wrote the novel it’s based on and co-wrote the script of a gorgeous-looking work starring Judi Dench, Christoph Waltz and Alicia Vikander. Moreover she’ll be introducing the film at the Courtyard on April 16th, which might also give you, dear reader, the chance to berate this writer for promoting films that you then hated. Finally, of especial local interest, CAROUSEL: A HEREFORDSHIRE LIFE THROUGH A LENS celebrates the work of photographer Derek Evans who chronicled life, culture and politics in the Marches from the 1950s to the ‘70s. Painstakingly drawn from an archive that included over 200,000 negatives and 790 exhibition prints, director Rick Goldsmith and his producer wife, Julia, have created an extraordinarily compelling account of times past, including Hereford’s enduring May Fair, Fownhope’s eccentric Heart of Oak walk and a now idyllic-seeming childhood spent swimming in the Wye, hunting minnows and ogling beauty pageants. A must for anyone curious about or indeed proud of our local heritage.

Mark Williams

ABERGAVENNY FILM SOC. 3 April UNDER THE TREE (15) Melville Centre, Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny, doors open 6.45pm, films start 7.30pm, 01873 850167

ASSEMBLY ROOMS, LUDLOW 9 April EASTER PARADE (A Life More Ordinary) 12 April WIDOWS (15) 14 April BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID (PG) 19 April MARY POPPINS RETURNS (U) 26 April DISOBEDIENCE (15) Assembly Rooms, Ludlow 01584 878141

BISHOP’S CASTLE FILM SOC. 3 April BOMBSHELL Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle, 8pm. Details 01588 680445

BOOTH’S BOOKSHOP 5 - 9 April THE WHITE CROW (12A) 19 - 25 April WILD ROSE (15) Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye. 01497 820322

BRECON FILM SOCIETY 1 April DAPHNE (15) 6 May ZAMA (15) Doors open 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Brecon Coliseum Cinema, Wheat St, Brecon. Membership enquiries 01874 623166

CONQUEST, BROMYARD 3 April CAROUSEL: A HEREFORDSHIRE LIFE THROUGH A LENS 5 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) 19 April THE CHILDREN ACT (12A) Conquest Theatre, Tenbury Rd, Bromyard. Details 01885 488575

COURTYARD, HEREFORD

1 April BOY ERASED (15) 3 April DOWN TO EARTH (U) 1 & 5 April DISOBEDIENCE (15) 1 - 16 April TULIP FEVER (15) Introduction and Q&A with the film’s author, Deborah Moggach on 16 April, 7pm 1 - 16 April ON THE BASIS OF SEX (12A) 5 - 20 April FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS (12A) 13 - 25 April LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART (U) 19 - 27 April HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD (PG) 20 - 29 April THE AFTERMATH (15) 23 - 30 April THE MULE (15) 27 & 29 April GLASS (15) Details 01432 340555

1 April A STAR IS BORN Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, 01588 676060 2 April THE WIFE (15) Lydbury North VH 01588 680302 2 April JEUNE FEMME (15) All Stretton VH 07812 583113 3 April FIRST MAN (12A) Cardington VH 01694 771295 4 April THE RIDER (15) Brilley VH 01544 327227 4 April WIDOWS (15) Leintwardine Community Centre 07572 442903 5 April BREATHE (12A) Sarn VH 01686 670943 5 April FANTASTIC BEAST: THE CRIMES OF GRINDLEWALD (12A) SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle 01588 630321 5 April JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN (PG) The Simpson Hall, Burghill 01432 760816 5 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) Conquest Theatre, Bromyard 01885 488575 5 April LEAVE NO TRACE (PG) Market Theatre, Ledbury 07967 517125 5 April THE CHILDREN ACT (12A) Fownhope New Memorial Hall 01432 860065 6 April CAROUSEL: A LIFE THROUGH A LENS Playhouse Cinema, Community Centre, Leominster 01568 616460

Carousel: Life Through a Lens

7 April FANSTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD (12A) Playhouse Cinema, Community Centre, Leominster 01568 616460 7 April MIRAI (PG) Playhouse Cinema, Community Centre, Leominster 01568 616460 8 April CRAZY RICH ASIANS (12A) The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock 01952 728911 8 April PETERLOO (12A) Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge Community Centre 01952 433297 8 April THE CHILDREN ACT (12A) Welshpool Assembly Room 01938 552043 9 April PATRICK (PG) SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle 01588 630321 9 April THE RIDER (15) St Mary’s Church Hall, Ross-on-Wye 01989 568705 9 April KING OF THIEVES (15) Ashford Carbonell VH 01584 874684 9 April THE WIFE (15) Garway Community Hall 01600 750465 10 April BROOKLYN (12A) Hope Bowdler VH 01694 723648 10 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) Clun Memorial Hall 01588 640109 10 April THE LEISURE SEEKER (15) Market Theatre, Ledbury 07967 517125 11 April DARKEST HOUR (PG) Pudleston VH 01568 760606 12 April THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY (12A) Bodenham Parish Hall 01568 797932 12 April MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN (PG) Marton VH 01938 580116 12 April EDIE (12A) Little Wenlock VH 01952 505497 12 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) Clungunford Parish Hall 01588 660159

THE HIVE, BELMONT

The Life of Brian

12 April HUMAN FLOW (12) 26 April HAPPY END (15) The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 01743 234970

LINGEN FLIX

Lingen Village Hall, 7.30pm, 01544 267736. www.lingen.org.uk

OLD MKT. HALL, SHREWS. Until 4 April FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS (12A) Details 01743 281281

PLAYHOUSE, LEOMINSTER

12 April WIDOWS (15) Knighton Community Centre 01547 520602 12 April EDIE (12A) Cound Guildhall 01743 761451 12 April MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN (PG) Little Dewchurch VH 01432 840333 12 April STAN AND OLLIE (12A) Ryton VH 01743 718237 12 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) All Stretton VH 07812 583113 12 April THE GUARDIANS Subtitles (15) Market Theatre, Ledbury 07967 517125 12 April THE WIFE (15) Colwall VH 01684 540926 13 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) Lindridge Parish Hall 01584 881615 13 April FIRST MAN (12A) Bayston Hill Memorial Hall 01743 873940 13 April ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (18) Yarpole Parish Hall 01568 780279 13 April FINDING YOUR FEET (12) Cleobury Mortimer Parish Hall 01299 271129 13 April THE BOOKSHOP (PG) Cawley Hall, Eye 01568 615836 13 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) Ripple Parish Hall 01684 592781 14 April HUGO (2011) (U) New Inn, Pembridge 01544 387571 16 April STAN AND OLLIE (12A) Acton Scott VH 01694 781260 17 April COLD WAR (15) Escleyside Hall 01981 510352 18 April PETERLOO (12A) Gorsley VH 01989 720358 18 April & 19 June CAROUSEL: A HEREFORDSHIRE LIFE THROUGH A LENS Market Theatre, Ledbury 07967 517125 19 April MARY POPPINS RETURNS (PG) SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle 01588 630321

19 April THE CHILDREN ACT (12A) Conquest Theatre, Bromyard 01885 488575 19 April THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI (15) Bosbury Parish Hall 01531 640415 20 April WIDOWS (15) Everest Hall, Llanfair Waterdine 01547 510672 20 April THE RIDER (15) Lady Emily Hall, Tarrington 01432 890720 20 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) Aston on Clun VH 01588 660545 24 April THE BOOKSHOP (PG) Lea VH 01989 750679 25 April WIDOWS (15) Goodrich VH 01600 890609 25 April CAROUSEL: A HERFORDSHIRE LIFE THROUGH A LENS Wellington VH 01432 277424 25 April THE BREAKFAST CLUB (15) The Hive, Shrewsbury 01588 620883 25 April SWIMMING WITH MEN (12A) Kinnerley Parish Hall 01691 683619 26 April STAN AND OLLIE (12A) Knighton Community Centre 01547 520602 26 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) Stoke Prior VH 07850 030821 26 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) Himbleton VH 01905 391143 27 April THE CHILDREN ACT (12A) Upton upon Severn Memorial Hall 01684 592273 27 April BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A) Chapel Lawn VH 07964 710983 27 April SWIMMING WITH MEN (12A) Cawley Hall, Eye 01568 615836 29 April A STAR IS BORN (15) The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock 01952 728911 30 April STAN AND OLLIE (12A) Much Birch Community Hall 01981 540097

6 April CAROUSEL: A HEREFORDSHIRE LIFE THROUGH A LENS 7 April MIRIA (PG) 7 April FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWARD (12A) 13 April LIZZIE 20 April MARY POPPINS RETURNS Playhouse Cinema, Community Centre, Leominster 01568 612583

PRESTEIGNE SCREEN 12 April BLACKKKLANSMAN (15) Assembly Rooms, Presteigne. www.presteignescreen.org.uk

REGAL CINEMA, TENBURY 13 - 24 April CAPTAIN MARVEL (12A) 15 - 23 April LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART (U) Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells 01584 811442

SAVOY THEATRE, MONMOUTH 7 & 8 April THE PONDS (12A) 9 April FINDING YOUR FEET (12) 12 - 26 April DUMBO (PG) 20 April THE LIFE OF BRIAN (15) Details Savoy Theatre, Church St, Monmouth 01600 772467

THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWS. 4 April BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL (12A) Collection of short films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury 01743 281281

WYESIDE, BUILTH WELLS 1 - 3 April THE AFTERMATH (ctbc) 1 - 4, 5 - 7, 10 - 18, 26 & 27 April, 4, 6, 11 & 18 May DUMBO (ctbc) 1 & 3 April FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY (ctbc) 6, 7 & 10 April THE FAVOURITE (15) 12 - 18 April WHAT MEN WANT (15) 12 - 18 April FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS (12A) 12 - 17 April 12 & 19 May WONDER PARK (ctbc) 12 - 15 April INSTANT FAMILY (ctbc) 19 - 25 April THE WHITE CROW (12A)

19 - 25 April PET SEMATARY (ctbc) 19 - 25 April & 5 May MISSING LINK (ctbc) 19 - 25 April SHAZAM! (ctbc) 26 - 30 April, 1 & 11 May HELLBOY (ctbc) 26 - 30 April, 1 - 9, 11, 12, 18, 19, 30, 31 May AVENGERS: ENDGAME (ctbc) 3 - 7, 9 May THE SISTERS BROTHERS (15) 4 - 6, 11, 18 May PEPPA PIG FESTIVAL OF FUN (ctbc) Wyeside, Builth Wells 01982 552555

LIVE EVENTS ON SCREEN 2 April LA FORZA DEL DESTINO Royal Opera House. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 6.15pm, 01600 719401. The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, 6.15pm, 01952 728911. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, 6.15pm, 01743 281281. Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, 6.15pm, 01497 820322. The Courtyard, Hereford, 6.15pm, 01432 340555. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 6.15pm, 01584 811442. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 6.15pm, 07967 517125. Playhouse Cinema, Community Centre, Leominster, 6.15pm, 01568 616460. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 6.15pm, 01874 611622. 3 April YULI The Life of Carlos Acosta. Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, 01497 820322. 4 April LA FORZA DEL DESTINO Royal Opera House. Wyeside, Builth Wells, 6.15pm, 01982 552555. 6 April TORTOISE & THE HARE Northern Ballet’s Bit Sized Ballet. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, 12pm, 01743 281281.

7 April LA FORZA DEL DESTINO Royal Opera. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, 2pm, 01588 630321.

18 April REMBRANDT Exhibition on Screen. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.45pm, 01432 340555.

9 April YULI The LIfe of Carlos Acosta. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7pm, 01885 488575.

20 April AS YOU LIKE IT Royal Shakespeare Company. Playhouse Cinema, Community Centre, Leominster, 7pm, 01568 616460.

9 April REMBRANDT Exhibition on screen. From the National Gallery, London. Wyeside, Builth Wells, 7.30pm, 01982 552555. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 7pm, 01584 811442. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, 12pm, 01743 281281. 11 April ALL ABOUT EVE National Theatre. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 7pm, 01584 811442. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 7pm, 07967 517125. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, 7pm, 01743 281281. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, 7pm, 01588 630321. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7pm, 01885 488575. Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, 01497 820322. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7pm, 01874 611622. 14 April REMBRANDT Exhibition on screen. Playhouse Cinema, Community Centre, Leominster, 7.30pm, 01568 616460. 16 April REMBRANDT Exhibition on Screen. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7pm, 01885 488575. 17 April AS YOU LIKE IT Royal Shakespeare Company. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 7pm, 01600 772467. The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, 7pm, 01952 728911. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7pm, 01432 340555. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 7pm, 07967 517125. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, 7pm, 01743 281281. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7pm, 01885 488575.

21 April REMBRANDT Exhibition on Screen. Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, 3pm, 01584 878141. 25 April ALL ABOUT EVE National Theatre encore screening. Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, 01497 820322. 28 April AS YOU LIKE IT Royal Shakespeare Company. Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, 3pm, 01584 878141. 28 April REMBRANDT Exhibition on Screen. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 8pm, 01600 772467. 30 April FAUST Royal Opera House. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 6.45pm, 01600 719401. The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, 6.45pm, 01952 728911. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 6.45pm, 01743 281281. Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, 6.45pm, 01497 820322. The Courtyard, Hereford, 6.45pm, 01432 340555. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 6.45pm, 01584 811442. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 6.45pm, 07967 517125. Playhouse Cinema, Community Centre, Leominster, 6.45pm, 01568 616460. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 6.45pm, 01874 611622. 2 May FAUST Royal Opera House. Wyeside, Builth Wells, 6.45pm, 01982 552555. 8 May SPARTACUS Australian Ballet. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 7pm, 01584 811442.

AARDVARK BOOKS & CAFE Website: www.aardvark-books.com

50,000+ titles; North Herefordshire’s largest indie bookseller; We buy books Specialist in art, design, photography, history, gardening

Also open our superb CAFÉ!

The Bookery, Manor Farm, Brampton Bryan, Bucknell, SY7 0DH Off A4113 Knighton Road. Tel: 01547 530744 OPEN EVERY DAY aardvaark@btconnect.com www.aardvark-books.com Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

THE FLOWER GARDEN: EXHIBITION 20 April - 6 May Artist Ruth Kirkby, photographer Sabina Rüber, sculptor Lottie O’Leary and potter Tony Hall celebrate the garden. EASTER GARDEN EVENT Sat 20 April, 10am-4pm Live music from The Trevor Davies Trio, plants from The Cottage Herbery and much more. Free entry. POETRY BREAKFAST @ AARDVARK BOOKS Wed 24 April, 9.30am £8. Contact Anna Dreda, annadreda@icloud.com

dance Dance Performance Wed 3 April ONE NIGHT ONLY THE VIV KELLY SCHOOL OF DANCE AND THEATRE. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £15-£12, 01743 281281. Wed 17 April REMEMBERING THE MOVIES Starring Aljaz and Janette from Strictly Come Dancing. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £45-£27.50, VIP meet and greet £102.50, 01743 281281. Wed 24 & Sat 27 April SWAN LAKE BALLET THEATRE UK. Filled with romance, sorcery and betrayal. 24 April - Wyeside, Builth Wells, 7.30pm, £15/£14, 01982 552555. 27 April - Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 3pm, 01600 719401. Sat 27 April STARMAKER FOOTLIGHTS DANCE SCHOOL. Includes tap, ballet and freestyle dance from children as little as three years to adults. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 2pm & 7pm, £15/£12, 01743 281281. Tues 7 May AWAKENING - REVELLERS’ MASS + TUNDRA NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY WALES. Revellers’ Mass is an unlikely dinner party inspired by old paintings and Tundra is an ultra-modern, mesmerising retelling of Russian folk dance and revolution. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 01743 281281.

Dance Workshops

Single, dated listings are free. Year round entries £40. Sat 6 April BARN DANCE WITH WHIFFELDY Band and caller, Credenhill Community Hall, Station Rd, Hereford, 7.30pm, Ploughman’s supper, £8/£4 from Gordon 01432 760312. Sat 13 April CIRCLE DANCE With live band Bellamonda. Church Barn, Church Lane, Bishop’s Castle. Eastern European music, simple dances to celebrate spring. 01588 630648. ASSEMBLY ROOMS CLASSES Mon - Circle Dancing, Studio, 1.45pm-3.45pm. Contact Kathryn Louhichi, 01584 877446. Tues Learn To Jive. Fun, easy to learn and no partner/ experience needed. Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, 7.30-8.30pm, 01989 750354. MID WALES JIVE CLASSES Mondays Rock’n’Roll [R&R] Jive in Llandovery, Tuesdays - Hundred House Village Hall, Wednesdays Modern Jive [MJ], Pant-y-Dwr Village Hall, [MJ + R&R], Thursdays - Brecon Con Club [MJ + R&R], Fridays - Tywyn area [MJ + R&R], classes and dancing 7.30-10.00 £5pp. Beginners and experienced dancers welcome. Just turn-up & join-in at 7.20, with or without a dance partner. ‘Mid Wales Jive’ teaching Modern Jive, 50s Rock’n’Roll Jive, SwingJive. Call/Text 07767358079 - facebook Mid wales Jive - http://www.peterphillips.dj/ MidWalesJive/. Please call/text to check in advance, as some classes may be affected by weather or prior hall commitments.

