Word

Sat 14 March LES BARKER Anyone who has seen him live is almost immediately drawn into his silly and delightful world. Moccas Village Hall, HR2 9LQ, 8pm start, £9.50, please book, 01981 500201. Tues 17 March ED BYRNE - IF I’M HONEST Ed takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has ANY traits that are worth passing on to his children. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £26.50, 01743 281281. Fri 20 & Fri 27 March WESTONS CIDER COMEDY CLUB Some of the best up-and-coming comedians on the circuit. For ages 18+. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.45pm, 01432 340555. Wed 25 March GEOFF NORCOTT - TAKING LIBERTIES Honest and blunt, with out being a d**k. Mostly. For ages 16+. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £15, 01743 281281. Fri 27 March COMEDY CLUB Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 8pm, £10, or £20 and get a curry and drink before the show. For ages 16+. 01874 611622. Fri 27 March MARK THOMAS - 50 THINGS ABOUT US Using storytelling, stand-up, subversion and really, really well researched material. For ages 16+. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £19, 01743 281281. Fri 3 April PETE FIRMAN AND THE AMAZING TBC Magician/comedian Pete Firman will be joined by a special guest who has no previous conjuring experience. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £18, 01743 281281. Sat 4 April CHRIS RAMSEY - 20/20 Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 4pm & 7.30pm, £24, 01743 281281. Sat 4 April & Sat 16 May BOX OF FROGS IMPROV COMEDY BOX OF FROGS brings you a night of high-octane improvised comedy, based entirely on your suggestions. 4 April - SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, 6.30pm, £10/£6/£35, 01588 630321. 16 May - Chapel Lawn VH, 8pm, £10, 07964 710983. Arts Alive.

March & April BRECKNOCK ART SOCIETY 10 March - ‘Cardiff Castle, a Welsh Victorian Camelot’, a lecture by Matthew Williams. 14 April - ‘Alice & Meredith Williams, A Creative Partnerhsip’, a talk by Phyllida Shaw. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 2.30pm, £8, 01874 611622. March ART HOUSE OPEN LECTURE SERIES 2020 11 March - Sally Payen. The Art House, Castle St, Worcester, 01905 855000, www.worcester.ac.uk Every Wed in March & 1 April TYBERTON SPIRITUALITY TALKS Theme: ‘A Kinder Place: Resilience in a time of change and fragility’. St Mary’s Church, Tyberton, HR2 9PT. Details email abbeydoredmc@gmail.com March & April THE ARTS SOCIETY HEREFORD (TASH) 10 March - ‘The Two Gustavs: Mahler and Klimpt’, an illustrated lecture by Gavin Plumley. 14 April - ‘Damien Hirst and Contemporary Art’, an illustrated lecture by David Worthington. The Green Dragon Hotel, Broad St, Hereford, 2.15pm, members free, guests £9, new members welcome, 01568 797703. March HAY CAMERA CLUB 3 March - ‘Weather’, competition of digital images and prints. 10 March - ‘Tales from the Dark Side’, a monochrome print presentation by Peter Young. 17 March - ‘Sculptures of Wales’, presented by Dainis and Tony. 24 March - ‘People of Hay’, presented by Billie Charity. 31 March - ‘Mirrorless Landscapes’, presented by Jim Cossey. Masonic Hall, Brecon Rd, Hay-on-Wye, 7.30pm, non-members welcome, £5. www.haycameraclub.co.uk March & April HEREFORD ARTS APPRECIATION SOCIETY 20 March - ‘The Enigma Variations: Elgar’s Friends pictured within’, talk by Dennis Schiavon. 17 April - ‘The Story of British Pub Signs’, a talk by Dorothy Nicolle. Kindle Centre, adjacent to ASDA, Hereford, 2.30pm. 01432 890469. March SOUTH WEST GARDENING CLUB 25 March - ‘Perfume in the Garden’, a talk b Anne Harrison. Lydbury North Village Hall, 7.30pm, £5 including refreshments, 01588 620953. March & April HARDY PLANT SOCIETY - HEREFORDSHIRE AND MID WALES 14 March - ‘Getting the best from your Roses’, a talk by Michael Marriott, Pembridge Village Hall, 2pm, £4. 11 April - ‘Aulden Farm - From Conception to Chaos!’ A talk by Jill Whitehead. Glasbury Village Hall, 2pm, £4, 01544 262795. Mon 2 March SEX & RELATIONSHIPS CAPACITY CONFERENCE Shropshire Council presents a conference on sex, relationships, mental capacity and human rights. Speakers include Professor Claire de Than and Neil Allen. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 9.15am-4.15pm, £55 including lunch, 01743 281281.

