BROAD SHEEP DECEMBER 2021 / JANUARY 2022

BROAD sheep december 2021 january 2022

What’s On - Herefordshire & The Marches

sheep

BROAD Contents Small Ads

Philosophy Reclamation Art Art workshops Cinema

Dance Food

Music Music workshops Band directory Theatre Word Grass roots Comp therapies

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We take no responsibility for the veracity of the information herein All events listed may be subject to change with regard to Covid regulations.

Clare Edwards The Lodge, Westhide, Hereford, HR1 3RQ Tel: 01432 850444

Born in a Barn

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N the summer of 2017 Owen Rimington persuaded Sheep Music to run a shed building competition on Wente’s Meadow and the resulting sheds were great and made it obvious that there were some very, very clever builders lurking around the pubs of Presteigne.

This gave Owen the confidence to embark on an even bigger, dafter idea - to build, with the help of volunteers a community Dutch Barn. This would provide local community groups with a dry indoor space without them having to resort to spending lots of money on marquees. Backed by the Town Council and Sheep Music they then set about raising the dosh and lo and behold by September 2019 it was time for The Big Barnanza. Dom Pipkin’s New Orleans Band The Ikos inaugurated the new space complete with its permanent stage, lots of handy electric points for sound and light and a highly danceable concrete floor.

The finished object was much more than just a Dutch Barn, given the quality of the build and the endless smart detailing, its sliding doors, clever roof lights and flash weathercock. However it was missing one important feature. Provision had been made for the internal beams that supported the roof to feature some decorative ironwork.

The next bit you know about – we all disappeared into our burrows and watched TV for 2 years. Poor old Sheep Music, which in Feb 2020 was just about to run the best festival ever, went into a decline and the local musicians mothballed their stage gear and commenced trying to work out how to earn any bloody money off YouTube. Meanwhile the barn started to gather its own fan club of socially distanced singers, dancers, Tai Chiers and teenagers looking for a place to have a quiet fag out of the rain.

But things change, time rolls on and people get desperate to go out and socialize. Suddenly its time for fireworks night 2021 and Sheep Music is planning their usual extravaganza with a massive fire, a flashy display of those popping and banging things (I hate fireworks) Email: info@broadsheep.com and of course a live band in the barn. However a week Website: www.broadsheep.com before the big night something was stirring down on the meadow. Owen and his mum, Hilary were spotted trapped on a hydraulic platform high up in the roof of the barn unable to persuade the pesky machine to let them down! But what were they up to? Was this the final piece of the jigsaw?

On bonfire night all was revealed. It’s a story about the town intricately cut out of sheet steel by a laser computer working off Owen’s drawings. It looks fantastic. The two main cross beams show the building of the barn by the aforementioned clever builders and all the fun stuff that happens on Wente’s Meadow including a picture of the finished barn. Then the six panels around the edge take us through the life of Presteigne, at work and at play, via the medium of our friend Nicola Humphries who died in January 2017 and was very much in everyone’s thoughts when the Barn was first discussed. Nicola embodied all that is good about Presteigne. She had her fingers in an awful lot of pies including this magazine, the Hat Shop Restaurant, the Presteigne Players Pantomime, Sheep Music Festival, the Nursery she ran at Carmel Court, her accordion playing, not to mention her passion for theatre, travel, genetics, drinking, horse racing, her dog and poker! I recommend go and see these fabulous artworks for yourself.

I think you will agree they have transformed this humble building into the Sistine Chapel of Dutch Barns.

Cover pic: Suggs: “A Life in the Realm of Madness”. The Courtyard, Hereford - 20 January

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small ads

FOR SALE RALEIGH MOTUS WOMEN’S E-BIKE. Four electric + 10 conventional gears, Bosch motor, electric display, 18 inch seat tube, disc brakes, front suspension, integral lights and lock. Three years old, some minor chips and scuffs. Sold with charger and instructions. £1200 ono.

07799 036539.

CHAIR REPAIRS: seats rushed & recaned.

Paul Richards, 01544 209140.

Email - paulrichardsft@gmail.com GEORGIAN POLYPHONIC SINGING. Native Georgian musician welcomes keen singers to join Georgian polyphonic choir in Presteigne. Contact Mzia 07981 752405, mziag@hotmail.co.uk PIANO LESSONS IN PRESTEIGNE. All ABRSM grades or simply for fun. Contact Mzia 07981752405, mziag@hotmail.co.uk EXPERIENCED LIFE-MODEL AVAILABLE for figure drawing and portraits. Contact David 07495 947916.

RETIRED PROFESSIONAL PAINTER AVAILABLE for local work. References available. £75.00 per day.

Try me. Roy 01547 520164.

WYNNES OF DINMORE COUNTRYSTORE Tea room, Poultry, Pygmy Goats, Supplies & Housing. Tuesday Saturday 9am-4.30pm. Wynnes.co.uk 01568 797314.

BEEKEEPING COURSES FOR BEGINNERS Interested in keeping bees in 2021? Our weekend ‘Bee Ready’ course will prepare you with essential information and allow you to develop confidence before you get your own hive of bees. For further details phone 01886 884752/07813 276308 or email woodruffbank@btinternet.com.

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

www.TheMarketTheatre.com 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

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PIANO TUNER AND TECHNICIAN Based in Llanidloes, serving Mid-Wales. Contact Matt 01686 412753 or 07843 440789 or email vicky@mousematt.net 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 FRUIT TREE PRUNING From one branch to an entire orchard. Tel: 01544 260656.

CATERING CROCKERY, CUTLERY AND GLASSWARE FOR HIRE. Up to 100 settings.

Contact Ruth on 01544 350559 or 07870 752325.

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 Katy 01547 520328.

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 AND HARP LESSONS Beginner to advanced. All ages taught by a Royal Academy of Music graduate. Email nickyviola24@gmail.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.

VIOLIN & VIOLA LESSONS given by experienced professional in Presteigne. All abilities and styles taught.

John Hymas 07969 440183.

A STITCH IN TIME Careful repairs & creative alterations to well-loved clothes. Vintage a speciality.

Anne 01544 267997.

PRESTEIGNE POP CHOIR Every Thursday.

Contact John Hymas for details: 07969 440183, john@johnhymas.com

HAYSTACKS MUSIC, Backfold, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5EQ. Tel: 07527 298199. Hay’s Headline Making Independent Music Shop - only a one minute walk from the main car park. Hay’s destination shop packed with pre-loved machine cleaned and new vinyl records, CDs, Books and more.

GARAGE/WORKSHOP WANTED Imminent loss of current premises means I urgently need to rent (or buy) secure, dry accommodation with electricity for a classic car, a motorbike and workshop/storage equipment, ideally within walking distance of Presteigne town centre but anything considered. Please call Mark Williams on 01544 260889.

philosophy

Ding Dong Merrily...

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DMIT it. What are the chances of meeting a Patron Saint, especially one with attitude? Pretty slim, wouldn’t you say? Yet there he was, large as life.

By the way, we’re not talking marble effigies displayed in some vast cathedral. No, this particular avatar of the Patron Saint of Children [aka Santa] was real enough and there he sat, getting to grips with a full-English in a local greasy-spoon establishment.

The Very Spirit of Christmas, or so you might be tempted to think, but, if truth be told, there was precious little evidence of this from the conversation that followed, as I quickly discovered on joining him.

What emerged, initially at least, was a picture of a curmudgeonly old codger, disillusioned and sad, caught on a very bad day. As P.G. Wodehouse [almost] said, there’s no difficulty at all in distinguishing a little ray of sunshine from a Santa bearing a grudge.

I ventured a Happy Christmas. ‘Might be for you, pal,’ he snarled back. When I suggested that seeing Santa off-duty, so to speak, might throw any passing infants into a state of shock, he just scowled - ‘Good! Serve the varmints right.’ If ever there was a man in the wrong job, this was that very man. ‘Know what one of ‘em did? You can bet his mother put ‘im up to it - looked the type - he only went and defaced my SANTA’S GROTTO sign, so it reads SANTA’S GROTTY - little hooligan.’ Three cheers to the child, I say.

However, as he talked it became clear that any hostility towards the world in general and children in particular ironically, his clientele - was fuelled by sadness, in turn springing from an intense aversion to greed. Little by little his mood mellowed. He began to explain things and as he did I started to warm to the man. Raised in a large family where money had been short, he’d known crippling poverty as a child, with father out of work once the pit closed and mother charring to make ends meet. And yet, every Christmas, there WERE presents - perhaps an apple, some sweets, or maybe a pair of hand-me-down shoes. Modest, but enough.

He regarded greed as Public Enemy Number One, the cause, in his view, of many of society’s ills. ‘Folk are never satisfied, always wanting more. Bigger, better, flashier.’ And for him, nothing proved the point more blatantly than Christmas, typified by the constant stream of the ‘greedy little tykes’ who visited his grotto.

You’re probably reading this article - assuming you’re bothering to read it all - in December, in Broad Sheep’s Christmas edition. But I began thinking about it long ago, in August, because it was in early August that a local shop was already sporting its window display of Christmas cards.

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So, what is Christmas all about? What on earth should we make of it?

For some, it’s music that signals the arrival of Christmas, namely, the Festival of Carols from King’s College, Cambridge. The music, the architecture, the vestments, the readings - all sublime. Christmas has begun. You can almost smell the sprouts cooking. At the other extreme, there’s your non-stop, 24-hours-a-day, meaningless Ding Dong Merrily in the supermarket and on the television. Thus the tantalizing question emerges: is it all just a matter of taste? No right and wrong. No better or worse. A little of what you fancy does you good. Jingle Bells, or Bach’s Christmas Oratorio? Gloria in Excelsis Deo, or just Glorying in the Excesses of the Day? Whatever. Who cares anyway?

But maybe - maybe - we dilute the ‘meaning’ of Christmas, whatever that is, by indulging in rampant greed, only to discover as a result that more really does become less - e.g. starting Christmas in August, followed by too much of everything: cards, presents, visitors, travelling, food, alcohol, expense. The result?

- too much stress. Which, presumably, is why so many people declare their dislike of the whole Christmas palaver when, in fact, isn’t it partly, or even entirely, of their own making?

[Mind you, I draw the line at a comment made by a student who claimed to relish the party atmosphere and bacchanalia of Christmas but objected to any attempt to ‘spoil’ things by dragging religion into it.]

Without doubt, Christmas raises problems complex enough to keep the philosopher [not to mention the theologian and the economist] in gainful employment for years to come: questions about the concept to ‘taste’, the corrosive impact of greed [banks and supermarkets giving masterclasses], the addictiveness of possessions, and also which habits tend to make for, or militate against, a balanced and contented life. Perhaps most important of all is the elusive notion of simplicity. Less is... more?

Oh yes - Happy Christmas.

Philosopher-in-Residence

reclamation

Valuable Rubbish H

OW old is architectural salvage? Almost as old as time itself, if one credits countless cultures for having the good sense to ‘recycle’ unwanted building elements.

Perhaps the most prized example of all could be said to be 13th century bronze horses of St Mark’s in Venice, plundered from Constantinople, then briefly moved in 1797 by Napoleon to decorate the Arc de Triomphe.

The British epicentre of architectural salvage?

Unquestionably Portmeirion, the creation of architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (CWE) and the setting of the 1967 TV sci-fi thriller The Prisoner. This romantic North Wales hill village, inspired by Portofino on the Italian Riviera, abounds with salvaged items: terraces, colonnades, church spires and a belvedere. Pride of place are the Portmeirion Town Hall function rooms, completed in 1938 and listed Grade 1. The building is an ingenious amalgam of salvaged items, crowned by a Jacobean vaulted plasterwork ceiling, depicting the Labours of Hercules, once the centrepiece of the Great Chamber at Emral Hall in Flintshire, which CWE bought at auction for £13.

Building from new is one of the most wasteful carbon-consuming activities on the planet, accounting for around 10 per cent of our carbon emissions. Last year’s Pritzker Prize winners Lacaton and Vassal’s mantra is: ‘Never demolish, never remove or replace’. According to a 2012 DEFRA study around 47 million tonnes of construction waste is created each year, with almost three-quarters of this simply finishing up as aggregate.