ECSTATIC RHYTHMS DANCE – WITH CLIVE HEDGER This is a freestyle dance class drawing upon elements of 5 Rhythms, ecstatic / shamanic dance with some of the best ever music on a great sound system. No experience necessary. No steps to learn, just following your inner rhythms. Wear loose clothing and bring water. BRILLEY VILLAGE HALL HR3 6JG 1st Saturday of each month. The village hall is signposted from the Brilley to Kington road and is approximately 500 yards from St Mary’s church, Brilley. (These dates may occasionally be subject to change). 7.30pm £10 (concessions available). Info clivephilippa@hotmail.com 07905 743272 / 01982 552535. ALANYA’S BELLYDANCE CLUB - OPEN LEVEL Monkland Village Hall - Mondays 7.30-9pm. Miro Studio, Hereford - Fridays 10.30am-12pm. No-obligation taster £6, then pay per term or block. For information and other classes visit www.alanyabellydance. com or call Abbie on 07962 161081. COURTYARD, HEREFORD CLASSES Mondays - Find Your Feet, dementia friendly dance and movement class, 10am, £2 per session. Fridays - Dancing Tots 11.30am, ages 2-4, £4 per session, £1 per extra child. Fridays - Chance to Dance 10.15am, for over 50s. Tuesdays - Zumba 1.30pm, £5, all abilities. The Courtyard, Hereford, 01432 340555. LEARN 2 JIVE BEGINNERS CLASSES Mon, 7.30-8.30pm, Bartestree Village Hall, Hereford, HR1 4BY. Tues, 7.30-8.30pm, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, SY8 1AZ. Tues, 7.30-8.30pm, Stretton Sugwas Village Hall, HR4 7PT. Tues, 7.30pm-8.30pm Pembridge Village Hall, HR6 9EB. Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, Methodist Church Hall, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8EE. Wed, 8-9pm, Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Malvern, WR14 4LR. Thurs, 6.30-7.15pm Charlestone Fitness, Point 4, HR1 1DT. Thurs, 7.30pm8.30pm, Northolme Community Centre, HR2 7SP. Thurs, 7.45pm-8.45pm Ledbury Dance Studio, HR8 2A. Fri, 11am-12pm, Tupsley Whitehouse Community Hub, Gentle Jive. Contact Matt or Sarah on 01989 750354. or info@coolmovesdance.co.uk www.coolmovesdance.co.uk Coolmoves Dance & Fitness for adults. Fortnightly Saturdays CHORUS LINE Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 07943 417561. Mondays SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING Join an enthusiastic adult group on Monday evenings to learn how to dance jigs, reels and Strathspeys at Llanelwedd School Hall, Builth Wells from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. £2.50 per session (first free). No need to bring a partner. Beginners and experts welcome. 01982 570324/01544 350707. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays MID WALES DANCE ACADEMY Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 07943 417561. Tuesdays FOXWELP MORRIS Why not try Morris dancing? We practice every Tues evening at 7.30pm in Moccas Village Hall from Sept to May. Mainly dances from the Cotswolds, but also some from the Welsh Borders. All sexes welcome, and ability to dance not necessary! Beginners welcome. Contact Emma on 01544 327311 or Paul 01497 821003. Wednesdays BIG FISH LITTLE FISH FOR MUMS AND TOTS! Dance Centre, Llandrindod Wells, 2-3pm, £3 drop in, for tots aged 8 months+, 01597 824370.

food page

The Coach House, Norbury, near Bishop’s Castle

EFORE Mr Pernickety transports his readers to the depths of Mary Webb country below the southern slopes of the Stiperstones, in the shadow of the Long Mynd, he will take them first on an unlikely detour to the western fringes of what he will call Le Pays Noir. Hitherto, Mr Pernickety has not had a reason to visit Stourbridge, but recently found himself there in pursuit of a replacement for his aged and loyal Volvo. After a yawning morning of negotiating, Mr P and his Lovely Companion badly needed lunch. Although the town has a fine history of glass-making, there’s not a lot of architectural glamour to the place. However, in one of the older, now traffic-free streets they spotted an unostentatious restaurant under the banner, The French Connection. Naming places after popular films always poses the risk of dating them, where being dated is not the same as being aged. However, a glance at the menu outside showed signs of authenticity, and Mr P’s flagging spirits rose like a salmon seeking upstream spawning grounds as he pushed open the door to behold an interior that reflected everything he had learned to love about the French approach to cuisine as a romantic young waster sipping calvados in a pavement brasserie beside a cobbled Parisian boulevard. He suggests that his readers don’t just wait until they’re next in Stourbridge (which could easily be never) to enjoy the talents of Philip Cartwright, chef for twenty-five years at The French Connection, but make a deliberate diversion to seek it out. Mr P only wishes there was such a place in Le Pays des Marches. hills...

Now, back to dark dingles of the South Salopian

Mr P and a friend – an intrepid equestrian voyager with an extensive knowledge of the mysteries of alchemy – drove a sinuous route along narrow lanes, past Cold Comfort farms from whose smoky beams, Mr P imagined, dangled flitches of dark maroon badger ham, to the small village of Norbury and The Coach House.

A good solid spacious building of some centuries set hard by the lane, The Coach House has been furnished, Farrowed and Balled (or, possibly, Edward Bulmered) with taste and merciful restraint, although Mr P doesn’t imagine that this treatment puts the immediate locals at their ease; on the night he and the Alchemical Horseman visited, there wasn’t a punter in sight to sup the probably delicious Salopian Brewery’s Darwin’s Origin, which Mr P and his guest, both committed to Lenten vows of abstinence, were unable to sample themselves. There are comfortable sofas, interesting, ironic rustic pictures, wood burners, good quality country chairs and tables in oak and mahogany, all easy on a fastidious eye such as Mr P’s. The ambience was marred, however, by a dreadful selection of music by singer-songwriters of a whimsical and caterwauling tradition. Mr P urges the proprietors to trying playing some of the vast repertoire of late C18th and early C19th string quartets, which would be more in keeping with the place.

The menu comprises what could be called Modern British inventive, unexpected, artsy and occasionally a little chichi. Mr P likes all this, although he is less enthusiastic about the visual flourishes of jus and sauces which practitioners of this cuisine feel obliged to present. In his starter, Oxtail, Shitake, Oyster Sauce and so on, he relished tastes and contrasts that were entirely new and stimulating. The AH seemed to enjoy his Hispi (a sweet, pointed cabbage, evidently) charred with Black Garlic, Ricotta and Chives. Mr Pernickety helped himself to a quick and pleasing mouthful. For a main course, in the knowledge that he was saving a lot of money by not having to buy wine for his normally thirsty guest, Mr P chose, @ £26, a Beef Fillet, Garlic Spuds & Broccoli. The meat was beautifully, rarely cooked, but reminded him what a generally boring cut is fillet. He might, he felt, have done better with his current favourite, a quick-fried slither of modestly priced feather blade. The AH, meanwhile, looked a little doubtful as he munched his Cod Loin, Butter Beans, Rosemary, Garlic, Chorizo & Chives, mumbling his doubts about ‘demi-nouvelle cuisine, it being neither fish nor fowl, nor good red herring, with far too much faffing about.’ Mr P suspects that, at heart, he is more of a badger ham punter. After this, the AH had cheese (five good varieties) to finish his dinner, while Mr P, who knows a good pudding should put a smile on a diner’s face, grinned fatuously as he gobbled up his bowl of Rhubarb, Ginger, Yoghurt, Ginger Nut & Nutmeg, despite the great irritation of having been ordered to “Enjoy!” by the man who served it and despairing that some people who aspire to offer sophisticated victualling still want to sound like burger wallers in a Route 66 diner. Whatever the Alchemical Horseman’s view, and even without any vintner’s input, Mr P enjoyed his experience at The Coach House; he happily recommends it, in the hope that the music will be more appropriate, the presentation a little less artsy and the service free of imperatives. www.misterpernickety.com

EVENTS

FOOD BYTES

Thurs 4 April SPRING GREENS COOKERY COURSE All dishes suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, 10am-2pm, £35 per person, bring containers to take your food home, 01588 676060.

AARDVARK BOOKS LTD, THE BOOKERY, MANOR FARM, BRAMPTON BRYAN, BUCKNELL 01547 530888 Cafe serving refreshments, cakes etc. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm. BLEDDFA CENTRE READING ROOM CAFE 01547 550377 will OPEN from Good Friday 19th April 11am – 5pm every Saturday and Sunday (as well as Friday and Mondays on Bank Holiday). Teas, coffees, cake and soup. www.bleddfacentre.org 01547 550377 hello@bleddfacentre.org THE GREEN BEAN CAFE, WEOBLEY 01544 318865 Good, locally sourced, homemade food. Soups, all day light lunches, cakes and scones. Set in the heart of Weobley. Free wifi. Tues-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm. With The Green Bean Shop/Deli under the same roof. THE HEREFORDSHIRE GOLF CLUB, WORMSLEY, HR4 8LY Open daily for food and beverage also a Sunday Carvery 12.30pm-3pm every week, one course £9.95 two courses, £13.95. We can also cater for your private event, price includes free room hire. Call Martin on 01432 830219. THE ORGASMIC CIDER COMPANY, GREAT PARTON, EARDISLEY, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR3 6NX 01544 327244 or 07773 037448 Craft cider and perry off licence and gift shop with local products. Open Friday and Saturday 12 to 5pm. Group tours available. The India & China Tea Company at TOWER HOUSE GALLERY, HIGH STREET, KNIGHTON 01547 529530 www.galleryknighton.co.uk Homemade soups, breads and cakes, Italian blend coffee and over 30 different varieties of leaf tea. Wednesday to Saturday. 9.30 to 4.30pm, (Sun, Mon & Tues - CLOSED). THE WORKHOUSE CAFE, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, PRESTEIGNE 01544 267864 Cafe, gallery, light lunches, good coffee, homemade cakes. Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm. RHOS MARKET GARDEN, KNIGHTON 01547 528315 Growers and providers of Organic veg, fruit and flowers. Eco cleaning products and refills. Large range of groceries and wholefoods. Old Garage Shop, Knighton. Open Tues-Sat, free parking, opposite the old library. Friday morning market stall in Presteigne. Veg boxes delivered to local area weekly. Restaurant orders welcome. info@rhosorganic.co.uk www.rhosorganic.co.uk RUTH WATSON RESTAURATEUR AND PRIVATE COOK. Bespoke Food for all Occasions. Parties, special occasions, holiday home catering, pop-up food. Friendly personal service. Ring or email: 01544 350559/ 07870 752325. ruthwatsonfood@gmail.com YARBOROUGH HOUSE BOOKSHOP, MARKET SQUARE, BISHOP’S CASTLE 01588 638318 CAFE serving coffee, tea and cakes. Open Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, 10am-5pm. SPECIALISES IN Secondhand classical music, 5000 CDs, 1000 LPs, 7000 books. Come and browse.

Mon 15 April CAFE OPENING - THE LOST ARC New family friendly cafe. The Lost Arc, The Old Drill Hall, off Bridge St, Rhayader. Open Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun 8am-4.30pm, www.thelostarc.co.uk Tues 16 April REMARKABLE ROMAN COOKERY Make a Libum, a sweet cheesecake and more. For ages 4-11 years old. Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, 10am-11.30am, £7.50, booking essential, 01588 676060.

Wed 24 April POETRY BREAKFAST Poems and a delicious breakfast at Aardvark Books, Brampton Bryan, Bucknell, 9.30am-10.30am, £8, details annadreda@icloud.com Fri 26 April SYRIAN CUISINE NIGHT The joy of cooking, sharing and eating. The Herb Garden Community Cafe, Llandrindod Wells, 7.30pm, 01597 823082. Every Saturday LUDLOW COUNTRY MARKET 9am-12pm at The Womens Centre, Ludlow. Local produce, handicrafts, plants & veg, cut flowers, cards. First Saturday of every month PRESTEIGNE LOCAL FOOD MARKET Memorial Hall Presteigne, 9am-1pm. The best collection of artisan food producers in the area. 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month KNIGHTON COMMUNITY MARKET Knighton Community Centre, 9.30am-12.30pm, 07751 221487. 3rd Saturday of every month FARMER’S MARKET Bishop’s Castle Town Hall, 9am-1pm, 01588 630023. 3rd Saturday of every month PRODUCE MARKET Hightown Community Rooms, Vicarage Rd. Clun, 10.00am - 12.00pm. 01588 641180. Every Wednesday CURRY NIGHT Curry, naan bread and a drink, £10. Vegetarian option available. Oxford Arms, Kington. Every Thursday HAY MARKET DAY Local produce, meat and fish, hot food, artisan bread, cakes, crafts, vintage, plants. Memorial Square and Clock Tower, Hay-on-Wye, 9am-4pm, www.haymarkets.co.uk Every 2nd & 4th Thursday LUDLOW LOCAL PRODUCE MARKET 9-2pm Castle Square 01584 872043. Every Friday KINGTON LOCAL PRODUCE/CRAFTS MARKET Market Hall, Kington, 9am-1pm, 07867 483135.

Why not advertise your eating establishment? IT’S ONLY £40 FOR THE WHOLE YEAR Just post the wording you require (around 40 words) together with a cheque payable to ‘Broad Sheep’ and post to: The Lodge, Westhide, Hereford, HR1 3RQ

BROAD sheep

Thurs 4 April & Fri 3 May SWAN BREWERY TASTING 4 April - Launching Swan Blonde. 3 May - Launching Swan on the Wye. Open 9am-6pm. Swan Brewery, Unit 17 Rural Enterprise Centre, Brunel Rd, Leominster, 01568 617709.

music

APRIL Mon 1 April CIDER CITY JAZZMEN The Barrels, St Owen’s St, Hereford, 01432 274968. AMERICANA SESSION Grape Vaults, Leominster, 8pm. QUIZ The Bell Inn, Leominster, 8.30pm, 07944 845223. APRIL FOOL’S QUIZ Hosted by Martin Chapple, 7.30pm, £2.50 per person to include food/prizes. Theme - Clowns, Fools and Comedy. Volunteer, Harold St, Hereford. BRIMFIELD FOLK CLUB Brimfield Village Hall, Brimfield, near Ludlow, 7.30pm, 01584 711480 www. roger435.wixsite.com/brimfieldfolkclub

Tues 2 April VINTAGE JAZZ REVIVAL Rose and Crown, Ludlow, 9pm.

Wed 3 April THE DRAGON BAND The Horse and Jockey, Churchstoke.

Get the Blessing

Thurs 4 April THE BUTCHERS DOGS Toby and John invite you to a fun musical evening plus support. Dukes Arms, Presteigne, 8.30pm, £3 on the door. GET THE BLESSING Blending mutant jazz sensibilities with spacey electronics and post rock atmosphere. Queen’s Head, Monmouth, 8.30pm, 01600 712767.

WEIRDSHIRE GIG Featuring Howie Reeve. Babar Cafe, Union St, Hereford, 7.30pm, free. LUCIE JONES - THIS IS ME Award-winning West End musical theatre star. Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £18, students £14, 01873 850805.

TŶHAI - INDO / CELTIC TRIO Fusion of Celtic and Indian music, JOSH JAMES featuring lyrical Indian singer, Rajesh Housman’s Bar & Restaurant, David, Dylan Fowler, guitar and Pete Church Stretton. Stacey soprano saxophone and alto SOUTH POWYS YOUTH MUSIC GALA flute. Upstairs at the Chapel, The Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny, 8pm, Programme includes Dvorak, £12, 01873 852690. Mendelssohn, Vaughan-Williams and more. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, LIVE MUSIC 7pm, £7.50, under 18s free, De Koffie Pot, Bridge St, Hereford, 7pm. 01874 611622. ARTHUR EBELING STONED CHERRIES £22 includes meal. Nori’s Cafe, Church St Leominster, 01568 612876, noriscafe@yahoo.com please book.

Crown Inn, Oakengates, Telford. THE KINGSIZE SLIM Prince of Wales, Ledbury, 8pm.

STURLA EIDE & PHILIP MILES Award-winning musicians, Sturla Eide (Hardanger-fiddle), and Philip Miles (piano & piano accordion) perform their first UK tour weaving their differing musical roots into a wonderfully diverse yet intricate tapestry of sound. Expect to hear the finest folk melodies on piano, accordion and fiddle. The duo will also teach a folk tune workshop at 5:30pm for an hour. Bring your instrument and learn new tunes aurally. (Notation also provided) Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross, Hereford, 7.30pm. For tickets and info: www.eidemiles.com See Music Workshops. OPEN MIC/JAM Hosted by Wayne Martin. The Vaults, Bishop’s Castle. ALMELEY STEADY SESSION The Bells Inn, Almeley, near Kington, www.almeleysteadysession.wordpress. com

Sat 6 April THE ELVIS YEARS The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, £22.50/£20.50, interval treats £7.95, 01432 340555. THE LOST CHORD Gordon Bennetts, St Peter’s Square, Hereford, 9pm, free. BLACK HEART ANGELS Reet Petite, West St, Leominster. READING PHOENIX CHOIR Choral concert. Programme includes pieces by Anton Bruckner, William Byrd, Thomas Morley, Vaughan Williams and more. Lady Chapel, Hereford Cathedral, 1pm, free, collection at the end on behalf of Age UK.

Reading Phoenix Choir

Fri 5 April HE WRITES THE SONGS The Manilow Songbook. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £20, 01743 281281. THE JAGUARS Rock ‘n’ roll. Golden Cross, Sutton St Nicholas, Hereford. THE LUDLOW ENGLISH SONG WEEKEND Featuring at St Laurence, Ludlow, ‘Emerging Talent’ at 3pm. ‘When Smoke Stood Up from Ludlow’ at 7pm. At Assembly Rooms, Ludlow - welcome reception at 5pm, film ‘O Thou Transcendent: The Life of Ralph Vaughan Williams, 9.15pm. 01584 878141, www.ludlowenglishsongweekend.com FLOCK OF WORDS Featuring Whalebone and poet Kate Innes. Quatt Village Hall, Quatt, 7.30pm, £10, 01746 781759. HAMS SONG SESSION Monkland Arms, Monkland, near Leominster, 01568 720510. DESERT ISLAND PICKS With Dame Jacqueline Wilson. Part of Independence Week. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 8pm, £5, 01497 821762. 60S BIG NITE OUT Featuring The Merseybeats and supported by The Dakotas. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £21.50, 01743 281281. ALTERNATIVE ROUTES Bull Inn, Shrewsbury. HELLS BELLS AC/DC tribute. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 8pm, 01600 719401.

MAGIC - A KIND OF QUEEN Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £22, 01873 850805.

THE ALL TONES Gordon Bennetts, St Peter’s Square, Hereford, 9pm, free. LE VENT DU NORD Quebecois folk music performing original songs inspired by their tradition. Presteigne Assembly Rooms, 8pm, £12 from The Workhouse (cash) and wegottickets.com MUSIC RHYTHM AND THE BRAIN Old Skool beats. Chang Thai Bar, Luldow, 8pm, free. PASSAMEZZO EARLY DANCE The musicians of Fleur de Lys present ‘A Handefull of Pleasant Delites’. 15th century music and dance from the courts of Europe. The Lion Ballroom, Leominster, 7.30pm, £12, students £6, 01568 616460 or on the door. WHOSE HANDS ARE THESE Yew Tree, Peterstow, 9pm. THE WEEKENDERS Dun Cow, Shrewsbury. MARK LATIMER / TREV DAVIES TRIO Chequers, Etnam St, Leominster.

Le Vent du Nord

THE LUDLOW ENGLISH SONG WEEKEND At Assembly Rooms, Ludlow ‘Transcendence, Cherries, Lunar Eclipses, Peals of Bells’, panel discussion. ‘Selling Song’, 5pm. At St Laurence, Ludlow - ‘Heart’s Haven’, 11.30am. ‘The Passing Year’, 2.30pm. ‘Across the Plain’, 8pm. Patrick Gale, acclaimed writer at The Sitting Room, Blue Boar, Ludlow, 4pm. 01584 878141, www.ludlowenglishsongweekend.com DJ MAX GALACTIC Hay Independence Party. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 9.30am, £10 (cash only), 01497 821762. THE TIME DIVERS Crown Inn, Oakengates, Telford. SHREWSBURY CANTATA CHOIR Performing Verdi Requiem. Alington Hall, Shrewsbury School, 7.30pm, £15, students, under 18s free, 01588 638728. SOLANA AND DJ LES EARTHDOCTOR Global Cafe night with taster dishes from around the world. The Lost Arc, Rhayader, 7.30pm, £12, 07980 2622448. 60S/70S DISCO NIGHT The Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 8pm, £10, 01432 357753.

