Talks

Until 9 July

LEDBURY POETRY FESTIVAL

1 July - May C. Popa, Romanian-American writer, author and editor of Publishing Review in the US talks with Matthew Hollis, poetry editor at Faber & Faber. Burgage Hall, Ledbury, 2pm. 1 July - Preti Taneja, author of the blistering Aftermath was part of the teaching programme at HMP Whitemoor, talks with Zaffar Kunial. Burgage Hall,Ledbury, 4pm. 1 July - Anthony Anaxagorou, Will Harris and Omar Bin Musa join the conversation about masculinity and its bonds against different backdrops. Burgage Hall, Ledbury, 6pm. 1 July - Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho inspires all the family through stories and poetry looking at courage, empathy and gratitude! Community Hall, Ledbury, 2pm.

2 July - Children’s writer, Michael Morpurgo introduces his new book My Heart was a Tree. Community Hall, Ledbury, 4pm. 3 July - A conversation ranging across prayer, poetry and song, Rowan Williams talks with Megan Daffern about Old Testament songs fundamental to the English language. Community Hall, Ledbury, 5pm. 3 July - Don Paterson, Dinah Roe, Fiona Sampson, chaired by Claire Armitstead, a celebration of Ledbury’s own Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Burgage Hall, Ledbury, 7pm. 4 JulyEmma Smith, Professor of Shakespeare Studies at University of Oxford and author of ‘The Making of Shakespeare’s First Folio’. Burgage Hall, Ledbury, 7pm. 7 July - Charlotte Cooper-Davies presents the life and work of Christine de Pizan who, in spite of personal tragedy wrote more than 40 books. Burgage Hall, Ledbury, 6pm. 7 July - Joelle Taylor won the TS Eliot Prize for poetry. She performs with Jess Silk, singer-songwriter. Open mic spaces available. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 8pm. Part of Ledbury Poetry Festival. www.ledburypoetryfestival.org.uk

Every day until 31 October

HEREFORD GUILD OF GUIDES

Guided tours around Hereford. Mon-Sat 11.30am, Sun 2.30pm (approx 1.5 hours). Tickets from the Cathedral Shop and meet at Cathedral, £6, children 6-12 years £1, 07947 924494, www.herefordguidedwalks.org.uk

Until Sun 2 July

LUDLOW FRINGE FESTIVAL

1 July - Kim Olyett, Write a Folk song competition, 8pm, £12, Oscars, Ludlow Assembly Rooms. www.ludlowfringe. co.uk

Wed 5 July

RUTH JONES IN COVERSATION WITH CARYL LEWIS

Launching the paperback of ‘Love Untold’. Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £25 ticket and signed book, £18 ticket, no book, 01873 850805.

Thurs 6 July

CLIVE ANDERSON: ME, MACBETH AND I

The host of Whose Line Is It Anyway, Loose Ends and Talks Back takes to the road with his first ever solo tour. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, 01432 340555.

Fri 7 July

MIKE PARKER

Acclaimed author Mike Parker will present through images and informal chat his new book, ‘All The Wide Border’. Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown, 6-8pm, free, donations welcome, cafe/bar open, 01686 625041.

Fri 7 July

IGNITE ME!

A series of inspirational talks by people whose lives have been ignited by spirituality and faith. 7 July - Right Rev. John Lomas, Bishop of Swansea & Brecon. Saint Mary Magdalene’s Church, Bleddfa, near Knighton, 7pm, £5 with a glass of wine. Advance booking via email: nicola.payne@btinternet.com

Tues 11 July

GOING WILD IN BISHOPS CASTLE

Bishop’s Castle Town Hall, 7pm, bar refreshments available, no booking required, donations at the entrance.

Wed 12 July

A BRIEF HISTORY OF IRELAND

A lighthearted talk by William Hazelton. St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye, 7pm, £5 at.rossparishes.uk and on door.

