Poetry & Storytelling

Sat 15 April

HENRY NORMAL: COLLECTED POEMS AND OTHER LANDFILL

Henry is a writer, poet, TV and Film producer, founder of the Manchester Poetry Festival and co-founder of the Nottinham Poetry Festival. Expect a mixture of the absurd and downright wacky... a gentle giant of stand-up poetry. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, £18, 01600 772467.

Mon 17 April

RED PARROT POETRY

With readings from poets Vuyelwa Carlin and Rhiannon Hooson, as well as Roger Garfitt who will talk about the work of his late wife, Frances Horovitz. No. 46 (The Wine Bar), High St, Presteigne, 7pm, £5 on the door, half the takings will be donated to Ukrainian refugees.

Comedy

Sat 1 April

FARCICAL COMEDY AT THE LEFT BANK VILLAGE

Featuring Bethany Black, Jamie Hutchinson and Callum Oakley. Speakeasy, The Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 7.30pm, £15, www.theleftbankvillage.co.uk

Sat 1, Thurs 13 & Sat 22 April

AN EVENING AND A LITTLE BIT OF MORNING WITH MARK STEEL

There is so much to yell about. There’s the modern world in which you spend so long trying to work out iTunes, that it’s easier to form a band and learn the songs.

1 April - The Hafren, Newtown, 8pm, £18, 01686 948100. 13 April - Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, £15, 01873 850805. 22 April - Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 8pm, £17, 01600 772467.

Sat 1 & Sun 2 April

HAL CRUTTENDEN: IT’S BEST YOU HEAR IT FROM ME

After 21 years and 224 days, Hal’s back being single. He’s lost enough weight to almost get his wedding ring off... For ages 14+. 1 April - Wyeside, Builth Wells, 8pm, £19, 01982 552555. 2 April - Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 8pm, £19, 01600 772467.

Sat 8 April

GARY DELANEY: GARY IN PUNDERLAND

Get ready to dive into a rabbit hole of the best jokes in the world. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 8pm, 01584 811442

Fri 14 April

AXEL BLAKE

Britain’s Got Talent 2022 winner. For ages 16+. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 2.30pm & 7.30pm, 01743 281281.

Fri 14 April

WESTON’S CIDER COMEDY CLUB

Laugh out loud comedy from some of the hottest up and coming comedians on the circuit. For ages 18+ only. The Courtyard, Hereford, 8.30pm, 01432 340555.

Sun 16 April

SIMON BRODKIN

World-famous prankster and comedian on TikTok, back for a new stand-up show. For ages 14+. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £24, 01743 281281.

Sun 16 April

CHRIS MCCAUSLAND: SPEAKY BLINDER

Star of The Royal Variety Performance, Would I Lie to You?, Have I Got New for You, QI and Live at the Apollo. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, 01600 719401.

Wed 26 April

PAUL SMITH - JOKER

Scouse funny man mixes his trade mark audience interaction with more hilarious true stories. For ages 14+. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £26.50, 01743 281281.

Fri 28 April

MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE

The master of satirical comedy, Marcus has proved to be blisteringly funny over a wide range of topics. The Courtyard, Hereford, 8pm, 01432 340555.

Sun 30 April

SEVERN JESTERS

Discover the new stars of stand-up and the best from the fringe. For ages 18+. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm £12, 01743 281281.

Talks

Every day from 1 April - 31 October

HEREFORD GUILD OF GUIDES

Guided tours around Hereford. Also pre-booked themed walks for groups all year round. Mon-Sat 11.30am, Sun 2.30pm (approx 1.5 hours). Tickets from the Cathedral Shop and meet at Cathedral main entrance, Adults £6, children 6-12 years £1, 07947 924494, www.herefordguidedwalks.org.uk

Sat 1 April

HEREFORD WEA

‘Silurian Period’. A geology talk by Dave Green. Saxon Hall, Hereford, 10am-1pm, booking essential. www.wea.org.uk

Sun 2 April

THE LOST RAINFORESTS OF BRITAIN

An illustrated talk by Guy Shrubsole. Museum of Modern Art, Machynlleth, 1.30pm, £5, 01654 703355.

Sun 2 April

BOOK LAUNCH

‘All the Wide Border’. Mike Parker. Museum of Modern Art, Machynlleth, 7pm, £5, 01654 703355.

Wed 5 April

EASTER & ISLAM

A talk by Professor David Thomas, Emeritus Professor of Christianity and Islam. St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye, 7pm, £5, www.rossparishes.uk or on the door.

Sun 9 April

JODY WHITE

Jody speaks to local writer Ian Marchant about his debut book Chimera with a Q&A and a musical interlude from guitarists Jon and Rob. Chimera ia an alchemical dive into teenage illness - a near-death initiation framed by the innate, mythic stories that touch all our lives. The Assembly Rooms, Presteigne, 3pm, £7.