WHIFFELDY Barn dance. Band and caller, Credenhill Community Hall, Station Rd, Hereford, 7.30pm, Ploughman’s supper, £8/£4 from Gordon 01432 760312.

Steeleye Span

SIRKIS / BALIAS IQ This quartet creates music with influences from contemporary classical, Polish folk, South India and the best of jazz. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £18, under 22s £9, 01743 234970. Shrewsbury Jazz Network.

Sun 7 April A VERY SPECIAL EVENING WITH RUSSELL WATSON Accompanied by his pianist and guest choir. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, £45, interval treats £7.95, 01432 340555.

Sat 6 April MARCHES CHOIR AND SINFONIA 65 strong choir. Programme includes Puccini and Mozart. St John’s Church, Bishop’s Castle, 7.30pm, £12, children/ students free, 01588 650448 or on the door. HEREFORD STRING ORCHESTRA Programme includes Handel, Mozart, Rutter, Svendsen and Grieg. Holy Trinity Church, Hereford, 7.30pm, 01568 760633.

PHOENIX SINGERS Spring concert. ‘Hear My Prayer’. An evening of sublime music including Rutti’s Requiem and Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer. Natalie Clifton-Griffith & Catherine Rooney (sopranos), James Berry (bass) and Alexander Mason (organ). St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £12, under 18s free, 01939 291467 or on the door. www.phoenixsingersshrewsbury.co.uk THE UNCONVENTIONALS Bull Inn, Shrewsbury.

April 2019 Friday 12th April, 7 for 7.30pm Curry and Quiz, £12 per person

Proceeds to RENEW. Radnorshire Enterprise for Nature, Education and Wellbeing. Booking essential. bookings@herbgardencafe.co.uk or call 01597 823082.

Fri 19th April, 7 for 7.30pm Open Mic Night

Old, young, aspiring, retiring. This is the venue to mix up old and new musical skills. Free entry, bar, light refreshments and soup available.

Friday 26th, 7.30 for 8.00pm Syrian Cuisine Night

A Syrian cuisine evening bringing people together through the simple joy of cooking, sharing and eating. The Herb Garden chefs will be learning from our friends from Syria. Menu coming shortly. Booking essential. Go to: bookings@herbgardencafe.co.uk or call the Cafe on 01597 823082.

The Herb Garden Community Cafe, 5 Spa Centre, Station Crescent, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5BB 01597 823082 www.herbgardencafe.co.uk Open daily 10am-4pm, closed Sunday

SUNDOWN SESSIONS With Sundown Jazz Society. The Speakeasy, Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 7pm. THE QUARTET Playing The American Songbook. Dick Pearce, trumpet;, Mike Blakesley, trombone; Stuart Goodhew, keyboard and Chris Bolton, double bass. The Wild Pig, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £7. THE LUDLOW ENGLISH SONG WEEKEND At St Laurence, Ludlow - Susan Bullock, masterclass, 10am. Young Composers Showcase, 2pm. ‘Excellent Discourse’, 3pm. Festival Evensong, 5pm. Assembly Rooms, Ludlow - ‘Is the Pretty Maid Still Milking Her Cow?’ Panel discussion, 12pm. 01584 878141, www.ludlowenglishsongweekend.com LIVE JAZZ Featuring Dixie Hotshots. Richmond Club, Edgar St, Hereford, 7.30pm, £7, 01432 276304. ANDREW PEARCE The Grape Vaults, Leominster, 3-6pm. FRENCH HORN CONNEXTION AND THE HOLCOMBE ALPHORN DUO David Garbutt and friends. Town Hall, Bishop’s Castle, 3pm, £7, 01588 630023. PANIC STATION Prince of Wales, Ledbury, 4pm. WINTERREISE International tenor Ilker Arcayurek and piano accompanist Martin Pickard perform Schubert’s great song cycle, Winterreise. Assembly Rooms, Presteigne, 8pm, £15 from The Workhouse (cash) and online wegottickets.com

SKB BAND Dun Cow, Shrewsbury.

Ilker Arcayurek, Winterreise

OVERBOARD Covers. Golden Cross, Sutton St Nicholas, Hereford. THE OPERA BOYS A blend of music ranging from opera to pop. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 7.30pm, £19, 01584 811442. DR JONES Funk, soul and hip hop. Chang Thai Bar, Luldow, 8pm, free. FRIDAY LIVE Featuring Mr Woodnote & Jimvincible. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 8pm, early bird ticket £6, 01497 821762. VONHORN & SHOP FRONT HEROES Gordon Bennetts, St Peter’s Square, Hereford, 9pm, free. BIG TEA FUNDRAISER Chris Money on piano, with music and song. St Edward’s Church Hall, Knighton, 3-5pm, £3 on the door, includes tea and cake; stalls. Knighton & District Refugee Support Group, 01544 260766.

VO FLETCHER Prince of Wales, Ledbury, 8pm.

Mon 8 April

CURRY AND QUIZ Proceeds to Radnorshire Enterprise for Nature, Education and Wellbeing. The Herb Garden Community Cafe, Llandrindod Wells, 7pm, £12 each, booking essential, 01597 823082, bookings@herbgardencafe.co.uk

STEELEYE SPAN Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £26-£23, 01743 281281.

Tues 9 April VINTAGE JAZZ REVIVAL Rose and Crown, Ludlow, 9pm. BRECON JAZZ CLUB The Muse, Brecon, 8pm, £10/£12, info@breconjazzclub.org

Fri 12 April HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPELIN Tribute band. Pavilion, Llandrindod Wells, tickets from £10, 01597 258118.

FOLK IN THE FOYER Featuring Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7.30pm, 01885 488575. HIS WAY - THE SINATRA STORY Featuring Robert Habermann. Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £15/£14, 01873 850805. FAITH The George Michael Legacy. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7.30pm, £23.50, 01874 611622.

Healing retreat sunny Portugal

Wed 10 April THE DRAGON BAND The Horse and Jockey, Churchstoke. THE MIGHTY SPRING QUIZ The Chequers Inn, Leominster, 8.30pm, 07944 845223. HAY MUSIC Featuring Alice Earll, violin. ‘Dancing with Bach’, a recital and discussion. The Cinema, Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, 7.30pm, £14, students £7, 01497 822010. THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, 01600 719401.

Thurs 11 April THE BOYS FROM THE ALL-NIGHT CHEMIST Crown Inn, Oakengates, Telford. CONCERTS AND CAKES Featuring Anne Denholm. Matinee concert, free tea and cake, relaxed dementia friendly. Pavilion, Llandrindod Wells, tickets from £6, 01597 258118.

Want to escape the routine of life, tired of feeling low? Then join us in this magical sanctuary, you will release negative emotions and higher your vibrations with Gong therapy sound journeying, energy healing, spiritual awakening talks, cacao moon rituals, light yoga and much more. Vegetarian organic meals. A day on the beach. For more information please contact melainaevans01@gmail.com or visit higherconscious.org Longer stays available. This is non profit retreat you will be surprised at our prices. 5 days £450 time spent here after 5day are charged at £25 per day.

BAD SPANIEL The Plough, Whitecross Rd, Hereford. THE FORFEITS Gordon Bennetts, St Peter’s Square, Hereford, 9pm, free. SKEWWHIFF Reet Petite, West St, Leominster. BLUZEBOX The Vaults, Bishop’s Castle. LITTLE RUMBA A little South American, a little East European, moody and very witty. The Falcon Hotel, Bromyard, 8pm, £6 or £10 (including free album, 01544 267163.

A Brief History of Music

PAMA INTERNATIONAL The Lost Arc, Rhayader, 8pm, £12.50, 07980 2622448.

LIZA PULMAN SINGS STREISAND The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, £25, interval treats £7.95, 01432 340555. THE WEST END AT THE MOVIES Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, 01600 719401.

Sun 14 April BLUES SUNDAY Featuring Wayne Martin Band. Richmond Place Club, Edgar St, Hereford, 3-5pm, 01432 270211. OPEN MIC Yew Tree, Peterstow, 3pm.

BELLAMONDA Circle dance. Church Barn, Church Lane, Bishop’s Castle. Eastern European music, simple dances to celebrate spring. 01588 630648.

THE WEST END AT THE MOVIES Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7.30pm, £16/£14, 01874 611622.

Sat 13 April

ELECTRIC SADDLES The Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 3.30pm, free, 01432 357753.

SALT HOUSE Jenny Sturgeon, Ewan MacPherson and Lauren MacColl. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 7.45pm, £12, 01743 234970.

AN EVENING WITH ELVIS 2019 Featuring Keith Davies and his own ‘Memphis Mafia’. Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £12.50, 01873 850805.

SUNDOWN SESSIONS With Sundown Jazz Society. The Speakeasy, Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 7pm.

Fri 12 April A BRIEF HISTORY OF MUSIC Presented by Greenmatthews. 600 years of musical history in 90 minutes! The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.45pm, £15/£12, 01432 340555.

LIVE IN THE BAR Featuring Mice in a Matchbox. Monkland Arms, Monkland, near Leominster, 9pm, 01568 720510. A CONCERT OF BAROQUE AND RENAISSANCE MUSIC For harpsichord, voice and viola da Gamba. Featuring Yat-Soon Yeo, Claire Horacek and Lucy Green. St Mary’s Church, Hay-on-Wye, 7.30pm, £12 on the door or 07904 784239. LUDLOW CHORAL SOCIETY ‘Made in Prague’. Programme includes Vivaldi, Mozart, Smetana, Dvorak. St Laurence Church, Ludlow, 7.30pm, £12, under 18s free, 01584 878141, www.ludlowchoral.org.uk SULTANA BROTHERS The Secret Garden, Coldwells Rd, Hereford, 07715 953497. LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £19.50, 01743 281281. EIRA SNOW ‘Maurice El Medioni’, a new film celebrating the life and music of the Godfather of PainOriental, together with live music from jazz multiinstrumentalist Eira Snow. De Koffie Pot, the Left Bank, Bridge St, hereford, 7.30pm, £10/£8, www.herefordleftbank. com

STEADY EDD & THE BOOGIEMEN Join Martin Danks for a boogie and a jive. Vaga Tavern, Hereford, 8pm, 01432 509266.

WARREN JAMES TRIO Prince of Wales, Ledbury, 4pm.

CATHERINE LOUIS GEACH & DAVID PONSFORD Soprano and violin with harpsichord. Programme includes JS Bach, Handel, Scarlatti and CPE Bach. Lion Ballroom, 3pm, £12, students £6, 01568 616460.

Liza Pulman

Yat-Soon Yeo, Claire Horacek & Lucy Green, Baroque Concert, 13 April

THE ENDINGS Crown Inn, Oakengates, Telford.

Fri 19 April THE RONALDOS The Barrels, St Owen St, Hereford, 8.30pm. OPEN MIC Hosted by Troy Redfern. Reet Petite, West St, Leominster. MISHA DAWN Golden Cross, Sutton St Nicholas, Hereford.

Sun 14 April STEVE FAIRBRACHE The Grape Vaults, Leominster, 3-6pm. LIVE JAZZ Plus Sunday roasts. Local quartet plays well-known standards, Latin and blues. Free entry, cocktails, light bites or book a table for lunch. The Cliffe at Dinham, Ludlow, 12.30-3pm, 01584 872063.

Mon 15 April SPEED QUIZ The Bell Inn, Leominster, 8pm for 8.30pm, 07944 845223.

Tues 16 April CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET Programme includes Beethoven, Britten and Saint Saens. The Gateway, Shrewsbury, 01743 365561. UNDERSTORIES With Whalebone and Jean Atkin. Poetry and music. Ludlow Library, 3pm, free. VINTAGE JAZZ REVIVAL Rose and Crown, Ludlow, 9pm.

Wed 17 April THE DRAGON BAND The Horse and Jockey, Churchstoke.

BLUE IVORY Sonya & Richard will be performing a cool set of hot jazzy blues. Housemans Bar & Restaurant, Church Stretton, 8pm.

Thurs 18 April THE CHRISTIANS Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 7.30pm, £24, 01584 811442. OPEN MIC Hosted by Martin Chapple. Full PA etc. The Wobbly Brewery Tap Room, Hereford, 8pm, info email martinchapple1@gmail.com PERRY FOSTER Prince of Wales, Ledbury, 8pm. DAVE LUKE & CHUCK MICALLEF Dave and Chuck return to their favourite hostelry for an evening of Country and Americana. The Dukes Arms, Presteigne, 8.30pm, £5. BLUES NIGHT Reet Petite, West St, Leominster. AMERICANA SESSION Talbot Hotel, Leominster, 8.30pm. PAUL PARKER AND ALL THE RIGHT FRIENDS The Vaults, Bishop’s Castle.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MUSIC With musicians Annie Summers, Paul Cooper-James, Dr Stefan Scott and Sue Hughes. Featuring key pieces illustrating how music evolved over time. St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Leintwardine, 1pm, retiring collection. UNDER COVER HIPPY Solo tour. De Koffie Pot, The Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 8pm, £10, 01432 357753.

SAVING GRACE A co-operative including Robert Plant and Suzi Dian vocals, Tony Kelsey mandolin, baritone and acoustic guitars, Matt Worley banjo, acoustic and baritone guitars and Oli Jefferson percussion. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, £22.50, 01600 719401.

‘Understories’, Whalebone

RP MCMURPHY Gordon Bennetts, St Peter’s Square, Hereford, 9pm, free. OPEN MIC NIGHT Old and new musical skills. Free entry, bar, light refreshments and soup available. The Herb Garden Community Cafe, Llandrindod Wells, 7pm, 01597 823082. THE MIRRORS Dun Cow, Shrewsbury. THE HEY YARH’S De Koffie Pot, Bridge St, Hereford, 8.30pm. WHISKEY RIVER Rockin’ Cajun, Zydeco, blues, roots ‘n’ country. Easter Shenanigans. Out to Grass, Woodend Farm, Cradley, WR13 5JW, £9, under 16s £5. SONYA SMITH Playing acoustic guitar, singing original songs and popular covers. The Dog & Bull, Whitchurch, 8.30pm.

Sat 20 April THE DRYSTONES Playing a lively mix of their own interpretations of traditional folk tunes and original compositions. Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £16/£14, 01873 850805.

Open Mic hosted by Troy Redfern, 19 April

TREVOR DAVIES TRIO A fantastic programme from jazz trio, featuring Trevor Davies on guitar and Dane Cranenberg on bass. Aardvark Books, Brampton Bryan, Bucknell 11am-2pm, free, 01547 530744. WALK RIGHT BACK The Everly Brothers story. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £24, 01743 281281.

Sun 21 April MUSIC SESSION Monkland Arms, Monkland, near Leominster, 7.30pm, 01568 720510. LITTLE DAVE The Grape Vaults, Leominster, 3-6pm. THE WILBER PROJECT Prince of Wales, Ledbury, 4pm.

Sat 20 April MEAN BUSINESS Reet Petite, West St, Leominster. ELECTRIC SADDLES The Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 3.30pm, free, 01432 357753. PHOENIX Gordon Bennetts, St Peter’s Square, Hereford, 9pm, free.

OUT OF ORDER Llanerch Inn, Llandrindod Wells. ZERO TALENT & LAST TREE SQUAD Ska, punk, reggae, hip hop and dub. The Lost Arc, Rhayader, 8pm, £5, 07980 2622448. THE RONALDOS Housman’s Bar & Restaurant, Church Stretton.

SUNDOWN SESSIONS With Sundown Jazz Society. The Speakeasy, Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 7pm. TWO PUSH CHARLIE Gordon Bennetts, St Peter’s Square, Hereford, 9pm, free. EASTER EGG HUNT Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 2pm, www.globeathay.org QUIZ Vaga Tavern, Hereford, 7pm.

Tues 23 April RICHIE & ROSIE Upstairs at the Chapel, The Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny, 8pm, £12, 01873 852690. ST GEORGE’S DAY OPEN MIC Hosted by Martin Chapple. Full PA etc. Volunteer Inn, Harold St, Hereford, 8pm, martinchapple1@gmail.com VINTAGE JAZZ REVIVAL Rose and Crown, Ludlow, 9pm.

Wed 24 April VO FLETCHER & PHIL BOND Guitar, piano and accordion. A very special evening of acoustic music. Nori’s Cafe, Leominster, £22 includes meal, 01568 612876 or noriscafe@ yahoo.com for bookings. ALBERT JONES AND BAND Plus support Mollie Ann and Ren. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall, £10, 01588 630023. KELLY SISTERS Harp duo currently studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7.30pm, £14/£12, 01874 611622. QUIZ NIGHT Monkland Arms, Monkland, near Leominster, 8.30pm, 01568 720510.

THE DRAGON BAND The Horse and Jockey, Churchstoke.

Thurs 25 April CARA DILLON Irish singer who will be performing material from her new album with husband Sam Lakeman. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £23.50, 01743 281281. OPEN MIC Hosted by Howard Bell and Clare Bennett. Crown Inn, Oakengates, Telford. THE RUMBLE STRIPS Rock ‘n’ roll review. The Dukes Arms, Presteigne, 9pm. HAUS MUSIK @THE JUDGE’S LODGING An evening that breaks all the rules of live classical music experience. Mid Wales Opera’s OpenStages company take over Presteigne’s iconic Judge’s Lodging. 7-9pm, £8, www.wegottickets.co.uk www.midwalesopera.co.uk TAMARA STEWART, DEMI MARRINER & LADY NADE ‘Writers in the Round’. Prince of Wales, Ledbury, 8pm. THAT’LL BE THE DAY Hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £27.50-£24, 01743 281281.

Fri 26 April LITTLE RUMBA A little South American, a little East European, moody and very witty. Leominster Comunnity Centre, 8pm, £6 or £10 (including free album). From Leominster TIC or 01544 267163.

Cara Dillon BUILTH MALE VOICE CHOIR With Dolau Mixtures Choir and Catherine O’Rourke. Holy Trinity Church, Llandrindod Wells, 7.30pm, £8 on the door or 01597 851427 or www.WeGotTickets.com LIVE DINNER JAZZ Local quartet plays well-known standards, Latin and blues. Free entry, cocktails, light bites or book a table for dinner. The Cliffe at Dinham, Ludlow, 8 - 10.30pm, 01584 872063.