There was precious little space devoted to the concept of ‘greener buildings’ before the COP26 climate change summit, save for Prince Charle’s shrewd announcement of his plans to build a carbon-neutral village at Faversham in Kent.

The London Architectural Salvage Company (LASSCO) is generally credited with pioneering the concept of the reuse of old building materials and crafted components, when it set up shop in a redundant Spitalfields church in 1979, succeeding Hutton & Rostron’s short-lived Salvage Index. LASSCO now has four depots. One of the salvage movement’s early cheerleaders was the architectural journalist Dan Cruikshank (he first used the phrase in the Architects Journal in the 1970s). Slightly later onto the scene came Retrouvius Reclamation, based in north London’s Kensal Green, and now enjoying a healthy £1.5m annual turnover. Founder Adam Hills shrewdly keeps in touch with the leading conservation bodies who will often flag up an imminent demolition.

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One Modern Movement public building in the capital currently at risk is Richmond House, facing the Cenotaph in Whitehall, designed by the architect of Hereford’s Mappa Mundi museum. It seems churlish (to say nothing of the huge CO2 expended) to knock down a building that is only 34 years old. And in the Midlands, despite valiant efforts by Derby Civic Society (DCS), the city’s Assembly Rooms are threatened by the municipal wreckers’ ball.

In its case for the retention of this 44-year-old Brutalist

Epicentre of British Architectural salvage: Portmeirion’s Central Piazza

landmark, DCS estimated that its demolition and replacement will ‘cost’ more than 11,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

According to the trade body SALVO there are about 500 salvage yards in the UK and Ireland, with around 30 dotted across The Marches. Most dealers stay well within the accepted salvage parameters – ie the buying and selling of basic reclaimed building materials (bricks, slates, tiles, floorboards) and fittings, though at the top end of the market you will find highly desirable antique fittings (a chandelier at LASSCO, for example, will easily set you back four figures). Though their yards aren’t as tatty as that of Steptoe & Son, you will find the interior of the average salvage dealer’s premises a far cry from Sotheby’s - though the denizens of these yards are as canny as Harold was.

Herefordshire-based Communion Architects has garnered a well-deserved reputation for its church reordering schemes, St Peter’s Hereford probably being the most impressive. But the transformation of a former barn into Pensons Restaurant on the Netherwood Estate at Tenbury Wells, proved an added challenge, with salvaged materials well to the fore in the conversion: bricks, boards and even an old cattle manger, now a central lighting chandelier in this spacious Michelin-starred restaurant.

Local Marches salvage specialists include English Salvage, at Leominster; Leominster Salvage; Ludlow Salvage; and Warehouse 701, on the Skylon Business Park at Rotherwas. English Salvage claims to hold the UK’s largest stock of reclaimed windows, all of which can be viewed – and even purchased - via its website. If reclaimed garden ornaments and statuary are your bag (some of them big enough to have come from Versailles), then head for the spacious Wellington Home & Gardens Centre on the A49. Smallest of the local salvage dealers is UK Architectural Heritage at Wormelow. Given such a remote location it offers an amazingly eclectic range of salvaged items for sale, ascending to a 4.8m-high Gothic-arched Victorian stained glass window, rescued from a Cheshire church, priced at £68,750. A sum of money like that would have bought you a very comfortable two-up-two-down terraced cottage in Hereford’s Muesli Belt not long ago.

Nick Jones

art POWYS Far Hall, Dolau, near Llandrindod Wells LD1 5TW 01597 851181 4 & 5 Dec Christmas Open Studios.

JULIENNE BRAHAM - paintings.

JASON BRAHAM - pottery.

Refreshments (donations to Crisis at Christmas). Open daily 10am-5pm.

Minerva Arts Centre, High Street, Llanidloes 01686 413467 Until 24 Dec Llanidloes Christmas Craft Fair. Pottery, wood, art, fine art, clothing, accessories, photographs, jewellery, glass art, toys, decor, pyrography, fabric, knitwear and more.

Open Mon - Sat 10.30am-4.30pm.

10am-4.30pm.

Alex Allpress Ceramic Studio & Pottery School, Church St, Builth Wells LD2 3AP 07443 875016 www.alexallpress.co.uk Until 5 Dec ‘Shades of Clay’.

Christmas exhibition of art, pottery, handmade ceramics. Open 9am-5pm daily, parking onsite.

Schwetz Gallery, 2 Hereford St, Presteigne LD8 2AW 07808 721054 www.schetzphotography.co.uk Dec & Jan ‘Elements of Dutch’.

Photography exhibition.

Radnorshire Museum, Temple St, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5DL 01597 824513 Dec & Jan Search Radnorshire Museum Facebook page for up-to-date exhibitions, workshops and events.

Open Tues-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat 10am-1pm.

The School House Gallery, The Bleddfa Centre, near Knighton, LD7 1PA 01547 550377 4 & 5 Dec Winter Christmas Market ARTISAN EVENTS WALES. Open Thurs - Sun, 11am-4pm.

Closed for Christmas from 19 Dec. The Table, 43 Lion St, Hay-on-Wye 01497 822802 www.thetablehay.com Until 18 Dec KAREN BIRKIN.Open Thurs-Sat 10am-3pm. Closed Jan. Court Cupboard Gallery, New Court Farm, Llantillio Pertholey, Abergavenny NP7 8AU 01873 852011 Dec ROSIE FAREY & MANDY COATS - baskets. SUSAN GALLAGHER paintings. Open daily 11am-4pm.

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Art by Osian (Celf gan Osian), 3 Short Bridge St, Llanidloes SY18 6AD 07484 763507 www.osiangwent.com Open all year ‘Art by Osian’.

OSIAN GWENT. A working studio and gallery of contemporary, modern and expressive art by Welsh artist.

Open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm.

Tower House Gallery, 29 High St, Knighton LD7 1AT 01547 529530 Gallery, shop, cafe. Tues-Sat 10am-4.30pm.

Mid Wales Arts Centre, Caersws, Near Newtown 01686 688369 Until 19 Dec ‘Made in Caersws’.

Ceramic exhibition.

Until 19 Dec Affordable Art Christmas exhibition. Thurs-Sun, 11am-4pm.

The Hay Makers, St John’s Place, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5BN 01497 820556 Until Jan Christmas exhibition.

CAROLE MORETON & SARAH PACKINGTON - jewellery.

SHELAGH POPHAM - paintings.

PAULINE ZELINSKI - ceramics.

Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm.

Courtyard Antiques, London House, High St, Presteigne, LD8 2BA 07974 356128 outside normal hours.

Antique pottery, country furniture and art. Mon-Sat 10am-4pm.

Erwood Station Gallery, Llandeilo Graban, Builth Wells, LD2 3SJ 01982 560674 A constantly changing mix of materials and styles occupying over 2000 square feet. Complimented by paintings and sculpture, plus seasonal exhibitions.

Open 10.30am-4.30pm.

Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown 01686 625041 Until 24 Dec ‘Blanket Coverage’.

STEVE ATTWOOD WRIGHT. Plus Wales’ leading textile artists pushing the boundaries of traditional hand weaving.

A range of contemporary woven textiles will be availbe in the shop and online.

Open Tues-Sun 11am-5pm.

Knighton Fine Art, 2 Broad Street, Knighton 01547 528052 www.knightonfineart.co.uk knightonfineart@btinternet.com Dec Sesonal art, painted birds, nativity sets, illuminated decorations, woodcraft, Christmas card packs and calendars plus a plethora of Christmas gifts.Open usual hours until 1pm Christmas Eve. Jan Picture Sale. Paintings from £20-£50 plus reductions on some larger 20th century works. Closed until 12 Jan. Wed-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm.

Lion Street Gallery, 6 Lion St, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AA 01497 822900 Showcasing some of the very best artists from Wales and the Borders.

Open 10.30am-5pm daily except Tues, Sun 11.30am-4pm.

Found Gallery, 1 Bulwark, Brecon LD3 7LB 07736 062849 www.foundgallery.co.uk Until 23 Dec Christmas exhibition.

PETER CRONIN - artist. DAVID EVELEIGH - artist. ZOE MATIAS photographs. JULIA WAGER sculpture. ANNA STICKLAND baskets. NEIL SAUNDERS - stone carving. RICHARD STUDER - prints.

ALICE KEELER - jewellery. KIM COLEBROOK & THOMASIN TOOHIE - ceramics. YVETTE BROWN - pewter on driftwood. Tues-Sat 10am-4.30pm.

Closed January, reopens 22 February.

The Workhouse Studio, Presteigne Industrial Estate 01544 267864 Rare antique carpets and kilims. Plus locally made pottery, art materials, textiles, haberdashery, jewellery, cards and gifts. Cafe. Wed-Sat 10am-4pm.

Museum of Modern Art, Tabernacle, Heol Penrallt, Machynlleth SY20 8AJ 01654 703355 info@moma.machynlleth.org.uk Until 26 Feb Young Welsh Artists.

Until 26 Feb WOODY FOX - willow animal heads.

Until 26 Feb ‘Top Gear’. TECWYN WILLIAMS. Until 26 Feb Tabernacle Collection: ‘The Sea’.

Until 26 Feb ‘Art in the Home: History, Landscape, Language’.

Wed-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm, by appointment only.

Jane Keay, Made in the Marches Gallery, Kington

Jason Braham, Far Hall, Dolau

Maggie Davis, The Priory, Leominster & The Courtyard, Hereford

Julienne Braham, Far Hall, Dolau

Peter Cronin, Found Gallery, Brecon

Doug Eaton, Greenstage Gallery

The Old Surgery, Presteigne 01544 267911 Dec & Jan Pop-Up Gallery.

Contemporary painting + sculpture; international artists; owners’ private collection; unique woven textiles from the islands east of Bali. By appointment only phone or email johnandwawan@yahoo.com Knighton Museum, 1 Broad St, Knighton The Museum is run entirely by volunteers and reflects the social history of the area. The majority of the exhibits have been either donated or lent by local people and reflect the varied history of this border town from the drovers to the flannel weavers; from trade to agriculture. Wed- Sat, 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-4pm.

Rhayader Museum & Gallery, CARAD, East St, Rhayader, LD6 5ER 01597 810561 Dec Outdoor exhibition on local history.

Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-12pm.

Wyeside Theatre, Builth Wells 01982 552555 10 Dec - 27 March ‘Time Out’.

KNIGHTON PAINTING & SKETCHING GROUP. Open theatre times.

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.

HEREFORDSHIRE The Forum, 18 Market Square, Tenbury Wells WR15 8EA 01584 810085 www.georginafranklin.co.uk GEORGINA FRANKLIN jewellery. Individual contemporary design. Commissions undertaken.

Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury 01531 248743 11 Dec Pot & Page Christmas Market.

Local artists selling ceramics, baskets, prints and more. Mulled cider and live music. Open 10am-4pm.

Black & White House Museum, Hereford 01432 260694 20 Dec Celebrate 17th century Christmas. Open 10am-3.30pm, £10 family.

Gallery 54, 54 High St, Ross-on-Wye 01989 567917 Dec & Jan New work from gallery artists plus RACHEL SUDWORTH & ZOE TAYLOR. Thurs-Sat 10am-4pm.

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The Lion Ballroom, Leominster 01568 612277 11 Dec Christmas Market. Crafts, wooden furniture, bowls, pens, jewellery, pottery, sewing items and gifts. Open 9am-4pm, free entry.

Hereford Museum & Art Gallery, Broad St, Hereford 01432 383383 Until 18 Dec ‘The Vanity of Small Differences’. GRAYSON PERRY a series of six large-scale tapestries.

Adults £5, students and under 18s free. Open Tues-Sat 10am-4pm.

Apple Store Gallery, Unit 1, Rockfield Rd, Hereford HR1 2UA 01432 263937 www.applestoregallery.com 4 & 5 Dec ‘Christmas Delights’.

Seasonal offerings from local artists.

19 Jan - 5 Mar Rockfield Arts. Studio artists from Apple Store Gallery and Artsite 3. Open Wed-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat 10am-1pm, h.Art opening 10am-3pm.