Sun 9 April

SURREALISM IN WALES

Talks and debate. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 12pm, 01497 821762.

Thurs 13 April & Thurs 11 May

GOING WILD IN BISHOP’S CASTLE

Winter talks. Town Hall, Bishop’s Castle, 7pm, donation box at entrance, no pre-booking required, bar available.

Fri 14 - Sun 16 April

BEATLES FEST TENBURY

‘Before Abbey Road there was Teme Street... Celebrating 60 years since The Beatles played at Tenbury’.

14 April - ‘A Twist & Shout in Tenbury Wells with Beatles historian, Mark Lewisohn’, 6pm, £10, discount ticket on every 2nd ticket.

14 April - ‘Roger McGough: Alive and Gigging’, The show takes the audience on a journey back to key moments of his life in Liverpool before WWII, with memories and poems, 8pm, £17.50, discount on every 2nd ticket.

15 April - ‘A Day in the life of The Beatles with Andrew Lowe’. This lively account, part factual, part fiction will take you back to the birth of the pop culture and forward to all that followed. 11am, £5, discount on 2nd ticket. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 01584 811442.

Fri 14 April

COLOUR - SPACE - LIGHT WITH LOTHAR GÖTZ

Lothar Götz talks about his work which involves creating artworks for historic galleries. Clore Learning Space, Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, £10, 01497 820079.

Sat 15 April

THE FEVER OF THE WORLD

Author Phil Rickman talks about his latest Merrily Watkins novel, set in the Wye Valley. St Mary’s Church, Ross-onWye, 6pm, £8 on the door.

Sat 15 April

HARDY PLANT SOCIETY

‘Hardy Geraniums, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly’. A talk given by Sue Clarke. Pembridge Village Hall, 2pm, £5, www.hmwhps.org.uk 07711 719505.

Tues 18 April

ART AND CLIMATE ROUNDTABLE

Featuring voices from leading artists and hosted by Andy Fryers. The Art House, University of Worcester, 5-8pm, free in-person and online via zoom. Tickets can be booked at www.meadowarts.org

Tues 18 April

LUDLOW & MARCHES HUMANISTS

‘Why is Pope Francis special?’ An informal talk by ` Father Christopher Walsh of St Peter’s Catholic Church, Ludlow, followed by Q&A. The Friends Meeting House, St Mary’s Lane, Ludlow, 7.30pm, 01568 770282.

Tues 18 April

WILD LABYRINTH: EMBODYING THE CREATOR OF THE MAPPA MUNDI

Lecture by Kate Innes. College Hall, Hereford Cathedral, 7pm, £10, www.herefordcathedral.org

Wed 19 April

CONVERSATIONS AT THE CHAPEL - JACKIE KAY

In conversation with Alistair Laurence. Jackie has been the National Poet of Scotland and a writer. She was former Chancellor of the University of Salford and is currently Professor of Creative Writing at Newcastle University. The Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £12, 01873 852690.

Wed 19 April

TRACY BORMAN

Royal Historian, broadcaster and Chief Curator of Hampton Court and The Tower of London. A gripping 1000 year tour of the Kings and Queens including the good, the bad, the great and the mad. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £27, 01743 281281.

Wed 19 April

LEOMINSTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY

‘The Medieval Stained Glass of Herefordshire & Shropshire’, a talk by Rob Walker. Grange Court, Leominster, 7.30pm, members free, visitors £4 at the door.

Fri 21 April

HEREFORD ARTS APPRECIATION SOCIETY

‘Singing for a Trio of Conductors’. Pamela White is a leading figure in Hereford’s musical activities. Office Q, Kindle Centre, Hereford, 2.30pm.

Fri 21 April

TRACY BORMAN: HOW TO BE A GOOD MONARCH

‘1000 years of Kings and Queens: The good, the bad, the great and the mad!’ Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7.30pm, £25, 01874 611622.

Sat 22 April

ADAM FROST

Join award-winning British garden designer and Gardeners’ World present. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £32, 01743 281281.

Wed 26 April

SOUTH WEST SHROPSHIRE GARDENING CLUB

‘The Gardens of the Arts and Crafts Movement’. A talk by Richard Rallings (Mynd Hardy Plants). Lydbury North Village Hall, 7.30pm, £5 visitors, www.gardeningshropshire.co.uk

Wed 26 April

THE REIGN - PART ONE

Matthew Engel will talk about his new book, The Reign Part One - the first part of his sweeping social history of modern Britain during the reign of Elizabeth II. St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye, 7pm, £8 on the door.