Sat 27 April ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN ‘Romantic Perfection’. Programme includes Strauss, Tchaikovsky and Mozart. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7.30pm, £10, 01885 488575. Arts Alive. TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 11am, www.globeathay.org

The Pales Quaker Meeting House Llandegley LD1 5UH 2019 events for all, in an inspiring setting in the Radnorshire hills

SONS OF PLUTO Golden Cross, Sutton St Nicholas, Hereford. OPEN MIC Hosted by Mark Richards. The Sun, Leintwardine, 8pm. FRIDAY LIVE Featuring NAWR Experimental Music Night. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 7.30pm, £5 cash only, 01497 821762. T.REXTASY Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 8pm, £18, students £23, 01873 850805. ROUGH NECKS Dun Cow, Shrewsbury. HEBRIDES ENSEMBLE Programme includes Debussy, Bernstein, Nigel Osborne and Dvorak. The Gateway, Shrewsbury, 01743 365561. LIVE MUSIC Gordon Bennetts, St Peter’s Square, Hereford, 9pm, free.

APRIL 4 Thurs, 10.30am: ‘ECO ENGINEERING’ Explore hydrogen-fuelled cars (am) and air / ground source heat pump domestic heating (pm). APRIL 24 Wed, 10.30am-4pm: POETRY DAY Discuss the theme of death in poetry, with Trish Munn and Linda Murray-Hale. MAY 15 Wed, 10.30am-4pm: WHAT LURKS IN THE GRASS? Study beetles and other animals with Jeff Beatty. JUNE 5, 12, 19, Wed, 10am-4pm: ‘BE INSPIRED BY NATURE’ Three Art days tutored by Sandy Craig. JULY 2 Tues, 10am-4pm: SING AND WALK In the Radnorshire landscape. Led by Sue Harris. JULY 20 Sat: SUMMER CONCERT AUGUST 15, Thurs: GREEN ART FOR ALL AGES Make your own art from the materials around you.

For more details and booking see thepales.org.uk

New Grass Cutters

Sun 28 April TONY JACOBS & JIM BARRY ‘The Melody Lingers On: Gershwin, Porter & Other Great Songwriters’. St Mary’s Church, Hay-on-Wye, 7.30pm, £12, www.hayjazz.org or 07748 652194. MICE IN A MATCHBOX The Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 2pm, free, 01432 357753. LIVE IN THE BAR Featuring Steve Bonham. Monkland Arms, Monkland, near Leominster, 9pm, 01568 720510. HOT CLIMATE Gordon Bennetts Bar, St Peter’s Square, Hereford 01432 360250.

Sat 27 April SATURDAY SHENANIGANS Featuring Port Erin. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 8pm, advance tickets £6, 01497 821762. SATURDAY NIGHT STEAMPUNK CABARET Acts include Ichabod Steam’s DarkSide, Mr Alexander’s Travelling Show, Kiss Like Ether, Greg Chapman, magician, Lux Delioux and The Captain of The Lost Waves. Assembly Rooms, Shire Hall, Hereford, 7pm, £16 online from www.david-smith-events.co.uk LOS SQUID Reet Petite, West St, Leominster. EDDY GARTRY’S MAGIC JIVE BAND Featuring guitar maestro, Micha Sprenger and Mystery Brass Gang. Dance the night away. Support from Vintage Vinyl DJ. Priest Weston Village Hall, 7.30pm, £5, 07740 124513. THE BIG BLIND Brought to Shropshire from Sweden. Masterful storytelling (Dominic Kelly) accompanied by two stunning musicians, accordion (Lief Ottoson) and violin (Bridget Marsden). Ryton Village Hall, 8pm, £12.50, £8 children includes pre-show drink, 01743 719217 or 01743 719438. OUT OF ORDER The Plough, Whitecross Rd, Hereford. THE GOLDBLUMS The Secret Garden, Coldwells Rd, Hereford, 07715 953497. SOUTH SHROPSHIRE BLUES CLUB Featuring John Verity Band and Blue Moon. Ludlow Brewery, The Railway Shed, Station Drive, Ludlow, 8pm, £10 in advance, £12 on the door. Tickets from Mod Lang, Wood Yard, Ludlow or 01584 873291.

LEWIS CLARKE & THE ESSENTIALS The Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 6pm, free, 01432 357753. EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Family fun with the Groovy UV Show and special guests. Pavilion, Llandrindod Wells, tickets from £3, 01597 258818. ARCADIA MUSIC Featuring cellist Jonathan Swensen. Programme includes JS Bach, Handel, Ravel, Ligeti and others. St Giles, Downton on the Rock, 7.30pm, £15, 01584 878141 at the door if available. ONYX BRASS One of Europe’s finest brass quintets. The Priory, Leominster, 4pm, £15, students £7.50, tickets from Leominster TIC 01568 616460. NEWGRASS CUTTERS Bluegrass to new arrangements of rock and pop classics. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £17.50, 01743 281281. ELLIOTT SANSOM TRIO Clun Valley Jazz. Town Hall, Bishop’s Castle, 8pm, £15, 01588 630023.

THE SUNDAY EVENING CHILL Live music from local bands and artists. The Red Lion, Knighton, 7.30pm, 01547 428080. SATURDAY NIGHT STEAMPUNK CABARET Acts include Ichabod Steam’s DarkSide, Mr Alexander’s Travelling Show, Kiss Like Ether, Greg Chapman, magician, Lux Delioux and The Captain of The Lost Waves. Assembly Rooms, Shire Hall, Hereford, 7pm, £16 online from www.david-smith-events.co.uk SUNDOWN SESSIONS With Sundown Jazz Society. The Speakeasy, Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 7pm. BLACK MOUNTAIN JAZZ CLUB Featuring The Gareth Roberts Quartet. The Melville Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, www.blackmountainjazz.co.uk JEFF CHAPMAN’S ROOSTERS Prince of Wales, Ledbury, 4pm. JENNY & THE JERMS Acoustic pop. The White Horse Inn, Clun, 5-7pm. BODY AND SOUL The Grape Vaults, Leominster, 3-6pm. STOKESAY COURT Public tour. Stockesay Court, Onibury, near Craven Arms, 2.30pm, booking essential, 01584 856238. BLUES SUNDAY Featuring Chicago Bytes. Richmond Place Club, Edgar St, Hereford, 3-5pm, 01432 270211.

Tues 30 April STOKESAY COURT Public tour. Stockesay Court, Onibury, near Craven Arms, 2.30pm, booking essential, 01584 856238. VINTAGE JAZZ REVIVAL Rose and Crown, Ludlow, 9pm.

Jed and Allie welcome you to the pub with folk at it’s heart Sun 31 March - DAY OF DANCE local and not-so-local Morris sides

WHAT’S ON IN APRIL Fri 5 April - HAMS SONG SESSION Sat 13 April - MICE IN A MATCHBOX ‘Live in the Bar’, 9pm Sun 21 April - MUSIC SESSION 7.30pm Wed 24 April - QUIZ NIGHT 8.30pm start Sat 27 April - STEVE BONHAM ‘Live in the Bar’, 9pm

Monkland Arms, Monkland, Leominster, HR6 9DE 01568 720510 www.themonklandarms.co.uk

Gordon Bennetts Bar, Hereford, 27 APRIL www.hotclimate.co.uk

MAY

TELFORD DRINKS FESTIVAL Featuring The Colin Hughes Band. Crown Inn, Oakengates, Telford.

Wed 1 May

ALMELEY STEADY SESSION The Bells Inn, Almeley, near Kington, www.almeleysteadysession.wordpress. com

THE BUTCHERS DOGS Toby and John invite you to a fun musical evening plus support. Dukes Arms, Presteigne, 8.30pm, £3 on the door. WARREN JAMES Housman’s Bar & Restaurant, Church Stretton. HELLENS MUSIC FESTIVAL ‘Hellens for All Times’. Much Marcle School Choir. Great Barn, Hellens, Much Marcle, 6pm, free. Hani Mojtahedy: ‘Melodies from the Middle East’. Kirdish singer-songwriter. St Bartholomew’s Church, Much Marcle, 8pm, £10, students free. 0333 666 3366, www.hellensmusic.com HAY MUSIC Featuring The Crayford, Clemmow, Welsh Piano Trio. St Mary’s Church, Hay-on-Wye, 7.30pm, www.haymusic. org THE DRAGON BAND The Horse and Jockey, Churchstoke. CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Featuring Charenee Wade 7pm, Jamie Cullum 8pm. www.cheltenhamfestvals. com, 01242 850270.

Thurs 2 May CONCERTS AND CAKES Featuring Anne Denholm. Matinee concert, free tea and cake, dementia friendly. Pavilion, Llandrindod Wells, tickets from £6, 01597 258118. HELLENS MUSIC FESTIVAL ‘Schubert, Weber and Brahms’. Piano, violins, viola, cello and clarinet. Great Barn, Hellens, Much Marcle, 8pm, £20, students free. Pre-concert supper 6.30pm. Concert ticket + supper + reserved seating £45. 0333 666 3366, www.hellensmusic.com

CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Featuring Ana Popovic 7pm. Buck & Billie 7pm. James Morrison 8.30pm. www.cheltenhamfestvals.com, 01242 850270.

Fri 3 May MARK LATIMER / TREV DAVIES TRIO Chequers, Etnam St, Leominster. HELLENS MUSIC FESTIVAL ‘Songs of Life, Loss and Love’. Mezzo-Soprano Alice Coote with Christian Blackshaw, piano. Programme includes Haydn and Mahler. St Bartholomew’s Church, 7pm, £20, students free. Pub Concert at The Walwyn Arms, Much Marcle, 9.30pm, featuring folk music, film music, classical and pop, £5. 0333 666 3366, www.hellensmusic.com THE USUAL SUSPECTS Rock and pop covers. Golden Cross, Sutton St Nicholas, Hereford. CRICKHOWELL CHORAL SOCIETY MUSIC FESTIVAL Scholars’ Recital. Clarence Hall, Crickhowell, 7.30pm, £10, students free, www.crickhowellchoralsociety.org 01873 810935. HAYWARD & THE BLUES BERRIES Dun Cow, Shrewsbury. CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Featuring Andreya Triana 6.30pm. Sunlight, 7pm. Alina Engibaryan, 7pm. The Song of Shoho, 8pm. Incognito & Friends, 8pm. Gilles Peterson presents Nubya Garcia, 8.30pm. Partisans, 9pm. Kansas Smitty’s Takeover, 11pm. 01242 850270. www.cheltenhamfestvals.com

Sat 4 May TELFORD DRINKS FESTIVAL Featuring Forbidden Skies. Crown Inn, Oakengates, Telford. HELLENS MUSIC FESTIVAL ‘Fantasy & Fairytale: Strings, Clarinet and Piano Ensemble’. Programme includes Schumann, Lili Boulanger, Stravinsky and Faure. Great Barn, Hellens, Much Marcle, 8pm, 0333 666 3366, www.hellensmusic. com RHYTHM THIEVES Plus support. Globe, Hay-on-Wye, £5 in advance, £7 on the door, 01497 821762. THEMED DISCO NIGHT 60s & 70s. The Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 8pm. CRICKHOWELL CHORAL SOCIETY MUSIC FESTIVAL Purcell: The Fairy Queen. St Edmund’s Church, Crickhowell, 7.30pm, £16, students free. www.crickhowellchoralsociety.org 01873 810935. LIVE MUSIC FRIDAYS De Koffie Pot, Bridge St, Hereford, 7pm, free. CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Featuring Jazz Exchange: Paris and Birmingham, 11am. Alfa Mist, 12.30pm. Katie Birtill, 12.30pm. Dan Weiss Starebaby, 4.30pm. Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya, 5.45pm. Georgie Fame & The Guy Barker Band, 5.45pm. Nikki Yeoh & Zoe Rahman, 7.15pm. Carmel, 7.30pm. Cherise Adams-Burnett, 7pm. Gilles Peterson presents: Vels Trio, 7.30pm. Gregory Porter, 9pm. Joshua Redman, 9.15pm. Michael Formanek Elusion Quartet, 10.15pm. Gilles Peterson presents: Joe Armon-Jones 10pm, Kansas Smitty’s Takeover 11pm. www.cheltenhamfestvals.com 01242 850270.

ELLA MARY LEATHER CELEBRATION IN WEOBLEY A day of history, song, dance and scripted presentation of Herefordshire folklore to bring her words and music to life. St Peter & Paul’s Church, Weobley, 10am-4pm, £5 adults, £2 children, tickets graham@thsaunders. me.uk BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST Traditional folk music, a touch of classical and jazz, with a bit of pop and music hall thrown in. The Burton Hotel, Kington, 8pm, £12 advance, £15 on the door, 01544 231732.

Sun 5 May STOKESAY COURT Public tour. Stockesay Court, Onibury, near Craven Arms, 2.30pm, booking essential, 01584 856238. JENNY AND THE JERMS Acoustic pop. The Oak, Wigmore, 8pm. THE DELTA LADIES Prince of Wales, Ledbury, 4pm. CRICKHOWELL CHORAL SOCIETY MUSIC FESTIVAL Bach: B Minor Mass. St Edmund’s Church, Crickhowell, 7.30pm, £16, students free. 01873 810935. www.crickhowellchoralsociety.org

CLUN GREEN MAN FESTIVAL Traditional springtime festival featuring Whalebone, The Endings, Toby Hay, Bouzatina, Rhythm Maker, David Roberts, Kirstie Miller plus Jack the Jester, Street Theatre, Wourdour Garrison’s Living History Village, Maypole Workshops, circus skills, pony rides, archery, Clun Mummers, Morris Dancing, traditional arts and crafts, demos and workshops. Clun, £5 in advance, £8 on the day, £1 under 10s in advance, £2 under 10s on the day, www.clungreenman.org.uk CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Featuring Vula Viel, 11am. Julie Campiche, 1.45pm, Yazz Ahmed: Polyhymnia, 12.30pm. Double Bill: Yola & Kizzy Crawford, 2pm. David Sanborn Acoustic Band, 2.15pm. The Bad Plus, 4pm, Hanna Paulsberg Concept, 4.15pm. Madeleine Peyroux, 5.30pm. Swing Out Sister, 5.45pm. Fred Hersch, 7pm. Emma Hatton, 7pm. Omar Sosa & Yilian Canizares, 7.30pm. Sinatra at the Sands: Curtis Stigers & The Ronnie Scott’s Big Band, 9pm. Kandace Springs, plus support from Harris/Wilkins, 9.15pm. Hermia Ceccaldi Darrifourcq, 9.45pm, Kansas Smitty’s Takeover, 11pm. www.cheltenhamfestvals.com, 01242 850270.

FIZZI The Grape Vaults, Leominster, 3-6pm. BILL JONES New album tour. Traditional, contemporary and self-penned songs on accordion and piano. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall, 7pm, £10, 01588 630023. HELLENS MUSIC FESTIVAL Masterclass programme finale. With Mate Szucs, Bruno Delepelair, Matthew Hunt and students from Hellensmusic’s masterclass programme. Great Barn, Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, 11.30am & 3.30pm. 0333 666 3366, www.hellensmusic.com

Mon 6 May CIDER CITY JAZZMEN The Barrels, St Owen’s St, Hereford, 01432 274968. ELLA MARY LEATHER CELEBRATION IN WEOBLEY 11am EML themed walk around Weobley. Start at Museum. 2pm Singing workshop on ‘All Under a May Moon’ with Lydia Wells, North Isle of Weobley Church, £3.50 donation to church funds. 7.30pm, Ceilidh with Wiffeldy, Hopelands Village Hall, £8, tickets graham@thesaunders.me.uk

A CONCERT OF BAROQUE & RENAISSANCE MUSIC For Harpsichord, Voice and Viola Da Gamba St Mary’s Church, Hay-on-Wye 13 April, 7.30pm, £12 on the door or

Philip Miles & Sturla Eide, Folk Duo Workshop

www.eventbrite.co.uk 07904 784239 Mon 6 May CLUN GREEN MAN FESTIVAL See 5 May for details. www.clungreenman.org.uk CRICKHOWELL CHORAL SOCIETY MUSIC FESTIVAL Featuring ALAW, Welsh folk trio. Clarence Hall, Crickhowell, 7pm, £10, students free. 01873 810935. www.crickhowellchoralsociety.org QUIZ The Bell Inn, Leominster, 8.30pm. BRIMFIELD FOLK CLUB Brimfield Village Hall, Brimfield, near Ludlow, 7.30pm, 01584 711480 www.roger435.wixsite.com/brimfieldfolkclub AMERICANA SESSION Grape Vaults, Leominster, 8pm. CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Featuring Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids, 11am. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, 1pm. Lydian Collective & Rue, 2.30pm. Level 42, 4.30pm. National Youth Jazz Orchestra, 6.30pm. Katie Melua, 8.30pm. 01242 850270, www.cheltenhamfestvals.com.

Tues 8 May VINTAGE JAZZ REVIVAL Rose and Crown, Ludlow, 9pm.

Music Workshops Thurs 4 April FOLK DUO WORKSHOP Come and learn folk tunes preceding Sturla and Philip’s concert. Bring any instrument or just come along and listen! Tunes will be learnt aurally but notation will also be provided. Tickets available at: www.folkduo.co.uk Holy Trinity Church, 164 Whitecross Rd, Hereford, 5.30-6.30pm, £12.50, concert and workshop £25, www.folkduo.co.uk Sat 13 April SPRING RESOUNDING: WORKSHOP With Sue Harris. Ability to read music is not required. Bleddfa Centre, Bleddfa, near Knighton, 10am-4.30pm, £25, 01547 550377. Mon 22 - Sat 27 April DIDO & AENEAS Join Mid Wales Opera for an inspirational week of music making and rehearsals, culminating in two fully staged public performances of Purcell’s masterpiece at St Andrew’s Church Presteigne as well as an informal concert at The Judge’s Lodging, Presteigne. Open to all - amateur, student and professional musicians (string and voice) alongside each other over six days. Full details on website www.midwalesopera.co.uk Sun 28 April SHROPSHIRE HARMONY QUIRE Free Taster Session of West Gallery music for singers and instrumentalists! Led by Sue Harris. Bishop’s Castle Methodist Hall, Station Street. 2-5 pm. trevorchalkley@ gmail.com.