Wobage Makers Gallery, Upton Bishop, Ross on Wye HR9 7QP 01989 720495 www.wobage.co.uk Until December HEILA HERRING pottery. ANDREW McGARVA stoneware pots. CLARE McGARVA - stitched textiles. PATIA DAVIS porcelain & earthenware pots. BEN CASSON - furniture. SHEILA CASSON - stoneware & earthenware pots. CLAIR HODGSON - silver.

JEREMY STEWARD - wood-fired salt-glazed pottery. CLYDE HOARE baskets. Open Thurs-Sat 10am-5pm.

Made in the Marches Gallery, 12 Church St, Kington, HR5 3AZ 07531 820195 www.madeinthemarches.com Dec ‘Tinsel Town’ All things bright and beautiful for the festive season; unique gifts, artisan decorations and cards.

Featuring AMANDA ATTFIELD, PAUL BAINES, ROSAMUND BLACK, AMBROSE BURNE, DRUSILLA COLE, BRITTANY DAVIES, GILL DAVIES, SHANNON DONOVAN, JACKIE EDWARDS, REBECCA FINNEY, ROB FOUNTAIN, NANCY FROST, FREYA GAMBLE, LORENZO GAVARINI, TESSA GAVIN, LEWIS GOLDWATER, RICHARD HASTINGS, BARBARA ISLE, ADRIAN JERVIS, JANE KEAY, CELIA KIBBLEWHITE, ANNE LEE, CIARA LEWIS, THERESA MASON, MALCOLM MELLEN, DEE MILLS, CAROL MORETON, GINNETTE NEWMAN, NAOMI OCEAN, JUDE PIPER, SUE POWELL, REBECCA REYNOLDS, LAURA ROWLATT, STEPH SCOTT, JENNIFER SHUTLER, HELEN SMITH, MARY SMITH, ANGELA SOULIER, MARY STEPHENS, JENNI STUART-ANDERSON, KATIE TETLEY, JOHN TETLEY, JOHN WISEMAN. Commissions and vouchers available. Wed–Sat, 11am-4pm. Closed Jan-March.

The Grange, Leominster HR6 8NP 01568 737980 4 & 5 Dec MAGGIE DAVIS - mixed media. Open 10am-4pm.

Weavers Gallery, Church Lane, Ledbury 07881 926661 7 - 18 Dec ‘Designed for Christmas’.

Seven local makers. Open 10am-4pm, closed Sun. Closed Jan. The Courtyard, Hereford 01432 340555 Until 8 Jan HEREFORDSHIRE ARTS AND CRAFT SOCIETY with three briefs to work from, ‘What Makes Me Smile’, ‘Wish You Were Here’ and ‘The Great Outdoors’.

Until 8 Jan MAGGIE DAVIS - mixed media.

14 Jan - 5 Feb ‘Serendipity’. CHRIS CURSONS. Open theatre times.

The Mappa Mundi & Chained Library, Hereford Cathedral, Cathedral Close 01432 374200 Until 31 Dec ‘Lost and Found’. Why have things gone missing from the Cathedral over the years? The latest exhibition follows the story of things lost but later found and of some special things lost but not found... yet!

Admission charges apply.

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm.

Old Chapel Gallery, East St, Pembridge HR6 9HB 01544 388842 www.oldchapelgallery.co.uk Until mid Jan Winter Exhibition.

Featuring new work by SEREN BELL, VICTORIA KEEBLE, TAMSIN ABBOTT and more. An exciting Christmas collection of hand made and contemporary arts and crafts, including textiles, jewellery, lighting, paintings, original prints, ceramics, glass, sculpture, candles and cards.

All year ‘Shadows on the Grass’.

Garden sculpture exhibition. A collection of unique sculpture for your outdoor space in a variety of media including ironwork, carved stone, stone resin, bronze resin, ceramic and stainless steel. Open Wed-Sat 11am-4.30pm, Sun & Mon by appointment.

Greenstage Gallery, Hop Pocket, Bishop’s Frome WR6 5BT 01885 490839 www.greenstagegallery.co.uk Until 24 Dec Christmas exhibition.

ARTHUR PIERCE, ROB RITCHIE, GLENN BADHAM, MAGGIE JONES, BETH RICHARDSON, ROB VAN HOEK, DOUG EATON PIERRE WILLIAMS, STEVE JOHNSTON & CLAIRE GRIFFITHS. Open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm, Sun 10.30am-4pm. Closed Christmas Day until 2 Jan.

Hereford College of Arts, Folly Lane Campus & College Road Campus, Hereford HR1 1EB 01432 273359 1 Dec In-Person HCA Degree Level Open Event for Mature Students, 2pm.

2 Dec HCA MA Open Event, 5pm.

4 Dec Degree Level Open Event, 10am.

6 Dec Foundation Diploma in Art & Design: Porfolio Open Evening, 6pm.

7 Dec Degree Level Open Event, 2pm.

8 Dec College Level Open Evening, 6pm.

13 Dec Virtual Degree Level Open Event, 6pm.

14 Dec Artist Blacksmithing Degree Level Open Event, 10.30am.

5 Jan Degree Level Open Evening, 4pm.

6 Jan Virutal Degree Level Open Event, 6pm.

11 Jan Degree Level Open Event, 2pm.

13 Jan Degree Level Open Event, 10am.

17 Jan Foundation Diploma in Art & Design: Portfolio Open Evening, 6pm.

22 Jan Degree Level Open Event, 10am.

22 Jan College Level Open Event, 10am.

22 Jan Foundation Diploma in Art & Design: Portfolio Open Event, 10am.

25 Jan Artist Blacksmithing Degree Level Open Event, 10.30am.

The Basement, 18 Gloucester Rd, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5BU email gabydevitt@live.com Beautiful handwoven lampshades, fabrics, pottery, willow baskets and glass. Also a range of eclectic lighting.

Open Wed-Sat 9.30am-4pm.

Made in Ross, The Upstairs Gallery, Market House, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5NX 01989 769398 www.madeinross.co.uk Dec & Jan Made in Ross.

A co-operative of local art and craft makers who produce a wide range of beautiful work, for all tastes and budgets. Open daily, 10am-4pm.

Oxenham Art, Broad St, Leominster HR6 8BT 01568 611898 Dec Winter exhibition. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm.

South Chapel, All Saints Church, Hereford 01432 370414 Until 18 Dec Cards for good causes. Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm.

SHROPSHIRE Bishop’s Castle Town Hall 01588 630023 4 Dec Antiques & Flea Market, 9am-4pm.

Until 11 Dec CASTLE ARTISTS - local artists working in a variety of mediums.

18 Dec - 15 Jan TAHIRA PAUL. 8 Jan Antiques & Flea Market, 9am-4pm.

Mon, Tues, Thurs - Sat 10am-4pm.

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Discovery Centre, Craven Arms 01588 676060 Until 3 Jan ‘Tilly Tea Dance’.

MAXINE SMITH - felted and embroidered artwork.

Until 3 Jan TAMSIN BRIDGE miniature watercolours.

Open daily 10am-5pm.

Twenty Twenty Gallery, 4 Quality Square, Ludlow 01584 875363 www.twenty-twenty.co.uk Dec & Jan RICHARD BAWDEN. Tues-Sat 10.30am-4pm.

Ogilvie Vaile Conservation, Unit 9, Lower Buckton Barns, between Leintwardine and Brampton Bryan SY7 0JU 07780 616067 www.ogilvievaile.com Specialising in the conservation and restoration of fine art.

Ragleth Gallery, 1 Sandford Place, Church Stretton SY6 6DY 01694 723225 A contemporary gallery full of original art, inspired by the landscape and wildlife of the Shropshire Hills.

Sculpture, paintings, ceramics, glass, jewellery, prints, photographs, automata and more. Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Closed Wed. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury 01743 234970 3 Dec - 26 Jan ‘Wellbeing Projects Showcase: The Visual Artworks’.

Open 10am-4pm.

The Artists’ Gallery, Ludlow Farm (formerly Ludlow Food Centre), Bromfield, Ludlow SY8 2JR 07974 652866 Dec & Jan Artists include SHELLY PERKINS - wildlife artist. PRISCILLA HANN - bronze sculpture. DANIELLE FLOWERS - contemporary jewellery.

KIM DAVIS - wood turning.

MEGAN EVANS - collagraph prints.

JAN JAY - textile designs and screen prints. PIP JONES - watercolours.

SARAH BILLINGHAM - pottery.

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. www.theartistsgalleryludlow.co.uk Open daily 10am-5pm.

Facebook - The Artists’ Gallery.

Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, The Music Hall, Market Square, Shrewsbury SY1 1LG 01743 258881 Until 12 Dec ‘Gathering Light’.

British Museum Spotlight Loan Exhibition. Open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-4pm.

Assembly Rooms, Mill St, Ludlow www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk www.theartistsgalleryludlow.co.uk 01584 878141 Until 4 Jan The Artists’ Gallery on Tour.

A cooperative of eight local artists.

SHELLY PERKINS - wildlife artist.

PRISCILLA HANN - bronze sculpture.

DANIELLE FLOWERS - contemporary jewellery. KIM DAVIS - wood turning.

MEGAN EVANS - collagraph prints.

JAN JAY - textile designs and screen prints. PIP JONES - watercolours.

SARAH BILLINGHAM - pottery.

See also Ludlow Farm, Bromfield.

Open theatre times.

Brampton Bryan, near Bucknell 4 & 5 Dec Christmas Open Studios in Brampton Bryan. Aardvark Books and Cafe will be open for browsing and refreshments. Open 10am-4pm.

Smithy Studio, Brampton Bryan SY7 0DH 07811 042478 Rustic homewares, fine art and craft.

Local makers. Turned wood, slipware, lavender products, textiles, cards and gifts. Thurs-Sat 11am-4pm.

Art & Craft Workshops Single, dated listings are free.

Ongoing workshops, £40 per year.

ARE YOU AN ARTIST WANTING TO BE PART OF H.ART THIS YEAR? To take part complete the online form @h-art.org.uk/take-part from 7 February. Deadline for entry 9 March. www.h-art.org.uk VILLAGE ART CLUBS Love art? Come and join us! Friendly, local clubs with professional tuition run for three terms per year.

Beginners and experienced painters all welcome. Call Liz on 07938 563716 or see the website for details - www.villageartclubs.co.uk ONLINE ART CLASS Would you like to learn how to paint or improve on the skills you already have? All you need is access to Zoom. Also art tuition and home school art classes for 11-18 year olds.

Stephen Hand, stephen@handdrawnart.co.uk 07786 934880.

Wreath Making Workshops

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 Wed 1 December COPPICING AND WREATH MAKING Collect natural materials for the gardens to decorate wreaths. Bring warm clothes and secateurs. Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, near Ledbury, 10am-3pm, £40 including lunch and refreshments, email info@hellensmanor.com

ALEX ALLPRESS POTTERY SCHOOL - POTTERY WORKSHOPS Church Street, Builth Wells, LD2 3BS, Powys. Courses/workshop throughout the year.

Throwing, Hand building, glazing, kiln firing and much more. Clay and equipment and your own wheel included.

For more details 07443 875016. alexallpressceramics@ gmail.com / alexallpress.co.uk GINN’S CREATIVE WORKSHOPS Discover your creative potential at my workshops covering, Art, Textiles and Sewing Techniques, catering for the experienced and inexperienced. Flexible dates to suit you. 01432 760961.

STONE CARVING WORKSHOPS Monthly in Llangarron HR9 6PH. Glenn Morris, sculptor, leads an informal, friendly group. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience. Full tuition, safety equipment and tools provided. Stone available if required.

Copious refreshments guaranteed. 01989 770776.

Frances@artsinthemarches.co.uk BASKETMAKING USING RUSH Presteigne. Courses available throughout the year covering many techniques. Small groups and all levels taught. All materials and equipment included. For more information see Rushmorebaskets.com or contact Clair at rushmorebaskets@gmail.com 07713 514902.

CREATIVE BREAKS Learn a new skill and explore your creativity with experienced tutors, all based in beautiful countryside with outstanding views and local produce. 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, Rag Rug Making, Sewing, Stained Glass, Stonecarving, Woodblock printing, Drawing, Quilting and Upholstery. For full details visit www.creativebreaks.co.uk Make it yourself take it home - treasure it – or give it with pride!