Tues 3 March LINGEN & DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB ‘The Evolution of Walled Kitchen Gardens’, a talk by William Scott. Lingen Village Hall, 7.30pm, £15 membership + £1 per talk, visitors £4, 01544 267463. Wed 4 March AN EVENING WITH ADAM FROST Garden designer. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, 01600 719401. Sun 8 March PETER SCUDAMORE MBE Cheltenham Festival preview with Peter Scudamore and panel and two-course dinner. Castle House, Castle St, Hereford, 7pm, £35, 01432 356321. Sun 8 March INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Celebrating women’s strength, resilience and survival. With speakers from Palestine, Zimbabwe, XR Rebellion, Youth Parliament, Syria and Modern Slavery Unit. Plus storytelling, film, stalls and displays. Melville Theatre, Pen y Pound, Abergavenny, 10am-4pm, free event, donations to costs welcome. Fri 13 March MARCH MEADOWS GROUP ‘The Botanist Gin’, a talk by Richard Gulliver. Church Barn, Church Lane, Bishop’s Castle, 7.30pm, £3. Sun 15 March AN EVENING WITH AMANDA OWEN: THE ADVENTURES OF A YORKSHIRE SHEPHERDESS Star of Channel 5’s ‘Our Yorkshire Home’, Amanda brings us a frank, funny and informative new show with heart-warming tales and honest anecdotes from her farming, family life in North Yorkshire. Savoy Theatre, 7.30pm, £16.50, Monmouth, 01600 772467. Tues 17 March GARWAY HERITAGE GROUP ‘Kentchurch Court and the Scudamores, a talk by Heather Hurley. Garway Village Hall, 7.30pm, visitors £5 including refreshments. Tues 17 March LUDLOW & MARCHES HUMANISTS ‘Climate Change, what Climate Change?’ A talk by Dr Frank Baker, a retired scientist. Friends Meeting House, St Mary’s Lane, Ludlow, 7.30pm, 01584 872492. 52

Wed 18 March LEOMINSTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY Sarah Hollingdale, Activity Officer for Hereford Cathedral will be describing her finds with The Eastern Cloisters Project. Grange Court, Leominster, 7.30pm, visitors welcome, £4 on the door. Wed 18 March EATON BISHOP GARDENING CLUB ‘Reinventing Your Garden’, a talk by Tamsin Westhorpe. Eaton Bishop Village Hall, 7.30pm, www.eatonbishopvillagehall.btck.co.uk Thurs 19 March LUDLOW PALMERS - TALK AND TEA ‘Time Unfolding: Alabaster and Transience’, a talk by Janet Manifold, a sculptor working primarily in alabaster. Ludlow Methodist Church, Broad St, Ludlow, £5.50 on the door, 01584 890586. Fri 20 March 23 SIR JOHN LLOYD MEMORIAL LECTURE ‘A Pretty Castle and a Fair Place’. A lecture by Dr David Robinson on Tretower Court and the 12th century castle. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7pm, free, but please book, 01874 611622. Fri 20 March BEN FOGLE - TALES FROM THE WILDERNESS From crossing Antarctica to conquering Everest, Ben will share his tales of the wilderness. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 4pm & 7.30pm, £28.50, 01743 281281. Sat 21 March GEORGIAN HISTORY DAY A day celebrating Bishop’s Castle Georgian heritage with lectures, exhibitions and a book stall. Community College, Bishop’s Castle, 9.30am-4pm, free, 01588 673041. Sun 22 March SPEAKERS FROM THE EDGE ‘Solo and Free’, a talk by Pete Whittaker on the sub culture of underground crack climbing and onto the side of the world’s highest big walls. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7.30pm, £17/£15, 01874 611622. Sun 22 March FROM NECESSITY TO LUXURY Mark Lucas, Curator of the Welsh National Wool Museum gives an illustrated talk on the changing history of the wool industry in Wales. Presteigne Assembly Rooms, 2.30pm, £5 from The Workhouse (cash only) and online wegottickets.com Mon 23 March AN EVENING WITH NICK BUTTER Marathon runner. His talk is accompanied with photographs and video from around the world. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 6.45pm, £20/£18/£12.50, 01600 719401. Tues 24 March CONVERSATIONS AT THE CHAPEL David Hurn, one of the world’s great photographers. In conversation with Alastair Laurence. The Artshop and Chapel, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £10, 01873 736430. Thurs 26 March ARTS SOCIETY MID WALES AND BORDERS ‘Buildings of Delight’, a talk by Roger Mitchell. Powis Suite, Royal Oak Hotel, Welshpool, 2.30pm, 01938 555574.