Sun 26 & Mon 27 May TWO EVENINGS OF MUSIC & DRAMA Open mic and more. In honour and memory of Mike James. If you would like to get involved on stage or on the night get in touch with Chrisie, 01568 612583 or chrisiej20@gmail.com Fri 21 - Sun 23 June VINYL VIBE FESTIVAL Claim rewards for a limited time and support this local festival - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/vinyl-vibe-festival-2019 Monday THE NEW TITLEY PHIL Good sight-reading skills and interested in playing mostly baroque music in a friendly chamber orchestra? Come and join “The New Titley Phil” – directed by baroque cellist and gambist David Hatcher. 2.15pm-4.45pm, Titley Village Hall, 07989 091949. Monday BRECON TOWN BAND REHEARSALS Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7pm, 07779 390954. Monday THE GARRICK SINGERS For over 60s. The Courtyard, Hereford, 2pm. £5 per session, 01432 340555. Mondays ALIVE & KICKIN’ CHOIR Old Muse, Glamorgan St, Brecon, 7-9pm, £5 public, £3 students/staff. tanyawalkermusic@hotmail.com Mondays CRAVEN ARMS MALE VOICE CHOIR All ages welcome singing a broad repertoire of traditional and modern songs. Practice at The Craven Arms Community Centre, 7.30pm. Martin on 01694 722500. Monday BANDAMANIA Traditional dance music from far and wide. Assembly Rooms, Presteigne 7.15pm, Sue Harris 01547 550158. Tuesday DOLAU MIXTURES Mixed choir. Dolau Community Hall, Llandrindod Wells, 8pm, 01597 851427. Tuesday LUNCHTIME UPLIFT SINGING SESSIONS Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 12.30pm, 01874 611622. Tuesday LEOMINSTER COMMUNITY CHOIR Choir leader: Olivia Preye. No auditions, no need to read music. World, folk music, anything goes. 7-8.30pm at Leominster Community Centre. 01568 369074. Tuesday ST MICHAELS SINGERS Welcome interest from new singers, (particularly basses and tenors!) If you are interested please phone our Chairperson Pat Mutton on 01584 819875. We meet on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm in St Michael’s Village Hall, near Tenbury Wells. Tuesdays SAMBA BRECON Sue on 07792 165481 or Gill on 01497 821631. 7-9pm, Village Hall just outside Brecon. Tuesday WHITTON VOICES Mixed community choir. Assembly Rooms, Presteigne, 8-10pm, £6. All welcome. Led by Sue Harris, 01547 550158. Wednesdays CASTLE VOICES Community choir, songs from around the globe, all taught by ear, led by Sue Harris. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall, 7-8.30pm, £6, 01547 550158.

Wednesday ROCKSPRING COMMUNITY CHOIR All welcome particularly men! Minimal charge. Rockspring Community Centre, Ludlow. 01584 529053. Wednesdays fortnightly PLAY IT BY EAR Scottish tunes. Stirring strathspeys, danceable jigs, brooding airs and romping reels from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Tunes are taught at a gentle pace, with plenty of help and encouragement along the way. All melody instruments welcome! Kitty Greenwood: www.folkfiddleteacher.co.uk £52 (8 weeks) or £7.50 p.w. The Pilgrim Centre, Craven Arms, 7.30 to 9.30 pm To book your place, contact Kitty, 01584 841564 Wednesday LUDLOW LARKS COMMUNITY CHOIR Led by Polly Bolton. Songs from around the world. Ludlow Women’s Centre, 7.30pm-9.30pm. 01584 823609 or info@oak-barn.co.uk or www.jollypages.co.uk/larks Wednesday MUSIC MAKING WITH A BEAT BANG BONG Creative classes, dementia friendly. The Courtyard, Hereford, 2-3.30pm, £2 per session, 01432 340555. Thursday EDGE CHAMBER CHOIR Auditioned chamber choir led by Ros Crouch. Friends Meeting House, Ludlow, 7.30-9.30pm. 01584 841053 or ros.crouch@gmail.com Thursday KINGTON COMMUNITY CHOIR Come and join us for rehearsals on Thursday evenings - 7pm-8.30pm at Kington Primary School. We are a non auditioning, mixed choir formed three years ago, now with 30 or so voices. We sing songs from the musicals, traditional, folk, pop and ballads, usually in 3 and 4 parts and give several performances a year. £4 per session. Enquiries to Teresa at t3mbk@hotmail.com

Thursday CLUNSONGBIRDS 10 -11.30am in Hightown Hall. Songs to brighten up the day, all taught by ear. £5 per week. Led by Sue Harris 01547 550158 sumarieharris@btinternet.com Thursday BELLA A CAPPELLA All-female 4-part close harmony singing group. Oscars, Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, 7.15-9.45pm, email aimoevo@hotmail.co.uk Thursday PRESTEIGNE POP CHOIR Contact John Hymas for details: 07969 440183, john@johnhymas.com Thursday VOICE ACADEMY AT THE COURTYARD For ages 13+. The Courtyard, Hereford, 4.30-6pm, £4 per session, 01432 340555. Thursday CANTORION LLANDRINDOD Mixed choir, early/classical music. Howey VH, 7.45pm, 01874 754774. First Thursdays BLACK HILL TUNE CLUB 2pm at the Crown Inn Longtown. Free. 01432 263495. Friday LITTLE HEREFORD VOICES COMMUNITY CHOIR We are a non-audition choir formed 7 years ago with 30+ mixed voices. Rehearsing at Little Hereford Village Hall, 7.30pm- 9.15pm. Subscriptions £3 per session (2018/2019 rate). Broad repertoire (usually 3 & 4 parts) – all welcome. More information, term dates etc: lhvoices.wix.com/home Friday BUZZY BEATS! A fun music filled morning for the under 5s. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 10.30am-11.30am, £6, £5 sibling, 01743 234970. Friday MUSIC TIME For under 5s. The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury, 10.30am-11.30am, 01743 234970. Friday FAMILY MUSIC MAKERS Fun sessions for parents and toddlers 12.30-2pm, £4 per adult and child pair, under 1s free. The Courtyard, Hereford, 01432 340555.

Conquest Theatre Bromyard APRIL MUSIC

Sat 6 BLACK HEART ANGELS Sat 13 SKEWWHIFF

Thurs 18 BLUES NIGHT

Fri 19 Open Mic, hosted by TROY REDFERN

Live on Stage Thurs 4 April, 7.30pm THE DEVIL’S VIOLIN ‘STOLEN’ Supported by Arts Alive Fri 12 April, 7.30pm FOLK IN THE FOYER VICKI SWAN & JONNY DYER Sat 27 April, 7.30pm ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN ‘ROMANTIC PERFECTION’ Supported by Arts Alive

Films

3 April, 7.30pm - HEREFORDSHIRE LIFE THROUGH A LENS 5 April, 7.30pm - BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY 19 April, 7.30pm - THE CHILDREN ACT

Sat 20 MEAN BUSINESS Sat 27 LOS SQUID

Third Thurs ALTERNATE JAZZ/BLUES

Reet Petite, 18 West Street, Leominster

07484 545368

Screenings

9 April, 7pm YULI (The life of Carlos Acosta) 11 April, 7pm ALL ABOUT EVE National Theatre 16 April, 7pm REMBRANDT Exhibition on Screen 17 April, 7pm AS YOU LIKE IT Royal Shakespeare Company

Box office 01885 488575 www.conquest-theatre.co.uk

Sessions First Saturday OPEN MIC Greyhound Inn, Llangunllo, 9pm, 01547 550400. First Saturday FOLK & IRISH SESSION Harp Inn, Glasbury-on-Wye, 8.30pm, free, 01497 847373. First Saturday of month PICKIN’ AT THE BIRD The Bird in Hand, Coton Hill, Shrewsbury, 01743 357484, 9pm. 3rd Saturday OPEN MUSIC SESSION Harp Inn, Glasbury-on-Wye, 8.30pm, free, 01497 847373. Every Sunday FOLK SESSION The Old Mill, Llanidloes, 8pm, 01686 412008, all welcome. Every Sunday OPEN MIC Stag, Llanidloes, 6.30pm, 01686 414824. 1st Sunday OPEN MIC Hosted by Good Times Entertainment (Rich and Helli). All performances welcome and free entry. No. 46, High St, Presteigne, 7-9.30pm, 07917 646113, 2nd Sunday ACOUSTIC MUSIC SESSION Jill and Mark (from the Rhythm Thieves) hosting. All styles welcome. The Sun Inn, Leintwardine, 8pm. 2nd and 4th Sunday FOLK SESSION Arvon Ale House, Temple St, Llandrindod Wells, 4pm, 07477 627267. 3rd Sunday ACOUSTIC SESSION Arvon Ale House, Temple St, Llandrindod Wells, 4pm, 07477 627267. 3rd Sunday ACOUSTIC SESSION (Turns based). Hosted by Mark Richards. the Oak, Wigmore, 7pm. 3rd Sunday FOLK SESSION The Monkland Arms, 7.30pm, 01568 720510. Last Sunday SUNDAY SOUL SESSION The Corners Inn, Kingsland, 8.30pm, free, 01568 708385. Every Monday ACOUSTIC NIGHT The Golden Lion Hotel, Llandysilio, near Welshpool, 01691 830295. Every Monday OPEN MIC NIGHT Bull Inn, Shrewsbury, 01743 344728. First Monday BRIMFIELD FOLK CLUB 01584 711480 and the website at www.roger435.wixsite.com/brimfieldfolkclub First Monday AMERICANA SESSION The Grape Vaults, Leominster, 01568 611404. Every Tuesday OPEN MIC King Charles II, Broad St, Ross-on-Wye, 8pm, 01989 219357. Every Tuesday OPEN MIC The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 01497 821762.

Every Tuesday OPEN MIC Run by Moz, PA provided, all welcome. Castle Vaults, Shrewsbury. Every Tuesday OPEN MIC NIGHT The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 8pm, free, 01497 821762. Every Tuesday TUESDAY JAM SESSION The Falcon Hotel, Bromyard, 8-11pm, 01885 483034. 3rd Tuesday FOLK NIGHTS The Crown Inn, Longtown, 8pm. e-Newsletter john.baxter87@btinternet.com Last Tuesday HOMEND POETS & MUSICIANS Ledbury, www.folklife.org.uk/homend-poets.html 01684 563281. Every Wednesday ACOUSTIC NIGHT Baskerville Hall Hotel, near Hay-on-Wye, 8.30pm, 01497 820033. Every Wednesday JAZZ EVENING Incorporating all styles of jazz. Horse & Jockey, Churchstoke, 8pm, all welcome, free, 01588 620060. Every Wednesday ACOUSTIC SESSION Prince of Wales, Ledbury, 8.45pm, 01531 632250. Alternate Wednesdays FOLK SESSION Crown Inn, Colwall, 01684 541074. 1st Wednesday HEREFORD BLUEGRASS SESSION The Victory, 88 St Owen St, Hereford, 8pm. 2nd Wednesday OPEN MIC White Horse Inn, Clun, 8.30pm onwards. 01588 640305. 2nd & 4th Wednesday TELFORD ACOUSTIC CLUB The Crown Inn, Oakengates, Telford, 9pm, 01952 610888. 3rd Wednesday JAZZ AND TAPAS With Mark Latimer. Reet Petite, 18 West St, Leominster, 07484 545368. Fourth Wednesday AMERICAN COUNTRY MUSIC NIGHT King’s Head, Tenbury Wells. Every Thursday OPEN MUSIC SESSION Nat and Delia present Duke Joint Jam. Oxford Arms, Kington, 6.30pm, all welcome, 01544 230322. Third Thursday ALTERNATE JAZZ/BLUES Reet Petite, West St, Leominster, 07484 545368. Every Thursday SESSION Black Swan, Much Dewchurch, 01981 540295. First Thursday OPEN MIC King’s Head, Tenbury Wells. First Thursday BLACK HILL TUNE CLUB Longtown, 1.30pm, 01432 263495. 1st Thursday OPEN MUSIC SESSION All styles welcome. The Fforest Inn, Llanfihangel Nant Melan, New Radnor, 8pm, 01544 350526.

Trevor Davies Music

For all your musical needs 87 Etnam Street, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8AE tel: 01568 613611

We stock Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, ESP, Fernandez, Epiphone, Indie, Aria, Ovation, Adamas, Martin, Taylor, Yamaha, Crafter, Burns, Washburn, Jackson, AER, Marshall, Hartke, Carlsbro, Laney, Zoom, Digitech, Tama, Casio. Plus many other brands.

Approximately 500 guitars in stock and Brass, Woodwind, Drums, Keyboards, accessories and thousands of music books and sheet music.

1st Thursday FOLK Farmer’s Arms, Wellington Heath, 8pm, 01531 660253. 2nd Thursday OPEN MIC Hosted by Stevie Yeomans. Castle Inn, Knucklas, near Knighton, 8pm, 01547 528150. 2nd Thursday OPEN MIC Talbot, West St, Leominster. 2nd Thursday OPEN FOLK SESSION Horse & Jockey, Churchstoke, 8.30pm, all welcome, free, 01588 620060. 3rd Thursday FOLK SESSION King’s Head, Tenbury Wells. 3rd Thursday FOLK DOWN THE TRACK Castle Inn, Knucklas, 7pm, 01547 528223 or 01547 528150. 1st Friday ACOUSTIC SESSION The Blue Boar, Mill St, Ludlow, 8:30pm. Contact: Ann Gray 01584 879 348. 4th Thursday OPEN MIC Crown Inn, Oakengates, Telford, 01952 610888, crownopenmic@gmail.com 2nd Friday OPEN MIC Reet Petite, 18 West St, Leominster, 07484 545368. 3rd Friday OPEN MIC NIGHT The Herb Garden Community Cafe, Llandrindod Wells, 7.30pm, 01597 823082. 3rd Friday ENGLISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC NIGHT Open session, all musicians welcome. The Butchers Arms, Woolhope, 8pm, 01432 860281. Last Friday TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION The Old Coppers Malthouse, All Stretton, 8.30pm, all welcome. Contact Keith 07971 661615. Last Friday OPEN MIC NIGHT With Mark from the Rhythm Thieves. Sun Inn, Leintwardine, 8.30pm, 01568 770134.

FELIX PROJECT

Rachel Edwards from Presteigne is running the London Marathon to fundraise for The Felix Project, a small UK charity having a big impact: just 19 paid staff and over 200 volunteers work to address food poverty and food waste by collecting surplus food and distributing to schools, community halls, day centres, homeless shelters, women’s refuges and food banks to provide cheap, hot, nutritional meals for those most in need. Food is not only essential to thrive and live a healthy life but also enables us to share, connect and bond with others. This is why Rachel has chosen to run for this cause. If you or your business would like to sponsor Rachel and support The Felix Project’s work please donate to (virgin giving page) E: racheledwards88@gmail.com

band directory ACOUSTIC DUO, ‘SMITH JOHNSON’, have recently reformed and offer a repertoire of original material, along with some interesting covers of the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Family. Smith & Johnson are - Dave Haigney-Smith (Sultana Brothers), vocals and harmonica. Martin Johnson (previously, The Blues Occasionals), guitar and harmonies. Original, live and local! Contact Martin - 01686 411089 / 07400 190040. Dave - 01686 688408 / 07957 520235. Available for house parties. ADD A BAND - Real instrument backing to your own music. Perfect for singer songwriters etc. Studio near Newtown. Www.addaband.co.uk, 07515 401635. APPLEBY STONE Live acoustic duo/trio, guitar, flute, saxophones, voices, double bass, jazz, folk, R&B, pop, many originals, perfect for private and public events. applebystone.com 07979 542 449. BANDAMANIA Community band playing wild and wonderful traditional music. Perfect for ceilidhs, parties and all sorts of local events. Sue Harris 01547 550158 sumarieharris@btinternet.com THE BUTCHER’S DOGS - Two crazy, high octane Irish Bluegrass Country Americana Rockabilly loving dudes with a lust for life have guitars, banjos and mandolins to bring a borderland Ho-Down to a place of your choice. Will travel, have played in London, Liverpool, Bristol and Cardiff. Contact Toby 07870 781853, John 01544 230699, email john.wood795@btinternet.com CATCH22 is a lively and energetic party band playing a wide range of well known hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s in their own inimitable retro-rock style. For bookings call Mel on 07903 104877 or email meltons5@hotmail.com Join us on facebook.com/Catch22.Wales CHRISIE J LOCAL VOCALIST! I sing Jazz. Soul, Musical Theatre, Pop and Rock. For more information or to make a booking email chrisiej20@gmail.com or phone 07968 893719. Have a look at my social media for performance videos and more information. Also looking for a band so get in touch if interested. DISKAN Breton-Irish-Balkan music, well established band with wide touring and festival experience, available for gigs, private events, ceilidhs, art’s centre performances. Various formats available (from two to four musicians: flute, fiddle, guitar, bouzouki, double bass, vocals). Follow us on Facebook. Tel: 07588 858010. Email: imiletitch@aol.co.uk ENGLISH DULCIMER DUO Sue and Lisa both play Hammer Dulcimers, conjuring up evocative music with their interpretations of traditional tunes and jaunty eighteenth century melodies. The effect of their combined sounds is spellbinding and suitable for a wide variety of happenings. Contact info@englishdulcimer.co.uk

THE FORDSONS. The Fordson family present a programme of old-timey, mountain and early bluegrass music - the content is morally good. String band music from the early 20th century - breakdowns, fiddle and banjo tunes and cautionary songs of love and loss. Contact Pa Fordson on 01981 241436 or email thefordsons@gmail.com

HOT CLIMATE Ultimate party band, best 6-piece line up ever. For top musical entertainment at your party/ wedding/festival or corporate function. Book now! New footage on www.hotclimate.co.uk. Contact Charlie 01568 613895 or mobile 07702 528088 anytime! THE LUDLOW JAZZ COLLECTIVE Local Quartet/Quintet with singer if required, playing smooth sounds of well-known standards, Latin and blues. Available for all types of events and celebrations. Contact Paul Brooks 07980 822014. Email pppbrooks@gmail.com LITTLE RUMBA This is a band that will entertain and delight any audience that has its wits about it and has an ear for beautiful melodies infectious beats and songs that tell stories. From Winchcombe Live “Absolutely fantastic evening from you guys tonight. We had so many positive comments from the audience; very gratifying! Great musical talent, great humour, variety, and warmth of performance.” Contact Jacqui Savage 07966 943314 Email – jaxbass.xs@btinternet.com http://www.littlerumba.com MAMMAFUNK are a 6-piece funk and soul band available for parties, weddings, corporate and charity events. Covering classic and modern hits we are also available to offer a bespoke set list for any specific song requests you may have. www.mammafunk.com Call 078144 86028 / 079693 27030. MELOMANICS Principally a wacky Duo with an amazingly dynamic sound, playing their eclectic and cosmopoloitan repertoire with engaging humour and infectious energy (sustainable). Far more than just great music. And stilts if appropriate. Find out just how much fun a ceilidh really can be. Either with the minimal, but inspirational option of Tim calling and playing, or if really necessary, with a separate caller. Ideal for parties, weddings, fund-raising events, festivals, shows, pubs, restaurants, etc. Scottish, Irish and French-themed specialities (Timoléon pour vos soirées francaises). For info call Tim on 01743 719438, or Rich 01743 718612. Email tim@melomanics.co.uk. Website www.melomanics.co.uk THE RAGTIME JUG ORCHESTRA A roots string-band (duo) recreating the sounds of the early 20th century America, playing a good-time mix of blues, skiffle and Americana music. We like to get audiences involved! Available for festival, events, parties, folk clubs, pubs and bars; performance presentations and workshops for all occasions too. Web: www.ragtimejug.co.uk Contact: John; 01594 861151. Email: info@ragtimejug.co.uk Facebook. com: ragtime jug orchestra. RHYTHM THIEVES Funky, folky and fun. Firm favourites at festivals, pubs, parties and events around the Midlands and beyond, Rhythm Thieves are a lively must-see band who deliver an unforgettable and highly entertaining night out. “Full of fire and enthusiasm” Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2 “Great, super, lovely - our resident band” Genevieve Tudor. BBC Radio Midlands Folk Show. “If they don’t make you smile, you’re probably dead.” Wheaton Aston Folk Festival Tel: 01568 770 134, e-mail rhythmthieves@hotmail.com