Wed 8 December MACRAME WORKSHOP Join Jo for an evening of macrame, mince pies and Christmas cocktails. Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 7-9pm, £30, please book, 01531 248743, www.potandpage.co.uk Sat 18 December WREATH MAKING With Rustic and Wild. All materials provided.

Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, 10am-12pm, £35 includes mulled wine and mince pie, 01743 258881.

Sun 30 January YOUNG PEOPLE’S PAINTING WORKSHOP For ages 8-12 years. Abstract artist Kate Freeman will provide an exciting painting experience! Glasbury Village hall, 10.30am-4pm, booking essential, www.glasburyarts. co.uk December CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING Tanith from The Flower Box, Knighton will share hints and tips to make your wreath. 1, 8 & 15 Dec - Knighton Community Centre, 6pm. 7 Dec - Llanfairwaterdine, £40 or £70 for two, www.theflowerboxknighton.co.uk December WORKSHOPS AT THE RODD 2 Dec - Christmas Card printing workshop, 2-4pm.

4 Dec - Festive Willow Star workshop, 11am-1pm, £40, suitable for complete beginners and children (with helpful adult), all materials provided. 4 Dec - Willow Wreath workshop, 2-4pm, with Basket Maker Chloe Benbow, suitable for complete beginners and children, all materials provided, £40. Sidney Nolan Trust, The Rodd, Presteigne, details, www.sidneynolantrust.org or 01544 260149.

December MID WALES ARTS CENTRE Pottery Club runs until 16 Dec and starts again 5 Jan. Family Pottery Session 4 Dec & 15 Jan. Mid Wales Arts Centre, Caersws, Newtown,01686 688369.

www.tents4elements.co.uk

MAGGIE DAVIS

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Mixed Media Artist Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford: 5 Nov - 8 Jan The Grange, Leominster 4 & 5 Dec www.mixedupmaggie.co.uk 07711 778563

Open daily 10am - 5pm.

Refreshments (donations to Crisis at Christmas) Directions: from the A488 (Knighton-Penybont) take the turning to the school, opposite Burgins 4x4 Centre, and follow the pink h.Art signs.

Tel: 01597 851181, Mob: 07908 991702 Email: jason@farhallstudios.co.uk Facebook: Far Hall Studios Website: www.jasonbraham.com

December SHROPSHIRE HILLS 4, 11 & 12 Dec - Breakfast with Santa, 9am-11am, £7.50.

21 Dec - Christmas Crafts. Make an ornament to hang on your tree, a melted snowman and more. For ages 4-11 year olds, 11am-4pm, £4. 28 Dec - Winter Crafts, make a pine cone owl, a winter suncatcher and a snowman joke fortune teller, for 4-11 year olds, 11am-4pm, £4.

31 Dec New Year’s Eve Children’s Celebration. Make a confetti popper, a noise maker and more, for 4-11 year olds, 11am-4pm, £4. Shropshire Hills Discover Centre, Craven Arms, 01588 676060.

December VICKI NORMAN STUDIO 7 - 9 Dec ‘Online Mastering Skies and Clouds’. Erdington VH. 14 Dec - ‘Painting with a Knife’. Westhope College.

15 - 19 Dec - ‘Seeing with Artists Eyes’. Higham Hall.

Details www.vickinormanstudio.com December & January EASTNOR POTTERY INTO TO THE POTTERS WHEEL £40 per person.

Perfect indoor activity for individuals, couples and small groups. 1.5 hr sessions take place on specific dates through December and January. Please check availability and book online. POTTERS WHEEL COURSES 11 December 2021. 8, 9 and 22 & 23 January 2022. £150 day £280 weekend. Spend the day or weekend relaxing and creating pots on the potter’s wheel.

Please book online. Booking essential. www.eastnorpottery.co.uk Email admin@eastnorpottery. co.uk or tel 01531 633886.

CUP CERAMICS WORKSHOPS Offer taster sessions, one day intensive, 10 week ceramics for all courses, one week intensive, 4 week throwing course plus membership Further details www.cupceramics.com Cup Ceramics, Unit 10 Foley Trading Estate, Hereford, HR1 2SF, 07855 868771.

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December THE HIVE WORKSHOPS 4, 11, 18 & 19 Dec - Christmas Craft Workshops for ages 5+, 12.30pm, from £5. Every Tues - Life Drawing for all ages, 7-9pm. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 01743 234970.

Tuesdays DRINK AND DRAW Weekly life drawing class. Bring your own materials, just turn up. Upstairs in De Koffie Pot, Bridge St, Hereford, 7-9.30pm, £8, 01432 357753.

Wednesdays INFORMAL ART GROUP All welcome, help given if required. The Old School Community Hub, New Radnor, 2-4pm, 01544 350242.

Thursdays HEREFORD LIFE DRAWING The Courtyard, Hereford, 10am-1pm, £7.50, 01432 340555.

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at the “Old Surgery” LD8 2BP DECEMBER AND JANUARY *Contemporary painting + sculpture; international artists; owners’ private collection; unique woven textiles from the islands east of Bali.

*For viewing call JOHN/WAWAN 01544 267911 or email johnandwawan@yahoo.com

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

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Specialising in the conservationrestoration of works of art on paper and archive material.

Unit 9, Lower Buckton Barns, between Leintwardine and Brampton Bryan, SY7 0JU.

Please call or email Louise Vaile for appointments and further information.

T: 07780 616067 E: info@ogilvievaile.com W: ogilvievaile.com

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cinema 19 - 22 Dec NO TIME TO DIE (12A) 23 Dec THE MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL (U) The Courtyard Theatre, Edgar St, Hereford 01432 340555

DUNE (12A)

Of the many attempts to translate Frank Herbert’s sprawling sci-fi novel into film, Denis Villeneuve’s can claim the most success. David Lynch’s baffling 1984 version tried too hard to convey Herbert’s intricately woven tale of intersteller worlds at war and Villeneuve wisely condenses the mythological history into a relatively simple narrative that finds his supernaturally gifted young hero, Paul Atreides (swoon-worthy Timothée Chalamet, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME) as scion of the House of Harkonnnen warring with the Fremen civilization who control the valuable, hallucinogenic spice mined in their deserts. That said, the flashback-laden storyline can confuse but that’s hugely offset by the visual power that Villeneuve’s invests in DUNE, building as it does on his BLADE RUNNER 2049. An all-star cast including Josh Brolin, Oscar Isaac, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson and a barely recognisable Charlotte Rampling add to the drama.

All reviews by Mark Williams

ASSEMBLY ROOMS, LUDLOW 1 & 2 Dec THE POWER OF THE DOG (R) 2 Dec BALLOON (QIQIU) (12) 3, 6 & 7 Dec DUNE (12A) 7 & 9 Dec DRIVE MY CAR (15) 10, 13 & 14 Dec SPENCER (12A) 14 - 16 Dec MOTHERING SUNDAY (15) 17, 20, 21 & 23 Dec BELFAST (PG) 21 & 22 Dec BOSS BABY 2 (PG) 22 & 23 Dec PETITE MAMAN (ctbc) 24 Dec IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (U) 27 & 28 Dec HOUSE OF GUCCI (R) 27 & 30 Dec GHOSTBUSTERS AFTERLIFE (PG) 28 & 29 Dec RON’S GONE WRONG (PG) 29 & 30 Dec KING RICHARD (PG) 31 Dec, 3 & 4 Jan ENCANTO (PG) 31 Dec, 3 - 6 Jan WEST SIDE STORY (PG) Assembly Rooms, Mill St, Ludlow, www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk 01584 878141

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BRECON FILM SOCIETY 10 Jan THE TOLL 7 Feb IDA Doors open 7.15pm for 7.30pm start.

Brecon Coliseum Cinema, Wheat St, Brecon. Membership enquiries 01874 623166

CONQUEST, BROMYARD 3 Dec OFF THE RAILS (15) 17 Dec SUMMERLAND (12) 7 Jan OFFICIAL SECRETS (15) 21 Jan THE ENGLISMAN WHO WENT UP A HILL BUT CAME DOWN A MOUNTAIN (PG) Conquest Theatre, Tenbury Rd, Bromyard. Details 01885 488575

COURTYARD, HEREFORD 1 - 8 Dec PETITE MAMAN (U) 3 - 9 Dec KING RICHARD (ctbc) 5 & 12 Dec DEAR EVAN HANSEN (12A) 12 & 13 Dec CRY MACHO (12A) 13 Dec MYSTERY FILM SCREENING (15) 20 - 23 Dec MOTHERING SUNDAY (15)

2 Dec CHICAGO (12A) Lindridge Parish Hall 01584 881615 2 Dec KNIVES OUT (12A) Brilley VH 01544 327227 2 Dec MILITARY WIVES (12A) Bagley Sports & Social Club 07776 378622 3 Dec JUDY (12A) Fownhope New Memorial Hall 01432 860717 3 Dec BALLOON (2018) (12) Knighton Community Centre 01547 520602 3 Dec OFF THE RAILS (15) Conquest Theatre, Bromyard 01885 488575 4 Dec THE PROPOSAL (12) Little Witley VH 01886 888122 4 Dec BLINDED BY THE LIGHT (12A) Bettws-y-Crwyn Parish Hall 01588 640233 4 Dec HOME ALONE (PG) The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury 01743 234970 4 Dec A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2020) (PG) Claverley VH 01746 710528 5 Dec LA GRANDE VADROUILLE (PG) Malvern Cinema 01684 892277 5 Dec KNIVES OUT (12A) Colwall VH 07891 668124 6 Dec LITTLE WOMEN (2019) (U) The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock 01952 728911 6 Dec THE POLAR EXPRESS (U) Welshpool Assembly Room 01938 552043 6 Dec MINARI (12) The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury 01743 234970 7 Dec SINK OR SWIM (15) All Stretton VH 07812 583113 7 Dec THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD (PG) Lydbury North VH 01588 680302 7 Dec LITTLE WOMEN (2019) (U) Much Birch Community Hall 01981 540097 8 Dec LOVE SARAH (12) Lea VH 01989 750679

8 Dec AMMONITE (15) Hope Bowdler VH 01694 723648 9 Dec THE KEEPER (15) Gorsley VH 01989 750649 10 Dec THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON (12A) All Stretton VH 07812 583113 10 Dec KNIVES OUT (12A) Little Dewchurch VH 01432 840333 10 Dec LITTLE WOMEN (2019) (U) Colwall VH 07891 668124 10 Dec LOVE SARAH (12) Clungunford VH 01588 660159 10 Dec DOLITTLE (PG) Bodenham Parish Hall 01568 797932 10 Dec THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD (PG) Bedstone & Hopton Castle VH 01547 530282 10 Dec WEST SIDE STORY (PG) Leintwardine Community Centre 07572 442903 10 Dec IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (U) Great Witley VH 01299 896412 10 Dec THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS (PG) Marton VH 01743 792790 10 Dec TINA (15) Staunton-on-Wye VH 01981 501031 10 Dec HOPE GAP (12) Market Theatre, Ledbury 07967 517125 11 Dec THE POLAR EXPRESS (U) The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury 01743 234970 11 Dec LOVE ACTUALLY (15) Bayston Hill Memorial Hall 01743 873940 11 Dec THE GRINCH (2018) (PG) Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms 01588 676060 11 Dec THE LAST BUS (12A) Cawley Hall, Eye 01568 615836 13 Dec 1917 (15) The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock 01952 728911 14 Dec THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD (PG) Acton Scott VH 01694 781260 14 Dec THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS (PG) Loppington VH 01939 809236 14 Dec A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1984) (U) Ashford Carbonell VH 01584 831574 14 Dec THE FAVOURITE (15) St Mary’s Church Hall, Ross on Wye 01989 568705 16 Dec A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD (PG) Kinnerley Parish Hall 01691 683619 16 Dec KNIVES OUT (12A) Norbury VH 01588 650302 17 Dec THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD (PG) Stoke Prior VH 07850 030821 17 Dec SUMMERLAND (12) Conquest Theatre, Bromyard 01885 488575 17 Dec FIRST COW (12A) Bosbury Parish Hall 01531 640333

KING RICHARD (PG)

It’s a familiar story: obsessive parent relentlessly drives talented offspring to sporting success incurring emotional damage to both parties along the way, however noted t.v. director Renaldo Marcus Green’s bio-pic of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams and their coach father, Richard, is far more nuanced than that. From the run-down ghetto that was Compton, California, Will Smith’s Richard raised not two but five girls and impelled by his own setbacks recognises the talents of first Serena (Demi Singleton) and then Venus (Saniyya Sidney, HIDDEN FIGURES) and sets about motivating them to become the all-conquering players they are. In this he’s assisted by a savvy if hard-nosed coach Rick Macci (John Bernthal, BABY DRIVER) and the girls’ mother (Anjanue Ellis) but ultimately in a performance that’s already drawing Oscar whispers it’s Smith’s Richard who proves pivotal to their success and the rounding of his protégées characters.