Wed 26 April

MATILDA DE BRAOSE - LADY OF MAGNA CARTA

A talk on the Lady who built Hay Castle, by Sharon Bennett Connolly. Clore Learning Space, Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, £10, 01497 820079.

Thurs 27 April

ARTS SOCIETY MID WALES & BORDERS

‘Erdigg - the Jewel in the Crown of Welsh Country Houses’, a talk by Jill Bruton. Powis Suite, Royal Oak Hotel, Welshpool, 2.30pm, visitors £6, 01938 555574.

Thurs 27 April

MARK LABBETT: MEET & BEAT THE BEAST

An evening of fun, challenging interaction with the most iconic quizzing personality on TV. The second half of the evening will be an interactive quiz for all the audience. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, 01432 340555.

Fri 28 April

A TALE OF TWO CITIES WITH PAUL HILLS

‘Colour in Florence and Venice’. How does Bellini’s colour differ from Botticelli’s? Clore Learning Space, Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, £10, 01497 820079.

Sat 29 April

GUIDE TO THE ORGANS

Join Geraint Bowen, Peter Dyke and Evie Perfect for this fun and informative guide to the organs. Hereford Cathedral, 11.30am, free with no booking required.

Workshops & Courses

LEDBURY YOUNG POETS COMPETITION‘EARTHWORDS’

Invites 5-18 year olds to explore the natural world prompted by the theme ‘Earthwords’. Open to anyone living in Herefordshire, Worcestershire & Gloucestershire. (5-11 and 12-18). Poems can be entered online at www.ledburypoetry.org.uk and the winners will be announced during Ledbury Poetry Festival on 1 July.

ITALIAN LESSONS ON-LINE FOR ADULTS –ONE-TO-ONE or SMALL GROUPS

Learn or improve your Italian from the comfort of your home with Lorenzo, your local native Italian tutor and language specialist. Conversational Italian, Beginners Italian, Improvers Italian, Advanced Italian, Italian culture and food.Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: On-line only. Thursday morning: In-person group conversation meetings and workshops in Hereford. For more info, call Lorenzo on 01432 870661, WhatsApp +441432870661, or email italian@italianwords.co.uk

Visit www.italianwords.co.uk/tuition.html

WHY VOLUNTEER FOR OXFAM HAY ON WYE?

People become Oxfam volunteers for all sorts of reasons. No-one can bring the same skills, passion and personality that you can. And, because you’ll be working with Oxfam, with your community, and with so many like minded people, the impact you’ll have will be greater than anyone could achieve alone. Ask in-store to find out more or visit oxfam.org.uk/jointheteam

Sat 1 April HEREFORD WEA

‘Hereford in the Silurian Period’. A geology talk by Dave Green. Saxon Hall, Hereford, 10am-1pm, £15, booking essential, 0300 346303, www.wea.org.uk

Mon 3 - Thurs 12 April BOOK, CD & DVD SALE

Second hand books, DVDs and CDs. Town Hall, Bishop’s Castle. Open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, 01588 630023.

Fri 3, 9, 16 & 23 April

NATURE WRITING WORKSHOPS

All levels welcome to these creative writing workshops. For ages 16+. Booking essential. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 10am-11.30am, free, 01743 234970.

Fri 7 April (monthly on the first Friday)

POT AND PAGE BOOK CLUB

A meal inspired by the book will be served during the evening and our all local bar will be open serving literary cocktails until close. www.potandpage.co.uk. Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 7pm, 01531 248743.

Sat 15 & Sun 16 April

LEGEND, MYTH & HISTORY: HISTORICAL FICTION MASTERCLASS FOR WRITERS

With Barbara Erskine and Katherine Stansfield. Learn about research strategies and creating compelling characters of the past. Clore Learning Space, Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye, £125, teas/coffees provided, 01497 820079.

Sat 15 April

GET YOUR WORDS OUT!

If you are a writer and would love to read your work in public and suffer from glossophobia, then Cheryl Powell, can help. Ledbury Poetry House, 10am-3pm, £30, www.ledburypoetry.org.uk

Tues 25 April

LEDBURY POETRY ONLINE READING GROUP

April book: ‘I’m OK, I’m Pig!’ by Kim Hyesoon. Friendly and informal, 6.30-8.30pm. Email director@ledburypoetry. org.uk for zoom link.

Until 1 July SPARKS - YOUNG WRITERS GROUP Workshop designed to develop writing skills for young people. Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, Market Square, Shrewsbury, 10.30am-12.30pm, booking essential, www.sparkwriters.org

Mondays WRITING ROOM

The Courtyard, Hereford, 6.30-8.30pm, £75 per term, 01432 340555.