SAMBUCA Ludlow based acoustic trio, playing a nice mix of jazz standards, classic blues, sambas etc. For more information call Richard 07974 399524. SEAN SAYE Singer/guitarist, professional, self contained, large repertoire. Music mostly, but not exclusively, from the 60’s and 70’s. Great sound. Contact tel: 07734 399497 or email seansaye@yahoo.co.uk. FInd me on YouTube: Sean Saye. www.seansaye.co.uk SILVER BRANCH (Ceilidh and Concert Band). CEILIDH BAND with caller. Available for weddings/birthday parties/fund raisers, etc. For photos/videos please see our Facebook page. For further enquiries, ring David on 01981 540832 or Anna on 07980 961187. SILVER BRANCH (UN-CALLED FOR) - Five piece cutting edge instrumental Folk Band. Available for concerts/gigs. Tel nos. as above. SINGLED OUT Experienced, 3-piece band covering the best pop and rock music from the 50’s to the current era. We focus on great tunes that don’t usually get played by other bands, but which everyone will know. Of course, we do some of the more usual songs as well! www.singledoutband.com email: info@singledoutband. com Phone 07518 291 676. SIR DANCELOT 4/5 piece ceilidh/twmpath band. Far and away the best exponents of traditional dance music of the British Isles and beyond for miles around and leagues beneath. Concertina, mandolin, fiddles, whistles, cittern, jews harp... Available for weddings, parties and public events. For information and bookings, contact: Cornelius 01686 411147 corns@mousemusic.co.uk or Peter 07561 820509. www.sirdancelot.co.uk SLIPPERY SLOPE Silly, melancholy and beautiful music played on accordion, fiddle, guitar and steel pan. From ska to klezmer via a Parisian cafe and a Russian vodka bar. For more info please call Jo or Ben on 01981 510136 see www.slipperyslope.org.uk or email slipperyslope@hotmail.com STONED CHERRIES Are: Dave Evans, guitar, mandolin, vocals; Roger Pugh, guitar, mandola, vocals; Aly May, whistles, vocals and Matt Donaldson, bass, percussion and vocals. A dynamic folk / rock fusion of original, traditional and modern songs and tunes. Roger 01885 483425 / 07779 694615 / pugh@live.co.uk or Dave 01886 822132 / 07817 220016 / dgand2@btinternet. com www.dgand2.wix.com/thestonedcherries STEADY EDD & THE BOOGIEMEN Boogie Woogie and its best, jazz and soul - let the good times roll! Contact Edd, on 01432 769077, www.steadyedd.co.uk THE SULTANA BROTHERS Fine R&B from one of the best bands around! The ultimate hip swingin’, foot tappin’ party band - guaranteed to help you dance the night away. For bookings/enquiries contact Phil 07791 129391 or Adam 07855 037092. Website www.thesultanabrothers. vpweb.co.uk or find us on Facebook.com/thesultanabros

THE VILLAGE QUIRE spine-tingling harmonies sung with all the emotional clout, subtlety of expression and love of life that you get when voices are raised together in song. Sensational vocals mingled with enthralling stories. Various shows to book, including ‘Songs for Silas’ melting harmonies and tall tales inspired by H. E. Bates’ evergreen My Uncle Silas. “... Absolutely delighted that you have chosen to weave your magical sound around that old rogue, Silas.” Victoria Wicks (Skins, Shadowlands and H. E. Bates’ grand-daughter). For bookings / further info ring 01497 847676 www.villagequire.org.uk / www.songsforsilas.org.uk VINTAGE JAZZ REVIVAL Ludlow-based, 6-piece, New Orleans/Trad band. Comprising trumpet, sax, trombone, banjo, tuba and washboard, playing and singing popular foot-tapping songs mostly from the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. Available for all functions. See us every Tuesday at the Rose and Crown in Ludlow. Tel: Rob 01584 318088, email: vintagejazzrevival@gmail.com website: www.vintagejazzreival.co.uk WHISKEY RIVER is a 5/6 piece electric Americana band that play swamp blues, Cajun, Zydeco and good country music to set the dance floor rocking. To suit smaller venues and smaller budgets, pruned down acoustic versions of the band are available as “The Whiskey River Quartet”, “The Whiskey River Trio” or as a Duo [“The Whiskey River Boys”]. Laissez les bon temps rouler!! Contact Martin, phone: 07846 669890, 01432 342018, email: martin@ whiskeyriver.co.uk. website: www.whiskeyriver.co.uk TRIO TANGENTE Violin and vocal led spicy fun energetic Latin/Tango/Hot Club/ Gypsy influenced band. For all occasions. Contact Faith 07870 320022. XL’S Maximum R ‘n’ B, Feelgood Rock & Roll. 01588 650686.

BROAD sheep

RED ETHEL A contemporary, classy, affordable jazz/folk fusion trio, consisting of her and two hims, bringing you gorgeous lead vocals, luscious harmonies, guitars, percussion and double bass. Totally unique, beautiful, original material, guaranteed to leave you feeling good all over. Details and CD’s www.redethel.co.uk

Band Directory ONLY £40 FOR THE WHOLE YEAR Just post the details of your band (around 40 words) with a cheque for £40 payable to Broad Sheep and post to: The Lodge, Westhide, Hereford, HR1 3RQ You can amend the wording anytime during the year, just call Clare on 01432 850444 or email: info@broadsheep.com DON’T FORGET... if you have any gigs in the area, email/phone by the 15th of the preceding month for FREE LISTINGS.

theatre PERFORMANCE

Woke

Wed 3 April THE TIME MACHINE DYAD PRODUCTIONS. A philosophical journey, a nightmare adventure, a cautionary tale... Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £14/£12, students £7, 01873 850805. Thurs 4 April LOVELY GIRLS THE HICCUP PROJECT. Lovely Girls meanders through real women’s stories using a blend of dance, theatre and comedy. For ages 12+. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.45pm, £13, 01432 340555. Thurs 4 & Fri 5 April STOLEN THE DEVIL’S VIOLIN COMPANY. Storyteller Daniel Morden weaves traditional stories into an epic narrative with hypnotic string accompaniement. For ages 10+. 4 April - Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7.30pm, £10, 01885 488575. 5 April - Bitterley VH, 7.30pm, £10, 01584 890881. Arts Alive. Sat 6 April THE ODYSSEY THE PANTALOONS present their new verse adaptation of an epic journey-stranded war hero ‘Odyssey’’s struggle to get home to his wife. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 7.30pm, £13, students £9, 07967 517125. Mon 8 April WOKE PLAY THE SPOTLIGHT THEATRE. A new story about the 20th century African American experience. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.45pm, £14/£12, 01432 340555.

Tues 30 April & Fri 3 May THE STICK MAKER TALES Shepherd Geth Roberts (Llion Williams) might be getting on in years, but he still lives alone, high in the Elan Valley. But now Geth faces his greatest challenge: his sight is failing and if he can’t see, then he can’t work the farm. 30 April - Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, 01873 850805. 3 May - Theatr Hafren, Newtown, 7.45pm, £12/£10, 01686 614555. Fri 3 May THE SPIRIT SISTERS An evening of mediumship. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, £15, 01600 772467.

MUSICAL THEATRE & OPERA

Wed 10 & Thurs 11 April PRIDE & PREJUDICE SHREWSBURY YOUTH THEATRE. Comic characters, a handsome villain, near disaster and true love overcoming all. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £15, under 18s £8, 01743 281281.

Tues 2 - Thurs 4 April CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL EDITION SHREWSBURY HIGH SCHOOL. A darkly satirical razzle-dazzle musical set to the backdrop of prohibition-era in Chicago. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £15/£10, 01743 281281.

Fri 12 April JOHN PEEL’S SHED & CIRCLED IN THE RADIO TIMES Theatre maker, poet and Radio 4 regular John Osborne brings you a storytelling double-bill including his cult Edinburgh sell out, John Peel’s Shed. It’s an ode to radio, music and a box of records. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £13.50, 01743 281281.

Wed 3 - Sat 6 April GUYS AND DOLLS MONMOUTH MUSICAL THEATRE. Set in New York it features showgirls, gamblers, do-gooders and down-andouts. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, £15, under 16s £8, 01600 772467.

Fri 12 April THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR SHIFTING SANDS THEATRE. The Mayor of the small town in a cold sweat. News has reached him of an imminent investigation by a high-ranking official who is travelling incognito - The Government Inspector! The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, £14/£12, 01432 340555.

Thurs 18 April AN EVENING OF ERIC AND ERN With Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel. A homage crammed full of those famous comedy sketches. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £23.50, 01743 281281.

Sat 13 April IN LOYAL COMPANY The true story of missing WWII soldier Arthur Robinson, written and performed by his great nephew, David William Bryan. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 8pm, £14, students £10, 07967 517125.

Thurs 4 - Sat 6 April THE SOUND OF MUSIC NEWTOWN MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY brings a timeless classic. Based on a true story, this musical has enchanted generations with its uplifting message of family, love and courage. The Hafren, Newtown, 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £15/£12/50, 01686 614555. Tues 9 April COSI FAN TUTTE SWANSEA CITY OPERA. Supposedly based on a true story, this comic tale of deception, doubt and the twists and turns of love, sees how a cynical old man leads two naive officers into a scandalous wager. Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £22/£19, 01873 850805.

Mon 15 - Wed 17 April THE WIZARD OF OZ GET YOUR WIGLE ON. Young performers take audiences on a magical journey. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 6pm, Tues 12pm, 3pm & 6pm, Wed 12pm & 3pm, £12.50/£10, 01743 281281.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Fri 19 & Sat 20 April LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL GET YOUR WIGLE ON. Local performers take on this high energy musical comedy. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £15/£13.50, 01743 281281. Tues 23 & Wed 24 April MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL This hysterical all-singing, all-dancing comedy is set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common meet by chance and make fun of their woeful lives experiencing ‘The Change’. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £31.50-£29, 01743 281281. Wed 24 - Sat 27 April THE WIZARD OF OZ COURTYARD JUNIOR YOUTH THEATRE. One stormy day a young farm girl decides to run away from home, but she is swept away by a tornado and finds herself in the magical land of Oz. The Courtyard, Hereford, 2.30 & 7pm, £12.50/£11.50, 01432 340555. 16 April - Snippets of the show at The Old Market, Hereford with children’s activities. 17 April - Maylord Shopping Centre, 10am-5pm. 18 April - Queenswood Country Park, Green Cast 10.30am & 11.30am; Yellow Cast 3.30pm & 4.30pm. Sat 27 April DIDO & AENEAS MID WALES OPERA. Henry Purcell. St Andrew’s Church, Presteigne, 3pm £7, 8pm, £12, under 18s free. Tickets from The Workhouse, Presteigne or www.wegottickets.com Tues 30 April - Sat 4 May THE KING & I HEREFORD MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY will be bringing a fresh, dynamic, energetic and slick take on this classic. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 2.30pm, £22-£20/£20-£18, 01432 340555. Thurs 2 - Sat 4 May CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG MAD COW PRODUCTIONS. A high-flying, fun-filled adventure for the entire family. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs-Sat 7.30pm, Fri & Sat matinee 2.30pm, £23.50-£15.50, schools £16, 01743 281281. Wed 8 - Fri 10 May ATLANTIC LADIES LOVE LEE PRODUCTIONS. The true story of three women in a boat who bravely became the oldest female team to row across the ocean. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £15, 01743 281281.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Sat 6 April JACK & THE BEANSTALK LYNGO THEATRE. Expect lots of surprises and beautiful images as Patrick Lynch (from Ceebies) tells the gripping story of Jack. For over 3’s and their giants. The Courtyard, Hereford, 11am, £7.50, 01432 340555.

Wed 10 - Sun 14 April HORRIBLE HISTORIES Two shows live on stage, featuring Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians. Terrible Tudors on Wed 7pm, Thurs 10.30am, Fri 1.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, Sun 3pm. Awful Egyptians on Thurs 1.30pm, Fri 10.30am, Sat 7pm, Sun 11am. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, £16.50, children £13.50, family £56, schools £11.50, 01743 281281. Fri 19 April EGG & SPOON LYNGO THEATRE. An interactive romp through the seasons where you come in and out of our magic circle and get to open all the gifts of nature. For ages 1-5 years. The Courtyard, Hereford, 11am, £7.50, 01432 340555. Fri 16 & Sat 27 April THE GIRL WITH INCREDIBLY LONG HAIR Join Rapunzel, her mam and her new friend Daf. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, Fri 6pm (English), Sat 11am (spoken in Welsh) and 2pm (English), £9.50/£8.50/£32, 01874 611622.

DRAMA WORKSHOPS Sat 13 April AN INTRODUCTION TO PUPPETRY Trash-Hack is a workshop in re-purposing industrial and domestic junk to create and animate puppet creations. Tutor is Chris Pirie. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, for ages 16-25 year olds, 2-6pm, £7.50, 01743 281281. Mon 22 - Sat 27 April DIDO & AENEAS Join Mid Wales Opera for an inspirational week of music making and rehearsals, culminating in two fully staged public performances of Purcell’s masterpiece at St Andrew’s Church Presteigne as well as an informal concert at The Judge’s Lodging, Presteigne. Open to all - amateur, student and professional musicians (string and voice) alongside each other over six days. Full details on website www.midwalesopera.co.uk Sun 26 & Mon 27 May TWO EVENINGS OF MUSIC AND DRAMA Open mic and more. In honour and memory of Mike James. If you would like to get involved on stage or on the night get in touch with Chrisie, 01568 612583 or chrisiej20@gmail.com

GOMADINLUDLOW Our inclusive Youth Theatre Group (ages 8-18) runs Drama Workshops 5-6:30pm Mondays in term-time* at “Oscar’s” in the Assembly Rooms. Enjoy Sessions from only £5 when booking a whole term. e-mail hello@gomadinludlow.org - or call 07484 289 215. *term-time = according to the Shropshire Local Authority Calendar. MID POWYS YOUTH THEATRE Tuesdays Junior Youth Theatre 9-13, 4.30pm-6pm. Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells Senior Youth Theatre 14+ 7pm-9.30pm. The Drama Centre, Llandrindod Wells. Contact Ralph Bolland on 07810 350994. COURTYARD THEATRE, HEREFORD Wed - Courtyard Kids, reception 4.15-5pm, Year 2, 5pm, £63.50 per term. Sat - Junior Youth Theatre. From Year 3 - Year 9, phone for times, £68.50 per term. Wed - Intermediate Youth Theatre. For years 10 & 11, 6pm, £70.50 per term. Fri Senior Youth Theatre, for ages 16+, 6.30pm, £73.50 per term. Thurs - Courtyard Musical Theatre, 7.15pm, £68 per term, contact Laura Gale 07725 357531. Mons - Drama Tots,10am – 10.45am, Ages 2-4, £4 per session, £1 per extra child. Mon - Bromyard Conquest Kids (Reception & Year 1), 3.45pm, £36 per term. Bromyard Juniors (Year 3-6) 4.50-5.30pm, £39 per term. Bromyard Intermediates (Year 7-9), 6pm, £43 per term. Bromyard Seniors (Year 10+), 7.30pm, £46 per term. Wed - Kington Juniors (Year 2-6) 4-4.45pm, £36 per term. Kington Intermediates (Year 7- 9), 5pm-6pm, £39 per term. Kington Seniors (Years 10+) 6pm – 7.30pm, £43 per termThe Courtyard, Hereford, 01432 340555. ASSEMBLY ROOMS, LUDLOW Mon - Go MAD in Ludlow, 5-6.30pm, Oscars. Contact Simon 07506 478235 & Suzanne 07484 289215 or email hello@gomadinludlow. org Sat - Ludwig Academy of Musical Theatre. 7-11 years 1-2pm, 12-16 years 2-3pm. Oscars. Contact Jack Ludwig, 077922 66225. Assembly Rooms, Ludlow.

THEATR IEUENTID / BRYCHEINIOG YOUTH THEATRE With weekly sessions tailored to suit the needs of each year group, from 4 years and up. Mondays 3.45pm 4.45pm Roundabout, Reception & Years 1 & 2. Wednesdays 5pm - 6pm Junior Youth, Years 3,4 & 5. Wednesdays 6pm - 7pm Junior Youth, Years 6,7 & 8. Thursdays 8.30pm - 10pm Senior Youth, Years 9, 10 & 11, 16 - 25. Call 01874 611622, www.brycheiniog.co.uk Mondays BROMYARD YOUTH THEATRE Led by Becky Cook. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard. Ages 4-6. Juniors ages 6-10. Intermediate ages 11-14. All £30 per term. Senior ages 14-18, £35 per term, 01432 340555. Tuesdays (during term time) PRESTEIGNE YOUTH THEATRE for ages 9 - 13 years 4.30pm - 6pm £4 per week. More info: info@midborderarts.com / 01544 267163. PYT is an inclusive provision and is open to any young person. Tuesdays YOUTH THEATRE for 7-14 year-olds after school. Ledbury Market Theatre, 01432 383663. Wednesdays KINGTON YOUTH THEATRE Kington Primary School. Wed - Junior 7-11 years, 4-5.30pm. Intermediate 11+ 5.30-7pm. £42 per term, 01432 340555. Thursdays and Saturdays SHROPSHIRE YOUTH THEATRE Providing training in a range of theatre skills for ages 5-25. All abilities welcome. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury. Contact Maggie Love: 07813 026367. Thursdays IMPULSIVE THEATRE COMPANY For ages 13-19. The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury, 5-6.45pm, 07916 277928. Alternate Fridays (term time) HAVE A GO SHAKESPEARE All welcome, £5. Wyeside, Builth Wells, details Sue Best, 01597 811487.

word Poetry & Storytelling Sun 7 April DR JOHN COOPER CLARKE: THE LUCKIEST GUY ALIVE

Wed 17 April COMEDY NIGHT The Barrels, St Owen St, Hereford, 01432 274968. Fri 19 April COMEDY NIGHT The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 8pm, £8, 01497 821762. Fri 26 April HEINEKEN COMEDY CLUB Featuring Julian Deane and Kai Sumra. The Courtyard, Hereford, 8.30pm, £12.50, 01432 340555.