17 Dec THE BOY FRIEND (U) Knighton Community Centre 01547 520602 18 Dec TOM AND JERRY THE MOVIE (PG) Grimely Peace Hall, Sinton Green 01905 641572 18 Dec MAYA AND THE BEE 3 - THE GOLD ORB (U) Lydbury North VH 01588 680302 18 Dec THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965) (U) Everest Hall, Llanfair Waterdine 01547 528842 18 Dec FROZEN SING-A-LONG (PG) The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury 01743 234970 18 Dec A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2009) (PG) Waverton VH 01244 336055 18 Dec THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD (PG) Lady Emily Hall, Tarrington 01432 890720 18 Dec THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD (PG) Grimley Peace Hall, Sinton Green 01905 641572 18 Dec THE GOOD LIAR (15) Lindridge Parish Hall 01584 881615 18 Dec LITTLE WOMEN (2019) (U) Bicton VH 01743 850495 19 Dec THE MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL (U) The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury 01743 234970

19 Dec THE POLAR EXPRESS (U) Knighton Community Centre 01547 520602 21 Dec A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1999) (PG) SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle 01588 630321 28 Dec THE MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL (U) Castlemorton Parish Hall 01531 631503 29 Dec THE GREATEST SHOWMAN SING-A-LONG (PG) Lindridge Parish Hall 01584 881615 2 Jan TOM AND JERRY THE MOVIE (PG) Little Dewchurch VH 01432 840333 5 Jan BLINDED BY THE LIGHT (12A) Cardington VH 01694 771295 6 Jan THE LAST BUS (12A) Lindridge Parish Hall 01584 881615 7 Jan THE LAST BUS (12A) Staunton-on-Wye VH 01981 501031 7 Jan OFFICIAL SECRETS (15) Conquest Theatre, Bromyard 01588 488575 8 Jan ROCKETMAN (15) Bayston Hill Memorial Hall 01743 873940 10 Jan LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (15) Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge Community Centre 01952 433297 13 Jan THE COURIER (12A) Bagley Sports & Social Club 07776 378622

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MKT. THEATRE, LEDBURY

HOUSE OF GUCCI (R)

10 Dec HOPE GAP (PG) Market Theatre, Market St, Ledbury 07967 517125

OLD MKT. HALL, SHREWS. 1 & 2 Dec SPENCER (PG) 3 - 8 Dec THE LAST DUEL (18) 3 - 5 Dec QUANT (12A) 5 Dec REBEL DYKES (15) 6 - 9 Dec ROMANTIC ROAD (12A) 10 - 16 Dec HOUSE OF GUCCI (12A) 18 - 24 Dec A CHRISTMAS CAROL (U) Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, 01743 281281

PRESTEIGNE SCREEN

Fashionistas, if such there be amongst Broad Sheep readers, won’t be disappointed by the camp extravagance of Ridley Scott’s take on the true story of Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an ambitious socialite of humble beginnings who marries the heir (Adam Driver) to the stinko-rich Gucci family, her unbridled ambition then gradually undoing the family legacy, triggering a reckless spiral of betrayal, revenge, wilful decadence and ultimately serving 18 years in jail for hiring a hitman to murder him after their messy divorce. With ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD which chronicled dramatic shenanigans within the über-rich Getty empire, Scott has form here and exercises it with relish but Gaga’s immersive performance and a stellar cast that includes Jeremy Irons and especially Al Pacino, with ex-model Mãdãlina Ghenea (YOUTH) faithfully replicating Sophia Loren, all add to the high-rolling fun and vicious games.

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13 Jan NO TIME TO DIE (TBC) (12A) SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle 01588 630321 14 Jan DREAM HORSE (PG) Stoke Prior VH 07850 030821 14 Jan LITTLE WOMEN (2019) (U) Bodenham Parish Hall 01568 797932 15 Jan 1917 (15) Lindridge Parish Hall 01584 881615 15 Jan SUMMERLAND (12) Upton upon Severn Memorial Hall 01684 592273 16 Jan L’HOMME DU TRAIN (12) The Coach House Theatre, Malvern 01684 892277 18 Jan THE LAST BUS (12A) SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle 01588 630321 20 Jan THE PERFECT CANDIDATE (PG) Pudleston VH 01568 750292 21 Jan BRASSED OFF (15) Marton VH 01743 792790 21 Jan THE ENGLISHMAN WHO WENT UP A HILL BUT CAME DOWN A MOUNTAIN (PG) Conquest Theatre, Bromyard 01885 488575 21 Jan THE LAST BUS (12A) Shifnal VH 01952 462787 21 Jan AMMONITE (15) Clungunford VH 01588 660159 24 Jan SELMA (12A) Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge Community Centre 01952 433297

25 Jan DENIAL (12) Loppington VH 01939 809236 27 Jan MILITARY WIVES (12A) Grimley Peach Hall, Sinton Green 01905 641572

THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK

6 Dec LITTLE WOMEN (U) 13 Dec 1917 (15) The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock 01952 728911

THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 3 Dec TRANSIT (12) Shrewsbury Film Society 4 Dec HOME ALONE (PG) 6 Dec MINARI (12A) 11 Dec THE POLAR EXPRESS (U) 18 Dec FROZEN SING-A-LONG (PG) 19 Dec THE MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL (U) 7 Jan THE CHAMBERMAID (15) 21 Jan HONEYLAND (12) The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, 01743 234970

THE LOFT, HEREFORD 12 Dec FROZEN (PG) 24 Dec DIE HARD (18) The Loft, 18a West St, Hereford HR4 0BX 01432 507460 M

3 Dec THE SOUND OF METAL (15) 5 Dec SMALL FILMS, BIG SCREEN An evening of lockdown music videos

by Pete Mustill and Dave Luke. Made for YouTube, but shown here in their full glory; with decent sound and bar! £5, from The Workhouse, cash only 17 Dec DEERSKIN (15) 7 Jan FILM TO BE CONFIRMED 21 Jan FILM TO BE CONFIRMED www.presteignescreen.org.uk Assembly Rooms, Presteigne, doors open 7.30pm, 8pm start.

01544 370202, 01544 260577

SAVOY, MONMOUTH 1 & 2 Dec THE FRENCH DISPATCH (15) 4 Dec CONNI AND THE CAT (U) 7 Dec KNIVES OUT (12A) Savoy Theatre, Church St, Monmouth 01600 772467

SPARC, BISHOP’S CASTLE 21 Dec A CHRISTMAS CAROL (PG) 13 Jan NO TIME TO DIE (12A) 18 Jan THE LAST BUS (12A) SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, 01588 630321

WYESIDE, BUILTH WELLS Until 4 Dec RON’S GONE WRONG (PG) Until 5 Dec THE BOSS BABY 2: FAMILY BUSINESS (PG) 3 - 9 Dec LAST NIGHT IN SOHO (18) 3 - 9 Dec MOTHERING SUNDAY (15) 4 - 11 Dec CBEEBIES THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (ctbc) 10 - 16 Dec HOUSE OF GUCCI (ctbc) 10 - 23 Dec WEST SIDE STORY (ctbc) 17 - 30 Dec SPIDERMAN: NO WAY HOME (ctbc) 24 - 30 Dec ENCANTO (ctbc) 31 Dec - 6 Jan MATRIX RESURRECTIONS (ctbc) 31 Dec - 6 Jan THE KING’S MAN (ctbc) Wyeside, Builth Wells 01982 552555

LIVE EVENTS ON SCREEN 1 Dec ANYTHING GOES On screen. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7pm, 01743 281281.

Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 4pm, 01600 772467.

4 Dec EURYDICE New York Met live. The Courtyard, Hereford, 5.55pm, 01432 340555.

Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 5.55pm, 01885 488575.

4 & 5 Dec CHRISTMAS WITH ANDRE The King of Waltz. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, phone for times, 01743 281281.

9 Dec THE NUTCRACKER ROH. The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, 7pm, 01952 728911.

The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.15pm, 01432 340555. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7.15pm, 01600 718401.

Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, 7.15pm, 01497 822010.

Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7pm, 01885 488575.

11 & 12 Dec CHRISTMAS WITH ANDRE The King of Waltz. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7.30pm & 3pm, 01885 488575.

12 Dec THE NUTCRACKER The Royal Ballet. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, 2pm, 01588 630321.

Market Theatre, Ledbury, 2pm, 07967 517125. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.15pm, 01432 340555.

Wyeside, Builth Wells, 2pm 01982 552555.

15 Dec TOSCA (PUCCINI) Royal Opera House live. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, 7pm, 01588 630321. The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, 7pm, 01952 728911. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7.15pm, 01600 718401. Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, 7.15pm, 01497 822010.

Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7pm, 01885 488575.

19 Dec TOSCA Royal Opera House. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.15pm, 01432 340555.

23 Dec CHRISTMAS WITH ANDRE The King of Waltz. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, 2pm, 01588 630321.

1 Jan CINDERELLA New York Opera. (English translation).

Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 5.55pm, 01885 488575.

19 Jan RAPHAEL REVEALED Exhibition on Screen. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7.30pm, 01885 488575.

23 Jan TOSCA Royal Opera House. Wyeside, Builth Wells, 2pm, 01982 552555.

27 Jan LEOPOLDSTADT National Theatre live. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7pm, 01743 281281.

SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, 7pm, 01588 630321. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7pm, 01885 488575.

28 Jan LEOPOLDSTADT National Theatre live. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7pm, 01600 718401.

29 Jan RIGOLETTO Met Live. The Courtyard, Hereford, 5.55pm, 01432 340555.

WORKSHOPS

Wednesdays FILM MAKING CLUB The Courtyard, Hereford, 5.15pm & 6.45pm, £73 per term, 01432 340555.

6 Jan CINDERELLA Met Llive. (Encore). The Courtyard, Hereford, 5.55pm, 01432 340555.

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dance

Spirit of the Dance

Dance Performance Sat 11 December & Sat 5 February THE SNOW QUEEN BALLET THEATRE UK. Re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale ballet.

11 Dec - Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 3pm, 01600 718401.

5 Feb - Wyeside, Builth Wells, 7.30pm, 01982 552555.

Thurs 16 - Sun 19 December CHRISTMAS TREATS FROM THE NUTCRACKER BRECON FESTIVAL BALLET bring all your favourite excerpts from ‘The Nutcracker’ with a few extra surprises thrown in. Plus see the premiere of Brecon Festival Ballet’s new ballet entitled ‘Plea’. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm, 01874 611622.

December & January LEOMINSTER MORRIS 11 Dec - Leominster Victorian Market.

26 Dec - Boxing Day at The New Inn, Pembridge, 12pm.

6 Jan - The Wassail at The White Swan, Eardisland, 7pm. www.leominstermorris.wordpress.com Wed 26 January SPIRIT OF THE DANCE The blockbuster hit show is Irish in origin and bursting with raw energy; an explosive fusion of heart-pounding Irish Dance combined with dance styles from round the world.

The Courtyard, Hereford, 4pm & 7.30pm, 01432 340555.

Dance Workshops

Single, dated listings are free. Year round entries £40.

ALANYA’S BELLYDANCE CLUB - OPEN LEVEL Bodenham Parish Hall, HR1 3LB. 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month, 1.00-3.30pm. No-obligation taster, then pay per term. For full information visit www.alanyabellydance. com or call Abbie on 07962 161081.