Every Tues, Wed & Thurs SPANISH LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS

Tues - Advance beginners 10am-11.30am, Wed - Advance Spanish B1, 10am. Thurs - Total beginners, 10am-11.30am with Mely. Private tuitionGCSE students and A Level. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, 07837 160505. www.hayspanish.com

Every Tuesday READING ROOM

The Courtyard, Hereford, 10.30am-12.30pm, £55 per term, 01432 340555.

Last Tuesday of each month HOMEND POETS

Share words written by themselves or others. Music, good company and food. No booking required. Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 6.30pm, www.potandpage.co.uk

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.

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

First Friday of the month BOOKCLUB DINNERS

Join Katie and the bookworms for an evening of literary delights. Each month we meet to discuss a different book and share a meal inspired by the story. Pot & Page, New St, Ledbury, 7pm, please book, www.potandpage.co.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.

Do onshore turbines have a fair wind at last?

HAD planned to write about drought this month. But then I woke up to snow. I know that, in Broad Sheep country, snow often melts down to nothing in a day or two, but the weather in early March didn’t seem to be a good omen for a diatribe on drought. So, instead, I opted for onshore wind power.

Why onshore wind? Mainly because turbines erected on land, compared with the networks of structures built out in the North Sea, or somewhere off the coast of Sussex, are two or three times cheaper to build. So, they should save us all a wodge of money on our electricity bills.

It’s reported by ITV News that Rishi Sunak, long before he became prime minister, was, in his time at the treasury, a vocal supporter of onshore wind power. But Sunak, since arriving in Downing Street, is less keen to deliver on his one-time support for onshore wind. It seems he is now adhering to the maze of restrictive planning rules which have prevented any major expansion of land based wind since the days of David Cameron and the coalition of 2010 to 2015.

So, from where does this reluctance to back onshore wind originate? In the early 2000s, climate change denialism was rampant. Among those at its forefront were Tories like Nigel Lawson and his son Dominic. At that time many Tory MPs seemed petrified of their green welly brigade, fulminating against onshore wind turbines, and reluctant to stand up to them.

After 2010, during the early part of the Tory-Lib Dem coalition, over a hundred Tory MPs wrote to David Cameron demanding “a halt to the spread of onshore wind farms”. And Cameron did not need much of a push to heed what they said. In the 2015 election, the Lib Dems, who had strongly backed renewables, were almost wiped out.

However, since then, a series of severe climate crises around the world has caused even some Tory hardliners to wake up to the reality of global heating. While Scotland and Wales have shown support for renewable energy, it has taken the Tories in England some time to clock that that a large swathe of their voters, maybe over 80 per cent of them, support the spread of onshore wind. Even a right-of-centre Tory, Lord Lilley, who once seemed like a diehard climate sceptic, suggested in the Lords last year that he did not find onshore wind turbines too bad to look at. “As far as onshore wind is concerned,” said the former Tory cabinet minister, “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, and I find windmills quite attractive— although this was not a view universally shared by my constituents.”

Now in 2023, the reluctance of Rishi Sunak to give real backing to onshore wind has been noted by some prominent figures in the food and environment lobby. In

February this year, more than a hundred of them wrote to cabinet members calling on them to lift the planning restrictions on onshore wind. The lead signatory was the celebrity chef, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

My family and friends know that I have never watched a TV cookery programme in my life! But FearnleyWhittingstall sounds like my kind of chef!

He writes, “Poll after poll makes it clear there is an overwhelming public majority in favour of onshore wind…yet the government apparently just doesn’t get it. They are not only totally out of sync with the people on onshore wind, they are floundering on their own commitment to net zero.”

Among other signatories are the former chief scientific advisor, Sir David King, and TV broadcasters on the environment such as Chris Packham and Liz Bonnin. The writers accuse ministers of hiding behind “obscure footnotes” in the National Planning Policy Framework which they argue will inhibit the further development of onshore wind on any great scale.

Packham, Bonnin and allies claim that only two onshore turbines were erected in England last year. Another signatory, Dale Vince, founder of the energy supplier Ecotricity, says the de facto ban on new wind turbines in England is “absurd and dishonest,” and he cites opinion polls like those outlined above.

Of course, in the early 2020s, sizeable investment in onshore wind turbines depends on to what extent wind power is taxed by the chancellor. And in mid-March, as I write, it’s risky to predict what the budget will say.

It’s also unwise to assume too much about the outcome of the next election. Labour leader Keir Starmer has voiced his disapproval of the planning restrictions blocking onshore wind. He alleges, “…they are a charter for small groups of individuals to stand in the way of secure, cheap renewable energy which brings with it a whole generation of jobs.” But will Starmer be given the chance to deliver on his enthusiasm? We’ll have to wait and see!

Julian O’Halloran