Poet, movie star, rock star, TV and radio presenter, comedian and social commentator. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 8pm, £18, 01600 772467. Wed 24 April POETRY BREAKFAST Poems and a delicious breakfast at Aardvark Books, Brampton Bryan, Bucknell, 9.30am-10.30am, £8, details annadreda@icloud.com Fri 26 & Sat 27 April KALI Join storyteller Emily Hennessey and sitar player, Sheema Mukherjee for a white-knuckled tuc-tuc ride through sun-kissed palaces, fiend-infested forests and ever cacophonous, saffron-scented marketplace in between. For ages 14+. 26 April - Clungunford Parish Hall, 7.30pm, £10/£5/£25, 01588 660152. 27 April - Playhouse Cinema, Community Centre, Leominster, 7.30pm, £12/£8, 01568 616460. Arts Alive. Sat 27 April THE BIG BLIND Brought to Shropshire from Sweden. Masterful storytelling (Dominic Kelly) accompanied by two stunning musicians, accordion (Lief Ottoson) and violin (Bridget Marsden). Ryton Village Hall, 8pm, £12.50, £8 children includes pre-show drink, 01743 719217 or 01743 719438.

Comedy

Wed 3 - Fri 5 April JASPER CARROTT’S STAND UP & ROCK Alongside his musical compatriots, the Bev Bevan Band. A night of classic songs and Jasper back where he belongs... making us laugh. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, £30, 01432 340555. Fri 5 April HELEN WOOD - THE OS MAP FAN CLUB Join Ordnance Survey enthusiast as she grapples with a selection of rambling gadgets and shares out the Kendal Mint Cake. Habberley Village Hall, 7.30pm, £10/£5, 01743 790179. Arts Alive.

Tues 9 April COMEDY & CURRY Featuring Craig Deeley, Nik Hill, Thomas Rackham, Alex Hylton, Matt West and compere Harvey Hawkins. Crown Inn, Oakengates, Telford, 01952 610888.

Fri 26 April JESS ROBINSON - NO FILTER Hilarious improvised musical impressions, a feast of styles and genres from classical to rock, showcasing all your favourite celebrities. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £13.50, 01743 281281. Thurs 2 May SEANN WALSH: AFTER THIS ONE, I’M GOING HOME For ages 14+. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 8pm, £15, 01600 772467. Thurs 9 May RICH HALL’S HOEDOWN For ages 14+. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 8pm, £17, 01600 772467.

Talks April & May BRECKNOCK ARTS SOCIETY 9 April - Daniel Evans, ‘Leonardo, Anatomical Mindfulness’. 14 May - Nicola Moorby, ‘The Great British Paint Off, Constable v Turner’. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 2.30pm, 01874 611622. April HAY CAMERA CLUB 2 April - AGM. 9 April - Club Competition, ‘People at Work’. 16 April - ‘Monochrome Prints’, a presentation by David Lingham. 23 April - ‘Success or Failure’, a presentation on the ups and downs of gaining a photography qualification by Gary Shinner. 30 April ‘People and Places’, a presentation by Colin Trow-Poole. All meetings at Masonic Hall, Hay-on-Wye, 7.30pm, £5, www.haycameraclub.co.uk April & May HEREFORD ARTS APPRECIATION SOCIETY 12 April - ‘Painters Working during two World Wars’, a talk by Professor Allen Fisher, 7.30pm. 10 May - Outing to Ironbridge. The Kindle Centre, by ASDA, Hereford, 01432 890469. April & May SOUTH WEST SHROPSHIRE GARDENING CLUB 24 April - ‘Garden Design’, a talk by Christine Scott. 22 May - ‘Kitchen Garden Herbs’, a talk by Rob & Kim Hurst. Lydbury North VH, 7.30pm, £5, www.gardeningshropshire.co.uk

April ROSSITER BOOKS AUTHOR EVENTS 11 April - Andrew Taylor, ‘The King’s Evil’, Rossiter Books, Ross-on-Wye. 16 April - Vee Walker, ‘Major Tom’s War’, Rossiter Books, Ross-on-Wye. 17 April - Christopher Somerville, ‘Ships of Heaven’, Hereford Cathedral. 25 April - Dinah Jeffries, ‘The Missing Sister’, Rossiter Books, Ross-on-Wye. 30 April - Marc Hamer, ‘How to Catch a Mole and Find Yourself in Nature’, Rossiter Books, Ross-on-Wye. 7 May - Elizabeth Macneal, ‘The Doll Factory’, Rossiter Books, Ross-on-Wye. 31 May - Alison Weir, ‘Anna of Kleve’, Grange Court, Leominster, 01568 611766. 1 June - Alison Weir, ‘Anna of Kleve’, Penyard House, Ross-on-Wye. All at 7pm, 01989 564464. April LUDLOW ART SOCIETY 4 April - ‘Observing Wildlife, Using Media to Depict Nature’, wildlife artist, Susan McLeod. Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, 7.30pm, £6 on the door, non-members welcome, 01584 873182. April LINGEN GARDENING CLUB 2 April - ‘Murder, Magic and Potions’, a talk by Marion Stainton. Lingen Village Hall, 7.30pm, £15 annual membership, £4 non-members, 01544 267463. Wed 3 April LINTON & DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY ‘Eastnor Castle’, a talk by Patricia Wilkin. Linton Village Hall, 7.30pm start, £2 members, £3 visitors, students free, 01989 780634.

New Trustees: Bleddfa Trust We are looking for two dynamic new Trustees to support the next stage of our development. We want to activate a Friends Scheme and a Fundraising initiative to take our Programme to the next level. The successful candidates would be expected to attend four Board meetings a year plus occasional informal meetings. The role is voluntary; expenses can be paid if requested. The Bleddfa Trust was established forty years ago and is based in the beautiful heart of mid-Wales. Our mission is to enrich the creative spirit and promote well-being through the Arts, storytelling, music, painting, meditation plus a varied programme of exhibitions, workshops, talks and retreats. This is an exceptional opportunity to help shape the identity of a very special place. Please email your covering letter and CV to: Tony Morris, Chair, Bleddfa Trust: tonymorristonymorris@icloud.com

www.bleddfacentre.org Closing date: 3rd May 2019

Saturday 18th May 2019, 10.00am to 16.45 pm, Leominster Priory The Mortimers to 1330: from Wigmore to Ruler of England Mortimer History Society Spring Conference on the medieval Mortimers from their origins in Normandy to control of England. Tickets: £22.50 (members of MHS £17.50); lunch (optional) £12.00

Saturday 29th June 2019, 10.00am to 16.45 pm, St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow The Mortimer Inheritance: The Key to the Yorkist Crown

Mortimer History Society and Richard III Society Joint Conference on how the Mortimer inheritance enabled the House of York to gain the crown. Followed by optional tour of Ludlow castle. Tickets: £25.00 (members of MHS or RIIIS £20.00); lunch (optional) £12.00; castle tour (optional) £5.40/£4.50

for more information on both conferences and to book a place go to www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk Or email secretary@mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk Or phone 01584 831654

Sat 13 April HARDY PLANT SOCIETY, HEREFORDSHIRE & MID WALES ‘Clematis - Montanas and Beyond’, a talk by Helen Picton. Pembridge Village Hall, 2pm, £4, 01544 262795.

An evening with Aggers Thurs 4 April THE MORTIMERS AND CWMHIR The 200 year struggle to control Maelienydd. A talk by Philip Hume, author and secretary of the Mortimer Society. Philips Hall, Abbeycwmhir, LD1 6PH, 7.30pm, collection, 01597 851021. Abbeycwmhir Heritage Trust. Thurs 4 April & Thurs 2 May LUDLOW ART SOCIETY 4 April - “Observing wildlife - Using media to depict nature” by wildlife artist Susan McLeod. 2 May “Figurative ceramic sculpture” by artist, sculptor and educator Sharon Griffin. All talks at The Studio, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, 7.30pm start. All welcome, non-members £6 on the door. Enquiries 01584 873182. Sun 7 April AN EVENING WITH AGGERS A trip down memory lane, recounting tales from a wonderful and entertaining career on the cricket field and in the box, with film footage, audio clips and photographs on the big screen. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £24, 01743 281281. Tues 9 April & Tues 14 May THE ARTS SOCIETY HEREFORD (TASH) 9 April - ‘Herefordshire Churches and Their Treasures: Past, Present and into the Future’. A lecture by Tim Bridges. 14 May - ‘The Lacoon Statue’. An illustrated lecture by Isabelle Image. St John’s Methodist Church Hall, St Owen St, Hereford, 2.15pm, £9 guests, new members welcome, refreshments available. www.theartssocietyhereford.org.uk, 01568 797703. Wed 10 April FRIENDS OF BRECON & DISTRICT MIND ‘Strong Young Minds’, a talk by Kaye Berry, chief executive of the CLD Trust. The Muse, Glamorgan St, Brecon, 7pm, £5, £2 members, 01874 611529. Wed 10 April INSIGHTS INTO OPERA Dennis Schiavon introduces some of his opera’s heroes, villains, lovers and legends with video and audio. Italian-themed dinner. Broxwood Court, advance tickets only, contact Helen Cotterell 07775 751122. In aid of The Music Pool. Wed 10 April BROMYARD & DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY ‘The Luna Society of Birmingham’, a talk by Dr Sally Dickson. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7.30pm, members free, guests £4.

Fri 12 April FOWNHOPE LOCAL HISTORY GROUP ‘Medieval Graffito’, an illustrated talk by Rev Will Pridie on signs and messages carved in church stonework. Fownhope New Memorial Hall, 7.30pm, £3, 01432 860319.

Tues 16 April CONVERSATIONS AT THE CHAPEL - ANNA PAVORD In conversation with film-maker Alastair Laurence, celebrating the arrival of spring in the company of gardening writer, Anna Pavord. Upstairs at the Chapel, The Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £10, 01873 852690. Tues 16 & Sat 27 April GARWAY HERITAGE GROUP 16 April - ‘History of Herefordshire Field Names’, a talk by Dr Ruth Richardson. Followed by a short AGM. 7.30pm, £5 visitors includes refreshments. 27 April Open Day. Map, documents and photographs of the area11am-4pm, free. Garway Community Centre, 01600 772656. Tues 16 April JACK THE RIPPER - THE REAL TRUTH Trevor Marriott is a retired British Police murder squad detective. His two hour, one man audio/visual show is packed with pictures from 1888. For ages 16+ or with a parent. Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £14/£12, 01873 850805. Wed 17 April LEOMINSTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY An animated talk on ‘Alfred the Great’ by Max Keen. Grange Court, Leominster, 7.30pm, members free, visitors welcome, £4 on the door. Thurs 18 April WIGMORE & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB A talk by Tim Gilbert of Court Farm, Tillington, an exceptional ‘pick your own’ venue. Wigmore Village Hall, 7.30pm, £2 mon-members, all welcome, 07813 733240. Thurs 25 April THE ARTS SOCIETY MID WALES & BORDERS ‘Welsh Art - Artists, Patrons and Influence’, with speaker, Sarah Gathercole. Royal Oak Hotel, Welshpool, 2.30pm, £6, 01938 555938 or 01938 555574. Fri 26 April YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS Brian Partridge shares his ten years of experience as an umpire and linesman at Wimbledon. Organised by Ledbury Tennis Club. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 7.30pm, £10, students £6 includes cheese and wine, 07967 517125.

Workshops & Courses Sat 6, Sun 7 April INDEPENDENCE WEEK CELEBRATIONS 6 April - Young Writers of Bookstagram, 10.30am. Bookstagrammer book quiz, 4pm. Bookstagrammy Awards, with three categories, ‘Books that have given meaning to life’; Books that give us hope or no hope for the future’; A plain shelfie’. 7 April - Bookstagram talks, 2-4pm. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 01497 821762. Mon 8 & Mon 22 April LUDLOW SPEAKERS Discover the speaking and leadership skills. Mascall Centre, Ludlow, Ludlowspeakers.org.uk

Sat 13 & Sun 14 April BOOK FAIR Books, DVDs and CDs to browse and find a bargain. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall, 10am-4pm, free, except £5 for early entry 9-10am on Sat, 01588 630023. Wed 24 April POETRY AT THE PALES Explore the challenging theme of death in poetry. Guided by Trish Munn & Linda Murray-Hale. Pales Quaker Meeting House, Llandegley, 10.30am-4pm, further details www.thepales.org.uk ITALIAN CONVERSATION group meets monthly in a local hostelry to chat in Italian over lunch. If you’re interested please telephone Hilary on 01588 638426. WEA HEREFORD BRANCH Workshops at HARC, Rotherwas, Hereford, 10am-12pm, - 12 April - The Spanish Flu; Story and Science. 15 April - The Coningsby’s of Hampton Court and their Atlas. 24 April - Reformation and Repression in Herefordshire. 8 May - The Story of Democracy in the UK. For HARC contact 01981 250819. 13 April - Handwriting 1550-1700 part 2, HARC, Rotherwas, 10am-4pm, £25, 01531 634460. Places limited, to book or details email herefordbranch@wea.org.uk 01432 880545. 1st Saturday READING GROUP Bleddfa Centre, near Knighton, afternoons, free, 01547 550377. Mondays WRITING ROOM The Courtyard, Hereford, 10.30am-12.30pm, £75 per term, 01432 340555. Mondays STORY CORNER AT THE COURTYARD For ages 4 years and under. The Courtyard, Hereford, 01432 340555.

Every Tues & Wed SPANISH LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS Tues - Level 1, 7pm, Wed - Level 2, 10am, with Mely. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, 07837 160505 or www.hayspanish.com Every Tues READING ROOM The Courtyard, Hereford, 10.30am-12.30pm, £55 per term, 01432 340555. Fourth Tuesday SCIENCE CAFÉ Informal group, talks and discussions on scientific topics. The Swan at Hay, 7pm, free, all welcome, sciencecafe@outlook.com First Wednesday of the month POETRY CAFE, Charlton Arms, Ludlow, 7.30pm, 01584 872813. 2nd Wed of each month WYESIDE WRITERS GROUP An informal writers’ group for wordsmiths. Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells, 7pm, £2.50, 01982 552555. Every other Thursday PHILOSOPHY CAFE Informal group which offers the chance to discuss philosophical issues. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, 01497 821762. philosphycafe@outlook.com Fridays READING ROOM EXTRA The Courtyard, Hereford, 6-8pm, £55 per term, 01432 340555. International Poetry Writers’ Collective: Abergavenny 01873 856350 Leominster Writers' Circle, Leominster Community Centre, Frank Pavitt, chairman LWC, 01568 614973, meet first Tuesday, monthly, 2pm. Presteigne Writers’ Circle, Assembly Rooms, 7.30pm. 01544 260255 Border Poets 01547 530380. Rhayader Writing Group CARAD, Rhayader, 01597 810561.

First Scents of Spring onspringtime a Western Wind...

First Scents of Spring metamorphosis on a Western Wind...

grass roots Could UK’s big green power push revive onshore wind?

AST month the government laid out a plan to increase power generation from wind energy massively over the next twelve years. By 2030, we were told, 30 per cent of all our electricity would come from wind. That would indeed be an enormous increase over the wind power the UK is harnessing right now. In 2017 just over 6% of our electricity came from wind. You can do the maths easily. Five sixes are thirty. To get to 30% we need to multiply our current amount of wind generation five-fold. Even given the dramatic advance of wind power in the last few years, it sounds like a gigantic task. But decision-making by the Conservatives has made that 30% target seem even bigger and more expensive because we are running the race with a serious handicap. Since the latter part of David Cameron’s government, ministers have set their face against the cheapest form of wind power – namely from land-based or “onshore” turbines. It was in December 2014 that Cameron told a commons committee that people were “frankly fed up with so many wind farms being built that won’t be necessary”. He said, “We will halt the spread of onshore wind farms.” At that point opposition to onshore wind became almost an article of faith for Tory energy ministers. It is not entirely clear which “fed up” people Cameron was talking about. It is possible that those he had in mind were about a hundred Tory MPs who had written to him demanding drastic cutbacks in government support for this form of renewable energy. That campaign was led by Chris Heaton-Harris, the MP for Daventry. Heaton-Harris came to notice in 2012 over his bizarre role in the Corby by-election. While managing the Tory campaign at Corby, Heaton-Harris was revealed to be privately encouraging the planned candidacy of a wellknown climate change denier and wind farm opponent, James Delingpole, who might, if he stood, take votes from the Tory candidate. In the end, Delingpole did not run, but the Tories lost the seat, suffering a hefty 12.8% swing to Labour. If, when Cameron said people were fed up with wind farms, he meant the general public, there was meagre evidence, even then, that most voters were against onshore wind farms. A survey by ComRes in 2016 found that 73% approved of onshore wind, while 17% were against.