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Starting January LEARN 2 JIVE BEGINNERS CLASSES Mon 3 Jan - Bartestree Village Hall, Hereford, HR1 4BY 7.30-8.30pm. Silvester Horne Institute, Church Stretton, SY6 6BY, 7.30-8.30pm. Tues 4 Jan - Pembridge Village Hall, HR6 9EB, 7.30-8.30pm. Stretton Sugwas Village Hall, HR4 7PT, 7.30-8.30pm. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, SY8 1AZ, 7.30-8.30pm. Wed 5 Jan - Burford Village Hall, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8LA, 7.30-8.30pm. Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Malvern, WR14 4LR, 7.30-8.30pm, Beginners Jive. 8.30-9.30pm, Intermediate Jive. Thurs 6 Jan - Ledbury Dance Studio, Bye Street, HR8 2AA, 7.30-8.30pm.

Abberley Village Hall, WR6 6AZ, 7.30-8.30pm. Sun 9 Jan - Eardisley Village Hall, HR3 6NH, 7.30-8.30pm. For more information please e-mail info@coolmovesdance.co.uk Matt or Sarah on 01989 750354. www.coolmovesdance. co.uk Coolmoves Dance & Fitness for adults.

COURTYARD, HEREFORD CLASSES Tues - Zumba, 1-2pm, £5.50 per session. Fri - Chance to Dance for the over 50s, 10.15am-11.15pm, £5 per session.

Tues - Laura Gale Contemporary Dance, energetic class for beginners and experienced dancers, 8-9pm, £8 drop in or £39 for 6 weeks. Tues - Laura Gale Street Jazz, 7-8pm, £8 drop in, £39 for 6 weeks. Thurs - Silver Swans Adult Ballet for the over 55s, 1.30-2.30pm, £5 per session. Fri - Dancing Tots for ages 2-4 years, 11.30am-12.15pm, £4 per child. The Courtyard, Hereford, 01432 340555.

Fortnightly Saturdays CHORUS LINE Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 07943 417561.

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 Paul 01497 821003 or Jed 07549 096291.

Wednesdays CIRCLE DANCING Leominster Community Centre, 2-3.30pm. Kathryn 01568 616411 or 01584 877446.

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.

Thursdays WILD WEST SALSA Left Bank Village, Bridge St, Hereford, 7.45pm, £6, students £5, social dance only £4, 01432 357753.

Fridays CHANCE TO DANCE For the over 50s. The Courtyard, Hereford, 10.15am, £4.50, 01432 340555.

Fridays DANCING TOTS For ages 2-4 years. The Courtyard, Hereford, 11.30am, £4, 01432 340555.

Fortnightly Sunday HIGHFLYERS YOUTH DANCE COMPANY For ages 11-18 with disabilities or additional needs and their siblings. All welcome. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 2-4pm, 01743 234970 or email Rachel youthsidance@gmail.com

The Bleddfa Centre

The Bleddfa Centre, near Knighton, is usually open Fridays – Sundays, 11am – 4pm. You can visit the gallery, craft shop and café, with its pretty garden, and of course keep up to date with any events that may be taking place in Hall Barn.

We close for Christmas at 4pm on Sunday 19th December.

During December we have a wonderful Christmas Market, run by @artisaneventswales, in Hall Barn.

This will take place on Sat 4 & Sun 5th December, 10:30am – 4pm each day, and hosts 14 handpicked stalls of unique handmade, artisan gifts to suit all the family.

Mulled wine will be available in Hall Barn alongside this market, and the café in the Centre will also be open.

Please support local makers and come along to fill your shopping bags, sit and chat to friends, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Please join us as a Friend of Bleddfa for just £50 per year…

We would like to invite as many supporters as possible to join our Friends Of Bleddfa scheme – everyone who subscribes will receive a welcome gift, and other exciting benefits – please do email us to find out more: enquiries@bleddfacentre.org You can also keep up to date with monthly exhibitions and events, via the website: www.bleddfacentre.org, or by signing up to the newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @bleddfacentre (NB: As we are in Wales remember to bring a mask to wear indoors) We will confirm our Winter Closure dates on our website and social media pages soon.

The Bleddfa Centre, LD7 1PA on A488 between Knighton & Penybont 01547 550377 hello@bleddfacentre.org

food page Off Grid Gourmet, Clifford

M

R Pernickety generally craves adventure in whatever he’s doing, or, if adventure is unavailable, at least the unexpected and unpredictable. Last month (you may remember) he and his Lovely Companion intrepidly entered the depths of a Hereford industrial estate to eat in a converted warehouse, where, against his clear expectations, they experienced an unusual and delicious dinner.

This month, like Henry Morton Stanley looking for missing missionary Dr Livingstone in Tanganyika on behalf of the readers of the New York Herald, Mr P set off with a frankly sceptical LC into deep country beyond the head of the Golden Valley east of Hay-on-Wye to find and report on what turned out to be the most obscurely located and bizarrest eating house he has ever visited in Britain. Using his skill in reading and remembering OS maps, he steered the Volvo unerringly along tiny, sinuous lanes, criss-crossing bridges over the sadly defunct Pontrilas to Hay branch line of the GWR. His only confusion lay in finding absolutely no sign of any public eatery on the sharp bend where it should have been. He carried on a little before turning back to find a man waving a torch on the bend. Having agreed that they were looking for Off Grid Gourmet (as their destination was unpoetically named) the greeter aimed them up a track between some old barns to a rudimentary carpark on the edge of a muddy field. He and the LC were guided between a pair of flaming torches around a corner to a long low timber shed. In the dark, they couldn’t appreciate the undoubtedly spectacular views through an orchard, over the ground that sloped away down towards the river, and across the valley to the hills above Rhydspence.

The restaurant, as basic inside as out, had an immediately engaging air, warmed by some hefty cooking apparatus at the far end of the building, furnished without pretension and pleasingly lit with dim bulbs and candles. It housed a pair of long rustic oak tables, end to end, with seating for a dozen people on either side, which fill up as punters arrive. On this evening, there were two couples already there, with just two more places laid beside them for Mr P’s party – a way of seating diners that can present challenges.

Mr P remembers an old-fashioned London gentlemen’s club, the Beefsteak, where traditionally, as they arrived, members were required to sit at the single long shared table next to the last person to have seated himself. If this turned out to be a notorious old bore, later arrivals would linger in the doorway until some other, less savvy member helped himself to the space.

28

This option wasn’t available as Mr P and the LC introduced themselves and sat down, mentally preparing for this un-English way of encountering unknown people. Mr P, who in any case, does like the sound of his own voice, is never sorry to be presented with a new audience. However, he must point out that this arbitrary seating arrangement is not for everyone – the stand-offish, say, the tight-arsed or the over-opinionated.

There is no menu. When booking (and pre-paying £50 a head) guests are asked if they want meat or vegetarian food.

From then on, they are simply served the dinner that the chef has devised and cooked. Mr P and the LC had opted for ‘Meat’ and were happy to be relieved of the hassle of choosing things.

First they were given a bowl of cauliflower and Caerphilly soup, sprinkled with Perl Las cheese – a promising augur.

This was followed by a confit duck, crispy legs and thighs on a base of clove and juniper red cabbage with several accompaniments – all strongly flavoured.

The main course, pork belly smoked with birch and cherry woodchips, was richly roasted and served on a bed of hispi cabbage, with good hard crackling, buttered swedes and dauphinoise potatoes cooked with leeks, along with more highly individual sauces – a cacophony of tastes and textures. The chef had warned beforehand that there would be a lot of food and advised diners to pace themselves. Mr P didn’t heed it as much as he could have done, simply because everything on offer was so tempting. But he wasn’t too full to enjoy a good platter of fine Welsh cheeses and a superb rum sticky toffee pudding and sauce, followed by cardamom chocolates and panforte di sienna. There had been a lot of food – rich, robust, strongly flavoured. The chef told Mr P he had learned his trade cooking in the Swiss Alps for chalet parties of skiers who’d spent long energetic days on the slopes. His style undoubtedly reflected that need for calory recovery.

The LC, no great trencher-peron wisely helped herself to small portions and enjoyed her dinner.

The only slight hitch was that Mr P had, as usual, failed to read the small print that explained that punters should bring their own wine. Luckily, one the new friends that Mr P had made at the table had brough enough wine to keep Mr P and the LC generously lubricated.

They left this place in the depths of West Herefordshire, feeling content, not overfull and delighted at this new find. They look forward to going back next summer to enjoy the view.

Mr Pernickety info@misterpermickety.com

EVENTS

Thurs/Fri througout December PRIVATE CHRISTMAS PARTIES Taking bookings for fully plant based Christmas parties.

2 courses £23 or 3 courses £27. Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 01531 248743, www.potandpage.co.uk December THE ORGASMIC CIDER COMPANY Cider, perry, apple & pear juice, sloe gin, locally produced ales, gins, chutneys, handcrafted Christmas gifts, Christmas trees in various sizes. Ample parking.

Open Wed-Sun. Great Parton, Eardisley, 07773 037448.

December SWAN BREWERY 3 Dec - Tasting day with Winter Swanderland 4.8% in the spotlight and food from Miniyaki’s Japanese Soul Food and Bartestree Cider. Swan Brewery, Leominster, HR6 0LX, 01568 617709.

Sat 4 December FESTIVE FOODS FROM THE BORDER Gastronomic inspiration from the Marches with street entertainment including Whitton Voices, Two Kington Choirs, Geoff Rogers and Bill Laws with Streetsax. Start your festive season in Kington. All organised to meet with Covid regulations. Open 9.30am-3.30pm.

Fri 3 December LATE NIGHT CHRISTMAS PARTY Live music, Christmas cocktails and festive tapas. Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 6.30pm, www.potandpage.co.uk 01531 248743.to book a table Wed 15 December GAME SHOW SUPPER CLUB Veg Life bring the festive game show edition! Team up and join in for an evening of nostalgic game show antics and scrumptious plant based dining. Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 7-10pm, £30, www.potandpage.co.uk 01531 248743.

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 (except August) FARMER’S MARKET Produce, craft, gifts, kitchen cafe open. Eaton Bishop Village Hall, 10am-12pm.

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.

2nd Saturday of every month LEOMINSTER FARMER’S MARKET Corn Square, 9am-1pm, 01568 797427.

Third Saturday of every month PRODUCE MARKET Hightown Community Rooms, Vicarage Rd. Clun, 10.00am - 12.00pm. 01588 641180.

Third Saturday of every month FARMER’S MARKET Bishop’s Castle Town Hall, 9am-1pm, 01588 630023.

First Thursday EVENING FARMER’S MARKET The Barn, Ledbury, HR8 1EA, 6-8pm. www.ledburyfoodgroup.org Every Thursday MONTGOMERY TOWN MARKET Regular stalls on the lower floor. First Thurs of the month, using both floors with community cafe. Open 9am-3pm, www.montgomery-wales.co.uk/market 07790 100462.

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-2.30pm, www.haymarkets.co.uk

Every 2nd & 4th Thursday LUDLOW LOCAL PRODUCE MARKET Castle Square, 9am-2pm, 01584 872043.

Every Friday KINGTON PRODUCE/CRAFTS MARKET Market Hall, Kington, 9am-1pm, 07867 483135.

FOOD BYTES

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 (11am – 4pm every Thurs - Sun).

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 Fully refurbished venue open Wednesday – Saturday evenings offering a fine dining a la carte menu.

Also offering a locally sourced Sunday lunch 12-3pm each week. Call us on 01432803267 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.

PLANTASTIK cic, 15 WEST ST, LEOMINSTER’s new cafe serving plant-based food from supermarket waste produce. Open Fridays and Saturdays 10am-3pm.

Lunches from 11am, cakes, drinks, vegan pastries from Alex Gooch on Fridays. Run by volunteers. plantastik@myphone.coop POT & PAGE, 8 NEW STREET, LEDBURY HR8 2DX 01531 248743 Bookshop, vegan eatery and events.

Family run plant based eatery, serving wholesome home cooked food with an emphasis on fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Open Wed-Sun. RHOS MARKET GARDEN, KNIGHTON 01547 528315 Growers & providers of organic veg, fruit & flowers. Eco cleaning products & refills. Large range of groceries & wholefoods. The Old Garage Shop Knighton LD7 1EN. Wed. - Fri. 9 - 4, Sat. 10 - 2. Free parking.