Fri 27 March ANGUS KILLE - INDIAN FACE TO EL CAPITAIN Local climbing superstar. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 7.20pm, £8, 01743 234970. Sat 28 March SHAUN RYDER From the Madchester scene to I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Hear! Happy Mondays frontman tells all. With audience Q&A. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £25, 01743 281281. Mon 30 March EYEWITNESS - STORIES FROM ISRAEL & PALESTINE Belinda Pyke, recently returned from three months in East Jerusalem with EAPPI. Friends Meeeting House, 21 King St, Hereford, 7.30pm, herefordpsc@gmail.com Sun 5 April ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE - AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH JOHN CHALLIS Best known as Boycie in BBC1’s Only Fools and Horses, John Challis will reveal secrets from the set with stories and anecdotes from his career. Signed copies of his autobiography, ‘Being Boycie’ and his novel, ‘Reggie: A Stag at Bay’ will also be available. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 7.30pm, £20.50, 01584 811442.

Workshops & Courses

Tues 17 March DEMENTIA FRIENDS INFORMATION SESSION Understand a little more about dementia, and the little ways you can help. The Courtyard, Hereford, 6pm, 01432 340555. March & April HEREFORD CULTURE CLUB In partnership with Herefordshire Museum. 5 March - ‘Derek Evans’ Pre-Digital World of Photo-Journalism’, with Keith James. 13 March - ‘Religious Wall Paintings in 17th Century English Houses’, with Stephen Rickerby and Lisa Shekede. MRLC, Friar St, Hereford, 10am-12pm, £12 each workshop, please book, 01432 860733. With Herefordshire Archive Service. 19 March - ‘Analysing Past and Present Landscape with Digital Methods’, with David Lovelace. 23 March - ‘Constance Radcliffe Cooke of Hellens - the Hidden Story’, with Clare Wichbold. HARC, Rotherwas, Hereford, 10am-12pm, please book, 01432 880545. In partnership with Cathedral Library. 30 March & repeated on 6 April - ‘Book of Chains’ with Rosemary Firman. Cathedral Library, 10am-12.30pm, 01432 880545. Or email herefordcultureclub@gmail.com Tues 5 - Fri 8 May VOICE COACHING RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP Ledbury Poetry Festival presents an exciting opportunity for new and emerging poets to improve their peformance technique. Applications close 5pm, 3 April. Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, HR8 2LY. www.poetry-festival.co.uk 1st Saturday READING GROUP Bleddfa Centre, near Knighton, afternoons, donations, 01547 550377. Mondays WRITING ROOM The Courtyard, Hereford, 6.30-8.30pm, £75 per term, 01432 340555. Mondays STORY CORNER AT THE COURTYARD For ages 4 years and under. The Courtyard, Hereford, 01432 340555. Fourth Monday SCIENCE CAFÉ Informal group, talks and discussions on scientific topics. The Swan at Hay, 7pm, free, all welcome, sciencecafe@outlook.com Every Tues & Wed SPANISH LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS Tues - Advance beginners 5.30pm, beginners 7pm, Wed - Advance Spanish B1, 10am, with Mely. Private tuition - GCSE students and A Level. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, 07837 160505. Every Tues READING ROOM The Courtyard, Hereford, 10.30am-12.30pm, £55 per term, 01432 340555. First Wednesday of each month BABARS’ BOOK CLUB All welcome, 6.30pm, Babar’s Cafe, Union St, Hereford, 01432 342334. First Wednesday of the month POETRY CAFE, Charlton Arms, Ludlow, 7.30pm, 01584 872813. 2nd Wednesday of each month WYESIDE WRITERS GROUP An informal writers’ group for wordsmiths. Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells, 7pm, £2.50, 01982 552555. Every Thursday WELSH CLASSES FOR ADULTS Presteigne Assembly Rooms, 10.30am-3pm, 01639 841751. 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 Last Thursday of the month BOOK CLUB De Koffie Pot, Bridge St, Hereford, 8pm, 01432 357753, ECStarling@theherefordacademy.org.uk 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, 3rd Thursday, Assembly Rooms, 7.30pm, 01544 260398. Stuart Morris HND Garden Maintenance Services ♠ SPADES ACE OF

♠ All aspects of garden maintenance ♠ Mowing ♠ Borders ♠ Turfing ♠ Hedge and shrub cutting ♠ Tree surgery ♠ Full public liability

Meat Versus Gloop! Is Livestock Farming on the Skids?