By November last year only 6% opposed onshore wind, according to the business and energy department’s own Public Opinion Tracker. Taking account of public opinion does not mean that great beauty spots should be festooned with wind turbines. But there are surely some areas of open land left in the UK where wind turbines would not ruin the quality of life. The problem with David Cameron’s lurch to rule out onshore wind, with its huge potential for power generation, was that it meant future power schemes would deliver electricity that was far more expensive for consumers than it needed to be. One current projection is that new onshore wind farms could generate power at a price of £46 per megawatt hour. According to recent government estimates, offshore wind can manage, at best, about £106 per megawatt hour. So, power from turbines erected in the sea costs more than double what land-based turbines can deliver. The Cameron-inspired clampdown on onshore wind really began to hit the industry in 2018. Last year there was a slump in new schemes completed. In power terms, completions fell by 80%. And, even before 2018, green energy and countryside groups in Wales had complained of drastic cutbacks in the level of renewable energy development. They pointed out that onshore wind and solar power projects had been banned from competing for subsidies in the auctions which take place every few months. Of course, other countryside groups, like the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, are battling to stop wind farms being erected. But there are signs that some in the UK government now believe that something has to give. More than a year ago the energy minister, Claire Perry, seemed to pinpoint the missing piece in the future energy jigsaw. She said the government was “looking carefully” at new onshore wind projects. Last summer the chairman of the Committee on Climate Change, the former Tory environment secretary, Lord Deben, opined that, “There is no doubt that onshore wind is the cheapest form of electricity.” And, he went on, “If you don’t build onshore wind, the government has to say how much an extra cost this is to the public.” Julian O’Halloran

Green Events WYNNES OF DINMORE COUNTRYSTORE Poultry Keeping - Free 1/2 hour session. Covers laying hens, housing, feed, bedding, health & hygiene + Question & Answer time. Held at Wynnes of Dinmore Countrystore - off the A49 (through village centre). Open Tues - Sat 9am-4:30pm. For more information email info@wynnes.co.uk or telephone Roxy or Ann 01568 797314. Tues 2 April & Tues 7 May RAIL & BUS FOR HEREFORDSHIRE 2 April - ‘The Gloucester Bus Hub and Rail Station Improvements’ a talk by Philp Ardley. 7 May - ‘Aspirations for an Integrated Transport System in Hereford’, a talk by Professor John Whitelegg. Friends’ Meeting House, 21 King St, Hereford, 2.30pm, free, 01531 633594. Thurs 4 April GREENPEACE Informal meeting of local activists and supporters to discuss campaigns and environmental issues. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 01497 821762. Thurs 4 April ECO ENGINEERING Where science, engineering and sustainability meet. Explore hydrogen-fuelled cars in the morning and airand-ground source heat pump domestic heating in the afternoon. The Pales Quaker Meeting House, Llandegley, LD1 5UH. Details thepales.org.uk Sat 6 April & 18 May SHREWSBURY ABERYSTWYTH RAIL PASSENGERS’ ASSOCIATION Monitoring performance of the railway and campaign for improved services. 6 April - Royal Naval Club, Market St, Aberystwyth. 18 May - The Railway Hotel, Borth, 12.15pm, all welcome. Sat 6 April EXCITING SCIENCE Exciting and educational, this brand new science show will amaze and astound all ages from 4 year upwards with live experiments. Full of wiz, bang, pop and splurt! Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 2pm, £10.50, 01743 281281. Fri 12 - Sun 14 April SPRING WALKING WEEKEND Walks on each day. Part of Kington Walking Festival, www.kingtonwalks.org 07552 087786. Sun 14 April SPRING PLANT FAIR The Shropshire Group of the Hardy Plant Society. Nurseries attending are Cotswold Garden Flowers, Crossbank Farm Cottage Garden Plants, Diane Cole Hardy Plants, Drumhead Cottage Plants, Hall Farm Nursery and Mynd Hardy Plants. Bayston Hill Memorial Hall, 12-3pm, free admission www.hardy-plant.org.uk

Sat 20 April PLANT SALE Clun Methodist Church forecourt, 10am-12pm. Proceeds to League of Friends, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Medecins sans Frontieres. Sat 27 April CHAINSAW MAINTENANCE AND CROSS-CUTTING COURSE Includes sharpening, operator safety, risk assessment, cross cutting techniques. You will need your own chainsaw and safety clothing, all essential. Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, 9.30am-4pm, £75, booking essential, 01588 676060. Sat 27 April REPAIR CAFE, LUDLOW A team of volunteer ‘fixers’ will do their best to repair those broken or not working things for you and send it home working again! No charge, but donations are requested. Rockspring Community Centre, Ludlow, 10am-12.30pm, 01584 876854. April KNIGHTON TREE ALLOTMENTS TRUST Volunteer with us to learn about woodland management and associated skills such as coppicing, tree care and cutting firewood. Details email woodland@tveg.org.uk 01547 520374 http://tveg.org.uk/wordpress/what-we-do/ woodland-project April SHROPSHIRE HILLS DISCOVERY CENTRE First Sunday of every month - Become a Habitat Helper! For all ages and abilities. Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, 01588 676060. Wed 1 May SPRING GARDEN PLANT FAIR Broxwood Court, Pembridge, 10.30am-4pm, £5. All proceeds to The Cart Shed, www.thecartshed.co.uk Sat 4 & Sun 5 May SPRING GREENS FAIR Environmental fair. Stalls, exhibitions, activities, performance, demonstrations. Court of Noke, Pembridge, HR6 9HW, 10am-5pm, free entry, car park £5, 07777 661252, info@springgreens.org.uk Sat 11 May ROUND AND ABOUT WALKS Ramble 23 miles, Scramble 13 miles, Amble 10 miles to beat blood cancer. Bishop’s Castle, £20, closing date for applications 6 May, Bloodwise.org.uk/round-and-about Mondays & Wednesdays KNIGHTON MENS SHED Sharpening service available. Teme Mill, Station Yard, Knighton, 10am-2pm. John on 01544232750 or email jtknightonmensshed@gmail.com. First Sat of the month FARMERS MARKET Local produce, gifts and crafts. Eaton Bishop VH, 10am.

Matt Stainsby is a psychologist living in Presteigne and working in Herefordshire. In April he will be mountain biking the length of Wales (500km) raising money for the invaluable local mental health charity - The Cart Shed. To find out more about the ride or to support Matt, https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/mattstainsby

complementary therapies Disclaimer. We would like to emphasise that these listings relate to COMPLEMENTARY medicine practitioners. Broad Sheep does not endorse any of the practitioners or healing methods listed. We provide no recommendation and take no responsibility for their content. A is for ACUPUNCTURE & HOLISTIC THERAPIES Joanna Bruce RGN, B.Ac, MBAcC - clinics in Leominster and Kingsland. Treating pain and long term health conditions effectively since 1983. Tel: 01568 709142 or text 07984 460969 Free initial phone consultation jo.bruce@talk21.com ACUPUNCTURE. Sandy Sandaver Lic Ac MBAcC. I practice an integrated style of acupuncture using 5 element and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and am a member of the British Acupuncture Council. I also carry out home visits. Hay Acupuncture Clinic, Rose Cottage, Cusop Dingle, Hay-On-Wye 01497 821625/07980 596218 sandysandaver@onetel.com or www.hayacupunctureclinic.co.uk ACUPUNCTURE Vanessa Hamilton LicAc MBAcC I am an experienced acupuncturist with 31 years’ experience and have expert skills in listening and communication which are essential for correct treatment. A free 15min phone consultation is available to help you decide whether or not acupuncture is suitable for you . The Retreat, Studio 2a, Presteigne Industrial Estate, Presteigne, LD8 2UF, 07811120386, 01547 550387, for more info visit www.hereford-acupuncture-clinic.co.uk ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE in Hereford. Individual lessons and small groups with Ann Rowan MSTAT. BA. ARCM, 01432 279536. ALLERGY &/OR FOOD INTOLERANCES? Find out the complete picture by having a blood test to help you make the best choices for your health. Enquiries: 01568 709142. AMAZING HEALINGS Help is available for physical and mental challenges at the The Terrace Healing Centre, near Kington. Gentle, effective emotional guidance and bodywork can free your vitality! The therapist, James Gee, has been studying healing since 2004, and has an excellent track record. Call to discuss your situation: 01544 231348. AROMATHERAPY massage and facials - Bach Remedies Herbalism - Reiki. For comprehensive, holistic treatment: Roz Myers Brown, Dip. Ar. IPTI, MIPTI. Kington clinic. 07967 137208, roz.brown@btinternet.com BOWEN TECHNIQUE Bowen is a holistic, non invasive therapy consisting of gentle moves over soft tissue and muscles, interspersed with periods of rest. Suitable for adults and children. Working from clinics in Bishop’s Castle and Church Stretton. Home visits available. Contact ROB ROWE MBTPA tel: 01588 630648, email rob@robrowe.co.uk or learn more at www.bowentherapy.org.uk BOWEN & ENERGY HEALING: Releasing imbalances on many levels; listening to the body with compassion. Gentle deep body-work for pain, muscles, joints, internal conditions & whole health. Also clearing emotional, spiritual, mind-brain-body stuckness. My passion is to help clients discover more freedom & ease, enabling them to move forwards in life! Tenbury Wells & Ludlow (also home visits). Phone me for a chat or appointment. Hilary Foxwell 01584 819010. CHARTERED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST & PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPIST with over 25 years professional NHS experience, providing psychological help to adults. Please see website for details: www. drmatthewfaull.co.uk. I am highly trained and experienced in using evidence–based psychotherapies to relieve distress and help you achieve your life goals, and offer sessions in Ludlow and Leintwardine. I also offer supervision to mental health

professionals. Please contact me by email: mfaull@btinternet. com, to arrange a free initial phone conversation to consider your needs. Registered with British Psychological Society, British Psychoanalytic Council, Health Professions Council. CLAIRE KERBY COUNSELLING (Post grad dip Counselling, MBACP). Having someone to talk to outside your normal circle of friends / family can really help to gain a new clarity and sense of perspective. I would love it if you would call me, in confidence, with no judgement on 07971 816541, or email me at Claire.kerby@btinternet.com. COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (CBT), COUNSELLING AND COUPLE COUNSELLING Hello! CBT can work well for depression, anxiety, panic, OCD, anger, phobias, self-harm, eating disorders, low self-esteem and more. I also offer counselling for most issues, including sexuality, bereavement and past sexual abuse. Couple counselling is available and counselling for those who have problems concerning self-esteem, relationships or lack of them. Contact Gail Venables MBACP (Accred) on 01544 350384 or www. cbtgail.co.uk for sessions in Leominster and New Radnor COUNSELLING. Person-centred, focused on you. Do you need someone to talk to in confidence? I am a qualified counsellor based between Ludlow and Leominster. Home visits are also available. Contact me - Wendy Clare on 0792 3311550, email vivada.advice@gmail.com or visit my website wendyclare.weebly.com Together we discover what works for you. COUNSELLING & MINDFULNESS COACHING with Matthew Ward MBACP, Accredited Mindfulness Trainer. I provide a safe and confidential counselling service to explore the challenges that life can bring such as loss and anxiety. I also offer individual mindfulness coaching and run regular courses locally. 01568 708836 or 07982 466224 marchesmindfulness.co.uk COUNSELLING, HEALING, MEDIUMSHIP. Spiritual Medium & Author Jenny Martin, offers one to one tuition or personal counselling/healing in Mid Wales. Over 20 years experience. Jenny’s spiritual development manual and her biography are both available via www.jennymartinmedium. com or contact jenny@jennymartinmedium.com for more information. CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY with Jess Pailthorpe RCST. Safe, effective, light-touch treatments to help you heal & repair. Muscle/joint problems, stress, anxiety, fatigue, trauma….Clinics in Leominster Osteopaths and Kingsland. Phone for more info: 07981 866 667 / www.touchtreetherapy.co.uk DRUM MANTRA MEDITATE Lead by Roise (roe-sha) On the first Thursday of the month 9.50am - 11am. £8 It’s fun, it energises the body and calms the mind. Phone 07511 621 856. At S.E.N.S.E. in Tenbury Wells EMOTIONAL THERAPY: Anne Cummings FETC (Adv Dip), MNCS (Accred) offers this safe, effective therapy to help adults and children heal their emotional and spiritual wounds and fulfil their personal potential. If you have difficulty relating to others, or have troublesome emotions call Anne on 01547 530977. Specialist knowledge and experience of working with panic attacks, anger, stress, bullying, low self-esteem, bereavement/loss, anxiety and depression. Centres in Powys/ south Shropshire. Ffi including workshops and talks see www.thewritetofeel.com.

HEREFORD HOMEOPATH Juliet Ablett RHom, MARH, MNCHM. Experienced practitioner works with you as an individual, listening without judgement; working with whatever symptoms or issues you have. Natural, effective treatment suitable for all ages. I am very happy to chat with you on the phone about what treatment you are looking for before you commit to an appointment. Weekly clinics at Hereford Centre for Natural Health and Monmouth Natural Health Centre. Juliet Ablett www.julietablett.co.uk julietablett@rocketmail.com 01981 241456 HOLISTIC BEAUTY AND MASSAGE – JILL GRAHAM. MTIcertHM. CIBTAC. Reiki 3. Mindfulness Pract. Treatments to relax the mind and body in peaceful surroundings. Beauty Treatments, Massage, Massage 4 Pregnancy (Specialise), Indian Head, . ‘The Studio’ NORTON, PRESTEIGNE. 07766 722735 - www.holisticbeautyandmassage.co.uk email: jill.e.graham@btinternet.com Facebook: @holisticbeautyandmassage HOMOEOPATHY Sandy Underhill RSHom. Homoeopathy is a system of medicine which involves treating the individual with highly diluted substances, given mainly in tablet form, with the aim of triggering the body’s natural system of healing. Based on their individual symptoms, the homeopath will match the most appropriate medicine to each patient. Clinics in Llandrindod Wells, Kington and Presteigne. 01597 851021. MASSAGE THERAPY WITH MARIAN HARDIMAN (MTI, CNHC, MLDUK). Remedial, Sports, Holistic, Indian Head Massage. Organic Facial and Manual Lymph Drainage. Clinics in Presteigne (The Retreat) and Llandrindod Wells (Rock Park) or at your workplace or event. Contact: marian@ silvanmassage.com, www.silvanmassage.com, 07816 981454. NO HANDS® MASSAGE works on every level: physical, energetic, emotional, mental and spiritual. It’s deep, transforming touch with no pain. Come and train with Wendy Mills, Master Therapist and Instructor. Clinic and Courses held in Sutton St Nicholas, Hereford. 07858137889; millsw1@tiscali.co.uk; www.wendymills.co.uk MASSAGE THERAPY Injuries, stress, relaxation. Claire Williams I.T.E.C. / N.I.M. 01544 267172. Clinics in Presteigne, Ludlow and Hereford. OSTEOPATH. Mr R A Hughes D.O. Registered Osteopath and Sports Therapist. Fully qualified and registered since 1995 Established in Presteigne for over 20 years. Sciatica, Arthritis, Trapped Nerves, Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain. Headaches, Sports Injuries. 07961 352056, rahughesosteo@gmail.com The Retreat, Presteigne – free car parking. PHYSIOTHERAPY, CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY, REFLEXOLOGY & YOGA with Hermione Evans, Chartered Physiotherapist at Radnor Physiotherapy. For all back and neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, RSI, stress related illness and more. To discuss your needs or to make an appointment, please phone 01544 350691 or email contact@radnorphysiotherapy. co.uk or view www.radnorphysiotherapy.co.uk THE REAL BIRTH WORKSHOP - Birth physiology course with JILL GRAHAM – day workshop - includes lunch. Promoting positive attitudes whatever your choice! Helping you to feel confident in your abilities and the decisions that you make about your labour and birth. I will take you on a step by step journey of how your body works. 25 mile radius of Presteigne, individuals, couples or small groups. In clients home or @ ‘The Studio’ NORTON, PRESTEIGNE. For more information - 07766 722735, www.holisticbeautyandmassage. co.uk email: jill.e.graham@btinternet.com. SOUND BATH WITH ROISE (roe-sha) On the third Tuesday of the month 7 - 9 pm. Roise plays gentle sounds for groups for healing and relaxation. £12, or £10 with a friend. Roise also offers individual treatments. Phone 07511 621 856. At S.E.N.S.E. in Tenbury Wells.

SOUND HEALING TRAINING AND WORKSHOP RETREATS We run the 5 part Sound Therapy training programme for the College of Sound Healing as weekend retreats in the beautiful setting of Primrose Haven with lovely gardens and sacred spaces. Also Seasonal Sounds Days and weekend retreats: Sound Healing and Nature; Magical Resonance of Celtic Sounds and Sound and gardening for the soul. Retreat stays in our cosy Shepherd Huts. Occasional evening sound and Gong meditations. Please contact Paul Benham, paul@primrosehavenretreats.co.uk and www.primrosehavenretreats.co.uk. 01497 847299. SPIRITUAL HEALER Naturally gifted in releasing emotional grief in present and past lives. 28 years professional experience with physical and mental health. Private healing sessions and talks given. Gillian Williamson, MNFSH. Field House, Kinnerton. 01547 560874.

Workshops

WORKSHOP LISTINGS - Single (dated) listings are free. Year round, ongoing workshops will cost £40 per year.

Until Wed 10 April, every Wednesday TYBERTON INTERFAITH TALKS 2019 Finding Common Ground. 7.30pm. Different speakers each week including Imam Sohayb from Craven Arms Mosque, Alison Turner from Herefordshire Jewish Community, Mary Bunting - Western Sufism, Kirk Brown Vispassna Meditation Centre and Revd Simon Lockett from Tyberton Church where each event is held. Tyberton Church is on the B4352 mid-way between Hereford and Hay-on-Wye. Details contact Simon Lockett on 01981 250245 or email abbeydoredmc@gmail.com.

Fri 12 - Mon 15 April THE MAGICAL RESONANCE OF CELTIC, DRUIDIC AND PRE CELTIC SOUNDS RETREAT Share spritual practices and a focus on ceremony and an option to attend a sweat lodge Sunday afternoon and stay Sunday night. Primose Haven, Felindre, Brecon, £205 including food and two nights accommodation or £255 including sweat lodge and three nights. www.primrosehavenretreats.co.uk 01497 847299.

YOGA IN PRESTEIGNE New location

Group classes and individual tuition Stapleton Yoga Studio Marie Hudson 01544 260352

www.theyogapractice.org.uk

From Fri 12 - Wed 17 April, plus through to August WELL-BEING RETREAT IN PORTUGAL Tranquility, inner-happiness and calm. Spiritual awakening, vibrational energies, gong therapy and more. Organic vegetarian meals. £375 for five days, flights not included. For more information email melainaevans01@gmail.com Thurs 18 April ECO SPIRIT CAFE Meeting for people interested in spirituality and our connection with the environment. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 7.30pm, free, 01497 821762.

BUDDHISM AND MEDITATION CLASSES IN HEREFORDSHIRE Led by members of the Triratna Buddhist Order. HEREFORD Mondays, Near LEDBURY Wednesdays, LEOMINSTER Thursdays. All classes 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Give what you can, suggested donation £5. All welcome. More details from matthew@adhisthana.org 01531 641726 or Meg 01432 830322. Text 07980 892653.

PILATES SESSIONS - Pilates is a method of exercise designed to elongate and strengthen the body. It promotes improved core strength and stability which in turn improves posture, flexibility, circulation and physical wellbeing. Classes available in Presteigne and various locations within the North Herefordshire, North Worcestershire and South Shropshire area. All sessions are based on small groups and working to individual abilities therefore booking is essential. Private sessions by arrangement. Contact Jackie on 0782 4114979 or justjackie39@ gmail.com

MEDITATION FOR INNER PEACE AND HAPPINESS Drop- In classes at Plas Dolerw Conference Centre in Newtown. 7-9pm on Tuesday evenings.Everybody Welcome. See meditationinwales.org for term dates. £3 or £5 and includes tea and grapes.

HEDGEROW MEDICINE, KITCHEN PHARMACY: Herbal Medicine Making Courses with Rowan McOnegal, Medical Herbalist. Practical weekend courses which explore identifying, growing, harvesting, drying, storing and using herbs. Covers the basic principles of herbal medicine, and making and using teas, tinctures, infused oils, ointments, creams, syrups, inhalations and baths. www.hedgerowmedicine.org 01531 670075. First Saturday of the month MEDITATION Bleddfa Centre, 11am-12.30pm, free, 01547 550377.

Mon YOGA LESSONS All abilities welcome, bring a yoga mat, small cusion and blanket. Hall, Barn, Bleddfa, near Knighton, 01547 550377.

Mondays & Wednesdays PILATES Pilates-Based Back Care - Mon 10.30am & Wed 5.45pm. Pilates-Based Body Conditioning - Mon 11.45am & Wed 7pm. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 01874 625992.

Third Thursday of the month ECO SPIRIT CAFE An informal monthly meeting for people interested in spirituality and connection to the environment. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 7.30pm, free, 01497 821762. First Friday of the month SILENCE AND STILLNESS Bleddfa Centre, near Knighton, 11am-12pm, free, 01547 550377.