Thursday morning market stall in Presteigne. Local deliveries of veg. boxes. info@rhosorganic.co.uk www.rhosorganic.co.uk RUTH WATSON RESTAURANTEUR 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 ST. MICHAEL’S HOSPICE COFFEE & BOOKS, UNIT 6-8 STATION YARD, LEOMINSTER, HR6 8TN (near Hintons).

Large range of specialist and fiction books, maps, CDs, DVDs, vinyl and sheet music. Local coffee, light meals, homemade soup, cakes and scones. Open 9am-4pm, free parking.

THE WORKHOUSE CAFE, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, PRESTEIGNE 01544 267864 Cafe, gallery, light lunches, good coffee, homemade cakes.

Wed-Sat 10am - 4pm.

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music

DECEMBER Wed 1 December

Fri 3 December

THE ODD BODS Open mic. Cross Guns, Pant , near Llanymynech, 7.30pm, to book, 07751 420796.

PRIZE BINGO Lucky Squares, raffle, prizes, refreshments. Eyes down 8pm, £12 for a book of 10 games, 6 game programme. In aid of SpArC. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, 01588 630321.

DRAGON BAND The Montgomery Town Hall, Broad St, Montgomery, 8pm, free admission, but £5 donation gratefully received, 07831 383636.

Thurs 2 December LIVE MUSIC The Crown & Anchor, Vaults, Bishop’s Castle.

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

Calan

FRIDAY LIVE Featuring The People Versus. A chamber pop assemblage offering a new spin. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 8pm, £6 in advance, £8 on the door, 01497 821762.

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE Featuring Boogie Williams and his smoking hot Piano performing the hits of Jerry Lee Lewis. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 7.30pm, 01584 811442.

CHRISTMAS NIGHTS Three course meal, cocktail on arrival, photobooth karaoke, DJ, music bingo.

Secret Garden, Coldwells Rd, Hereford, £50pp, 07715 953497, bookings@secretgardenhereford.co.uk

MARK LATIMER & TREV DAVIES TRIO Chequers, Etnam St, Leominster.

ACOUSTIC SESSIONS Monkland Arms, Monkland, near Leominster.

THE WEEKENDERS The Bull Inn, Shrewsbury.

CALAN Welsh folk supergroup. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7.30pm, 01874 611622.

LATE NIGHT CHRISTMAS PARTY Featuring live music from Valencia, Christmas cocktails and festive tapas all evening. Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 6.30pm, 01531 248743 to book a table, www.potandpage.co.uk GREAT BALLS OF FIRE Featuring Boogie Williams performing the hits of Jerry Lee Lewis. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 7.30pm, 01584 811442.

ALAW Three leading musicians bring a wealth of experience and a shared passion, the traditional music of Wales. Bitterley Village Hall, 7.30pm, £12/£6, Arts Alive. www.artsalive.co.uk

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SMALL FILMS, BIG SCREEN An evening of lockdown music videos

by Pete Mustill and Dave Luke. Made for YouTube, but shown here in their full glory; with decent sound and bar!

Presteigne Assembly Rooms, 8pm, £5 from The Workhouse, Presteigne (cash only). A Full Circle event raising funds for Afghanistan.

JAMES HICKMAN The Six Bells, Bishop’s Castle, 4pm, 01588 630144.

WHISKEY RIVER BOYS Forest Folk Club, The Orepool Inn, Sling, Lydney, Forest of Dean, £7 (limited tickets), email forestofdeanfolkclub@gmail.com

Mon 6 December Budapest Cafe Orchestra

Sat 4 December CHRISTMAS NIGHTS Three course meal, cocktail on arrival, photobooth karaoke, DJ, music bingo.

Secret Garden, Coldwells Rd, Hereford, £50pp, 07715 953497, bookings@secretgardenhereford.co.uk BUDAPEST CAFE ORCHESTRA A blistering barrage of traditional folk and gypsy flavoured music from Russia and across the Balkans. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 8pm, £16, students £12, 07967 517125.

BUS PASS Llanerch Inn, Llandrindod Wells, 01597 822234.

EDDY GARTRY’S BIG MAGIC DANCE BAND Priest Weston Arena, SY15 6DE, 7.30pm, £10, 01938 561305.

THE MADHOUSE BAND Classic covers and awesome originals.

The Broadleys Pub, Ross Rd, Hereford, 9pm.

WYNNE EVANS (The GoCompare man!) ‘The Spirit of Christmas’. With, Meole Brace School Choir, Prestfelde School Choir, Meole Brace Chamber Orchestra and members of Shrewsbury Abbey Choir.

Shrewsbury Abbey, 7.30pm, 01743 232236.

ENCORE YOUTH MUSIC Senior ensembles - Herefordshire Youth Concert Band and Herefordshire Youth Orchestra, conducted by Cliff Woollard. Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross, 7.30pm. Tickets on the door £7 (cash only), 01432 853219.

PIGDAZE Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle, 01588 638797.

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GOOD TO GO The Bull Inn, Shrewsbury.

FESTIVE FOODS FROM THE BORDER Gastronomic inspiration from the Marches with street entertainment including Whitton Voices, Two Kington Choirs, Geoff Rogers and Bill Laws with Streetsax. Start your festive season in Kington. All organised to meet with Covid regulations. 9.30am-3.30pm.

TENBURY TOWN BAND Christmas concert. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, 7pm, 01584 811442.

EIRA SNOW A candlelit evening of atmospheric music drawing on Scandinavian, Celtic and middle Eastern influences. The Nave, St Nicholas Church, Grosmont, 7.30pm, £10, 01600 712613.

SLEIGH MY NAME Christmas Karaoke. The Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 7.30pm, £5, 01432 357753.

ALAW See 3 Dec for details. Escleyside Hall, Michaelchurch Escley, 7.30pm, £12, Arts Alive. www.artsalive.co.uk

Sun 5 December OPEN MIC Hosted by Mark Richards. The Castle Inn, Wigmore, 4-7pm. Please pre-book your slot, email markianrichards@ hotmail.com ALAW See 3 Dec for details. Wem Town Hall, 7.30pm, £13/£11, Arts Alive. www.artsalive.co.uk HEREFORD JAZZ Featuring The Sauce City Jazz Band.

Richmond Club, Edgar St, Hereford, 7.30pm, £8, 01432 276304.

BRIMFIELD FOLK CLUB Brimfield Village Hall, 7.30pm, 01584 711480. Please bring your own drinks/glasses.

CIDER CITY JAZZMEN The Barrels, St Owen St, Hereford, 01432 274968.

THE WEST END AT CHRISTMAS Stars from the West End present an evening featuring hits from the musical and the best of Christmas song.

Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7.30pm, 01874 611622.

Tues 7 December OPEN MIC NIGHT YOUNG PERFORMERS The Underground, Bishop’s Castle (side gate Public Hall). No need to book, turn up and play or support a mate. Dry bar, amps/mics/spare guitars available, 6.30pm, free, 01588 630321.

Wed 8 December MAXIMILIANO MARTIN CLARINET TRIO Principal Clarinet of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Playing three major works for clarinet, cello and piano. Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, 7.30pm, 01584 878141.

Thurs 9 December SOLAR MOHICANS The Crown & Anchor, Vaults, Bishop’s Castle.

Fri 10 December HAY MUSIC Featuring Hexad, a six-voice a cappella choir with a seasonal theme, their programme includes music from the 16th century to the present. St Mary’s Church, Hay-on Wye, 7pm, www.haymusic.org THE ALMIGHTY JOHNSONS The Bull Inn, Shrewsbury.

FOLK @ THE FALCON Featuring Magpie Lane’s Christmas Concert with support from One Achord.

(An unplugged event without PA or mikes). Falcon Hotel, Bromyard, 7.30pm, £10, 01885 483425.

TRUCKSTOP HONEYMOON Hollering with all their hearts over a five string banjo and a doghouse bass, Katie and Mike West tell stories about the strangeness of everyday life. Their music combines elements of bluegrass, music hall jazz and straight up rock ‘n’ roll. Presteigne Assembly Rooms, 8pm, £12 from The Workhouse, Presteigne (cash only) and wegottickets.com SONYA SMITH Singer. Original songs and timeless popular covers on acoustic guitar.

The Tilley Raven, Wem, 8.30pm, 01939 236139.

OYSLAND KLEZMER BAND Award-winning group playing Klezmer and East European traditional music.

Silvester Horne Institute, Church Stretton, 7.30pm, £15, 01694 720132.

Arts Alive, www.artsalive.co.uk

Sat 11 December SONYA SMITH Singer. Original songs and timeless popular covers on acoustic guitar.

The Sun Inn, Welshampton, 8.30pm, 01948 710847.

Oysland Klezmer Band SHREWSBURY JAZZ NETWORK Featuring Nigel Price Organ Trio + 1.

Guitarist Nigel Price, Ross Stanley (B3 Hammond organ), Joel Barford (drums) and long-time collaborator Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax). The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, £23, £12 under 22, 01743 234970.

MUSIC IN NEW RADNOR Featuring the Syrinx Ensemble. Light classical music from this professional wind and piano quintet. A Christmas theme, a few surprises and humour for good measure. Community Hall, New Radnor, 7.30pm, £12, under 14s £3, 01544 350268.

WORST KEPT SECRETS The Bull Inn, Shrewsbury.

HEREFORD CHORAL SOCIETY ‘Handel’s Messiah’ by candlelight. Zoe Brookshaw, soprano; Hugh Cutting, alto; Ruairi Bowen, tenor; Gareth Brynmor John, bass; Marches Baroque; Geraint Bowen, conductor. Hereford Cathedral, 7.30pm, tickets from £10, up to 2 children under 16 free, 01432 751175, www.herefordchoralsociety.org/ tickets CREDENHILL OPEN MIC NIGHT Credenhill Sports & Social Club, 7-10.30pm, martinchapple1@gmail.com

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.

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CHRISTMAS FOLK Monkland Arms, Monkland, near Leominster.

Midwinter Revels

INDIGO MACHINE The Bull Inn, Shrewsbury.

THE LUDLOW JAZZ COLLECTIVE Live dinner jazz. Free entry, cocktails, light bites or book a table for dinner.

The Cliffe at Dinham, Ludlow, SY8 2JE, 7-10pm, 01584 872063.

Sat 18 December LEDBURY COMMUNITY BRASS BAND Featuring a mix of carols and other favourites. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 3pm, £8, students £4, 07967 517125.

Sat 11 December PIGDAZE Compasses, Ludlow, 01584 877702.

TWO PUSH CHARLIE Vaga Tavern, Vaga St, Hereford, 8.30pm, 01432 509927.

PHIL COLLINS TRIBUTE Llanerch Inn, Llandrindod Wells, 01597 822234.

ELVIS Gordon Hendricks as Elvis. Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, 8pm, 01584 878141.

Sun 12 December VINCENT FLATTS Richmond Club, Edgar St, Hereford, 3-5pm, free, 01432 270211.

THE WHISKEY RIVER BOYS Martin and Aidan in their legendary duo. The Queen’s Head, Monmouth, 8.30pm, free.

OPEN MIC The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 2pm, 01497 821762.

THE LUDLOW JAZZ COLLECTIVE 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, SY8 2JE, 12.30-3pm, 01584 872063.

Tues 14 December MIDWINTER REVELS A Brief History of Christmas. Green Matthews present their new festival show, featuring carols, winter folk songs, toe-tapping tunes and a plethora of weird and wonderful instruments.

The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.45pm, 01432 340555.

Wed 15 December

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DRAGON BAND The Montgomery Town Hall, Broad St, Montgomery, 8pm, free admission, but £5 donation gratefully received, 07831 383636.

DOORSTEP CAROLS Supported by BBC radio and BBC Sounds. A free, inclusive, charitable event aims to promote the social and psychological benefits of singing together again after the pandemic.

Town Square, hosted by BBC Radio Shropshire, linking with The Market Hall and Shopping Centres hub events and in the streets across Shropshire, 6pm. www.doorstepcarols.co.uk MARCHES CHOIR & BRASS QUARTET Big Christmas Sing! A festive evening of Christmas music and carols with audience participation. St John’s Church, Bishop’s Castle, 7pm, £8, children free, 01588 650315.