Sun 16 July

IAN MARCHANT

Ian will be reading from and talking about his latest book, ‘One Fine Day’, in which the author learns about time-keeping, why thermometers matter, strange appearances in the sky and more. The Assembly Rooms, Presteigne, 3pm, £5, tickets from The Workhouse, Presteigne or wegottickets.com

Thurs 20 July

BCHRC TALKS

Town Hall, Bishop’s Castle, 8pm, £5, refreshments available, 01588 630023.

Thurs 20 July

CONVERSATIONS AT THE CHAPEL - BARONESS DOREEN LAWRENCE

Thirty years ago, her son Stephen was murdered in a racist attack. Hear Baroness Lawrence discuss her life and work with Alastair Laurence. Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny, 7.30pm, £12, 01873 852690. All proceeds go to the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation.

Fri 21 - Sun 23 July

FESTIVAL AT THE EDGE

Enjoy storytelling, music, workshops and more. Artists appearing include Adam Beresford-Brown, Andy Harrop Smith, Angeline Morrison, Dan Serridge, The Daring Young Men, Gitan, Honor Giles and Helen Stewart, Jon Buckeridge, Jordan Campbell, Keith Donnelly with Lauren Smith, Linda Moylan, Liz Weir, Lucy Wells, Mart Van den Abbeele and Tom Van Outryve, Michael Harvey, Nell Phoenix, Peter Chand, Pete Morton, PJ Roscoe, Sarah McQuaid, She Shanties, Taffy Thomas, Talis Kimblerley, Tamar Eluned Williams, Tom Brown with Hopeless Maine, Transglobal Underground, Zanthe Gresham Knight and more. Hopton Court, Cleobury Mortimer, Kidderminster, DY14 0EF. Weekend and day tickets available, 07544 044 126, www.festivalattheedge.org

Fri 21 July

HEREFORD ARTS APPRECIATION SOCIETY

‘Hereford Cathedral’s Story’, a talk by Dr. Joy Roderick. Office Q, Kindle Centre, Hereford, 2.30pm, 01432 357552.

Wed 26 July

SOUTH WEST SHROPSHIRE GARDENING CLUB

A talk by Ingrid Millington, Hillview Hardy Plants. Lydbury North Village Hall, 7.30pm, £5, guests welcome, 01588 661025.

Fri 28 July

FOWNHOPE LOCAL HISTORY GROUP

An illustrated talk on the Herefordshire School of Romanesque Sculpture by architectural historian Tim Bridges. St Mary’s Church, Fownhope, 11am, followed by afternoon visit to Kilpeck Church. £10 including refreshments, advance booking through email janetcjones00@hotmail.com

Tues 1 August

MORTIMER HISTORY SOCIETY

An introductory talk on Powis Castle followed by free flow access to castle rooms prior to the lecture. Powis Castle Ballroom, details, www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk

Workshops & Courses

Sat 13 July NATURE WRITING

Developing skills in writing, crafting and feedback. Using botanical knowledge and observing seasonal change, keeping a personal record through words and pictures. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 10am-11.30am, free, but booking essential, 01743 234970.

Fri 21 - Sun 23 July FESTIVAL AT THE EDGE

Storytelling music, workshops and more (see details under ‘Talks’). Hopton Court, Cleobury Mortimer, Kidderminster, DY14 0EF. Weekend and day tickets available, 07544 044 126, www.festivalattheedge.org

Sat 22 July PBFA BOOK FAIR

Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye, 10am-5pm, free to attend.

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

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.

Third Wednesday of the month BEREAVEMENT CAFE

Old Chapel, Hereford Cathedral, 2.30pm-4pm, run by volunteers, www.herefordcathedral.org

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 www.TheMarketTheatre.com

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.

Visit Ledbury’s purpose built, intimate theatre with comfortable seats, bar and a warm welcome, for a great programme of original drama, music, cinema and live screenings - see listings for what’s on