FOR once in a blue moon this column actually touches on grass roots, or, at least it will attempt to. My thoughts in this area began with a programme about food and farming, presented by the Guardian columnist George Monbiot. Because of bad planning and technical incompetence, I did not actually see the programme, Apocalypse Cow! But in the best traditions of shoddy journalism, I did not want to let that put me off! So instead I managed to read a column that Monbiot wrote to accompany the TV output. When I read it I felt quite relieved that I had not actually had to watch the programme. As far as I can tell, it predicted that conventional farming was on the skids and would be gone, collapsed, within a decade or two. One lobby group backing conventional farming seemed to think that Monbiot was giving it another fifty years. But, as I read it, their view was highly optimistic. He began by describing a commercial lab in Finland, where, in a metal tank, a “primordial soup”, or froth, of bacteria was being produced, eventually being extruded and dried to create a “a rich yellow flour”. Technicians, adding oat milk to the flour, then made the mixture into a pancake, which the brave George consumed. Despite his huge enthusiasm, he managed to make the whole process and the food, sound fairly stomach-churning. An organic farmer I recently met in Radnorshire described the food thus produced as “gloop”, hinting that she wouldn’t really want to eat it, unless forced to. Before Gwyneth Paltrow and her lawyers pounce on the editor of Broad Sheep, or issue a writ, I must point out that gloop has nothing to do with “goop” and whatever Gwyneth does with it. There is an L of a difference! Of course, in Roald Dahl’s story, it was the fate of Augustus Gloop, “the great big greedy nincompoop” to be sliced and diced, added to cream and sugar, and finally to emerge from miles of pipework as a lump of fudge! George Monbiot quotes a think tank looking for food solutions, RethinkX, as predicting that the “precision fermentation” described above would be producing proteins ten times more cheaply than livestock farming by 2035. And this group seems to predict the collapse of the livestock industry not long after that. Although I have a high regard for George Monbiot, he does from time to time go off at a tangent. In March 2011, for instance, his response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan was, to say the least, counter-intuitive. You may recall that following a tsunami which destroyed the cooling systems of four nuclear reactors, the buildings housing those reactors could be seen on television, almost in real time, exploding and disintegrating, day after day. Monbiot’s conclusion was that since the high-level radiation emitted had not visibly killed anyone, then a 54

nuclear power meltdown was not as bad a thing as some environmentalists had led us to believe. On which basis, he promptly switched from being anti-nuclear to pronuclear! But back to food and farming! The implication of Apocalypse Cow was that once we have refined “precision fermentation” (making edible gloop from a soup of bacteria) we can go ahead and sweep away all livestock farming! But even those who are not avid meat-eaters may suspect that it will not be as easy or straightforward as that. A researcher at the New Economics Foundation, Griffin Carpenter, points out that lab-grown food is only the latest in a series of magic bullet solutions put forward as answers to the damage being done to the planet by fossil fuels and intensive farming. The ones he lists are - electric vehicles, carbon taxes, tree planting, carbon offsets, no-tillage farming, carbon capture, wood pellets, seaweed, climate treaties – and of course nuclear power! Griffin Carpenter argues that a transition to a farm-free food system would mean great disruption in land use, and that we must have regard to those who work in the farming sector. He points out that farm-free ultimately means farmer-free, and that in Britain alone, more than a third of a million people work in farming. Whatever view we may take of gloop and any chance it gives us of making food production more eco-friendly, our farming methods still face a massive challenge. For, according to the Committee on Climate Change, official advisors to the government, if UK farming is to play its full part in getting us to net zero by 2050, we need to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by a massive 64% in that time. And, say the CCC, we therefore need to cut our consumption of carbon-intensive food, such as beef, lamb and dairy, by 20% in the next thirty years. There are other good reasons for doing that, but little chance of it happening unless it is made to sound a lot more palatable.

Julian O’Halloran