Thurs 16 December PHOENIX SINGERS An evening of Christmas music with mulled wine and mince pies. St John the Baptist Church, Whittington, 8pm, £13, under 18s free, 01743 234970, www.phoenixsingershrewsbury.co.uk PIGDAZE The Crown & Anchor, Vaults, Bishop’s Castle.

Fri 17 December OPEN MIC AND BLUES JAM Hosted by Mark Richard. The Rose and Crown, Ludlow, 8pm. Please prebook your slot, email markianrichards@ hotmail.com ASAP Llanerch Inn, Llandrindod Wells, 01597 822234.

CHURCHFITTERS A folk band like no other. Bass guitars made out of frying pans, heart-wrenching vocals accompanied by a musical saw. Foot-stomping fast fiddle mixed with infectious funk-rock banjo and traditional melodies reinvigorated with mesmerising rock rhythms. Town Hall, Bishop’s Castle, 01588 630023, www.bishopscastletownhall.co.uk

LIVE MUSIC Featuring The Asteroids; Fizzy punk rock from the pioneers of Nu Wave.

The Bad Dogs; Garage rock ‘n’ roll from grown ups who should know better.

Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle, 8.30pm, £5 on the door.

TINA TURNER TRIBUTE Llanerch Inn, Llandrindod Wells, 01597 822234.

WHISKEY RIVER The rockin’ electric 5-piece featuring Ted Bunting on saxophone. All the best Zydeco, Cajun, Blues and Country rock ‘n’ roll. Ludlow Blues Club at Ludlow Brewery, 8pm, 01584 873291.

OCG DUO Classic rock covers. The Fish & Anchor Inn, Offenham, Evesham, 8.30pm.

JEB LOY NICHOLS & CLOVIS PHILLIPS Local musicians. With mince pies, mulled wine and your last chance to see the Christmas exhibitions. Mid Wales Arts Centre, Caersws, 7pm, 01686 688369.

A CHRISTMAS CHARIVARI Open the windows of our Christmas Calendar and be surprised! Be prepared to participate in a gallimauphry of Christmassy titbits.

Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7.30pm, 01885 488575.

HOT ROD 55 The Bull Inn, Shrewsbury.

CHRISTMAS GROTTO EXPERIENCE Come on a magical Christmas journey through The Albert Hall. The Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells, 12-5pm, details www.thealberthall.co.uk

Sun 19 December THE LUDLOW JAZZ COLLECTIVE 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, SY8 2JE, 12.30-3pm, 01584 872063.

OPEN MIC Hosted by Mark Richards. The White Swan, Eardisland, 3-6pm. Please prebook your slot, email markianrichards@ hotmail.com

Harbottle & Jonas

ELVIS (IS IN THE BUILDING) The Six Bells, Bishop’s Castle, 4pm, 01588 630144.

NINE LESSONS & CAROLS Leominster Priory, 4.30pm.

CHRISTMAS GROTTO EXPERIENCE Come on a magical Christmas journey through The Albert Hall. The Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells, 12-5pm, details www.thealberthall.co.uk

Tues 21 December HAY MADRIGALS SINGERS AND PLAYERS Voices, violins, violone and chamber organ. Programme includes Haydn, Buxtehude and Handel. A candlelit Christmas concert, festive homemade cakes and drinks for sale after the concert. St Mary’s Church, Hay-on-Wye, 3.30pm, free with retiring collection, www.haymadrigals.org

Wed 22 December THE WEST END AT CHRISTMAS An evening of entertainment featuring hits from the musicals and the best of Christmas song. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, 01600 718401.

LITTLE RUMBA Little Rumba’s sound has touches of Eastern Europe and South America, as well as jazz and blues; with beautiful melodies, infectious beats and songs that tell stories. Presteigne Assembly Rooms, 8pm, £1 from The Workhouse, Presteigne (cash only) and wegottickets.com ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SINGALONG A night of fun, joy and laughter. Free refreshments. The Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells, 6pm, details www.thealberthall.co.uk

Thurs 23 December WHISKEY RIVER TRIO Foot tappin’ Cajun, Blues, Roots and Bluegrass. Babar Cafe, Union St, Hereford, £7.50.

THE WAYNE MARTIN BAND The Crown & Anchor, Vaults, Bishop’s Castle.

Fri 24 December THE MADHOUSE BAND Classic covers with a festive twist and awesome originals. The Grapes Tavern, East St, Hereford, 8.30pm.

NEIL REES KARAOKE Llanerch Inn, Llandrindod Wells, 01597 822234.

WITHOUT WARNING The Crown & Anchor, Vaults, Bishop’s Castle.

EPIPHANY CAROL SERVICE Leominster Priory, 4.30pm.

Sun 26 December

Mon 3 January

CHARLIE KAY Llanerch Inn, Llandrindod Wells, 01597 822234.

Fri 31 December WHISKEY RIVER TRIO Ring in the new year with some foot tappin’ Cajun, Blues, Roots and Bluegrass.

Three Horseshoes Inn, Allensmore.

SOULD 7-piece soul band playting through to 2022. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 9.30pm, 01497 821762.

NEW YEAR’S EVE KARAOKE PARTY Monkland Arms, Monkland, near Leominster.

RHYTHM THIEVES Bring your dancing shoes and see in the new year with a bang! White Swan, Eardisland, 9pm, free.

THE ENDINGS The Bull Inn, Shrewsbury, £2 entry.

NEW YEAR’S EVE @ THE LEFT BANK Featuring Ary Newman, Jake of Diamonds, Max Galactic, Sam Westlake, Roddy Hankins, Claude Minkey, Mark Guant, SJ Anderson, Outbound and others. Fireworks, street food on site. The Left Bank, Hereford, 7-2pm, £40, 01432 357753.

JANUARY Sun 2 January OPEN MIC Hosted by Mark Richards. The Castle Inn, Wigmore, 4-7pm. Please pre-book your slot, email markianrichards@ hotmail.com

BRIMFIELD FOLK CLUB Brimfield Village Hall, 7.30pm, 01584 711480. Please bring your own drinks/glasses.

CIDER CITY JAZZMEN The Barrels, St Owen St, Hereford, 01432 274968.

Wed 5 January DRAGON BAND The Montgomery Town Hall, Broad St, Montgomery, 8pm, free admission, but £5 donation gratefully received, 07831 383636.

Thurs 6 January ALMELEY STEADY SESSION The Bells Inn, Almeley, near Kington, www.almeleysteadysession.wordpress. com

Fri 7 January MOJAM Acoustic pop thru’ the ages with looped guitar and harmony vocals.

The Squirrel, Foldgate Lane, Ludlow, 8.30pm.

ACOUSTIC SESSIONS Monkland Arms, Monkland, near Leominster.

MARK LATIMER & TREV DAVIES TRIO Chequers, Etnam St, Leominster.

Sat 8 January CREDENHILL OPEN MIC NIGHT Credenhill Sports & Social Club, 7pm, martinchapple1@gmail.com HARBOTTLE & JONAS Devon based folk duo. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.45pm, 01432 340555.

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Thurs 20 January SUGGS: A LIFE IN THE REALM OF MADNESS With help from Deano his trusty pianist, Suggs tells his story in words and music with the help of some Madness classics. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, 01432 340555.

Fri 21 January SHREWSBURY CONCERT BAND Gala concert, music, films and shows.

Silvester Horne Institute, Church Stretton, 7.30pm, £12 (including wine), 01694 720132.

AUDIO VAULTS The Bull Inn, Shrewsbury.

Welsh National Orchestra

Sat 8 January WNO ORCHESTRA ‘Return to Vienna’. A programme of waltzes, polkas and maybe even a few surprises. Hafren Theatre, Newtown, 4pm, 01686 614555.

Sun 9 January THE LUDLOW JAZZ COLLECTIVE The Cliffe at Dinham, Ludlow, SY8 2JE, 12.30-3pm, 01584 872063.

Thurs 13 January YOU WIN AGAIN Celebrating the music of the Bee Gees.

The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, 01432 340555.

Fri 14 January HAY MUSIC Featuring Llyr Williams, Wales’s leading concert pianist. Programme includes Schumann, Liszt and Chopin.

St Mary’s Church, Hay-on-Wye, 7pm, £17.50, students £8.75, www.haymusic.org FOLK @ THE FALCON Featuring Nick Dow with support from Dora Darling. (This is an unplugged event without PA or mikes). Falcon Hotel, Bromyard, 7.30pm, £10, 01885 483425.

ISLANDS IN THE STREAM Tributes to the legends of country music. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, £24, 01600 772467.

Sat 15 January ESTRAVEN Contemporary jazz, with influences from contemporary classical and Arabic modal music interlinked with full throttle improvisation. Shrewsbury Jazz Network. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, £23, under 22s £12, 01743 234970.

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FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS Starring Carole Gordon with singers, dancers and musicians playing the best in Country music and Rock ‘n’ roll.

The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, 01432 340555.

BROMYARD WINDBAND New Year concert. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7.30pm, 01885 488575.

Sun 16 January OPEN MIC Hosted by Mark Richards. The White Swan, Eardisland, 3-6pm. Please prebook your slot, email markianrichards@ hotmail.com THE SHED WRECKERS Richmond Club, Edgar St, Hereford, 3-5pm, free, 01432 270211.

Wed 19 January FRANKI Franki Valli tribute. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, 01432 340555.

DRAGON BAND Town Hall, Broad St, Montgomery, 8pm, free admission, 07831 383636.

OPEN MIC Hosted by Mark Richards.

The Rose and Crown, Ludlow, 8-11pm.

Please pre-book your slot, email markianrichards@hotmail.com FASTLOVE George Michael tribute. Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, 01432 340555.

MONMOUTH BIG BAND With special guest, saxophonist Dan Newberry. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 8pm, £10/£8, 01600 772467.

Sat 22 January THE HEY YAHS - FUNDRAISER A fun, lively party band showcasing a vibrant mix of dazzling vocals, uplifting brass and ultimate grooves. Courtyard, Hereford, 8pm, 01432 340555.

SATURDAY SHENANIGANS Featuring Mr Woodnote with Skunkadelic. The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 8pm, 01497 821762.

INDIGO MACHINE The Bull Inn, Shrewsbury.

SOUL MANIFESTO ‘A Soul Story’. Music through the decades, nine-piece band. Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7.30pm, 01885 488575.

Sun 23 January

Sister Cookie

DAN WALSH & RACHEL BAIMAN British, Irish and American folk music.

The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 7.45pm, £15, 01743 234970.

THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW Paying tribute to its favourite rock heroes. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £30-£40, 01743 281281.

Tues 25 January OPEN MIC NIGHT YOUNG PERFORMERS The Underground, Bishop’s Castle (side gate Public Hall). No need to book, turn up and play or support. Dry bar, amps/mics/spare guitars available, 6.30pm, 01588 630321.

Fri 28 January THE SOUL TRAIN A fun presentation of 60s and 70s soul classics. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, £19, 01600 772467.

STRONG ENOUGH Tribute concert to Cher. Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, 01432 340555.

THE LUDLOW JAZZ COLLECTIVE The Cliffe at Dinham, Ludlow, SY8 2JE, 7-10pm, 01584 872063.

OPEN MIC Hosted by Mark Richards. The Sun, Rosemary Lane, Leintwardine, 7.30pm.

Please pre-book your slot, email markianrichards@hotmail.com PAUL PARKER & ALL THE RIGHT FRIENDS The Bull Inn, Shrewsbury.

MARTYN JOSEPH A jaw dropping guitar player who has developed a unique percussive style, teamed up with a powerful showstopping voice. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, £20, 01743 281281.

Sat 29 January BARRY STEELE & FRIENDS The Roy Orbison Story. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.30pm, 01432 340555.

SISTER COOKIE & SUPPORT The much feted ‘black rose of the blues’, Sister Cookie, brings her joyous mix of blues, soul and va-va-voom to the annual Wild Hare Club birthday show. Vintage threads, hats and cocktail frocks are encouraged. Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford, 7.30pm, £15, www.wildhareclub.com CLUN VALLEY JAZZ Featuring Jim Rattingan Quartet. Town Hall, Bishop’s Castle, 01588 630023, www.bishopscastletownhall.co.uk

RACE NIGHT Enjoy a glass of fizz and a picnic... place your bets. Conquest fundraiser.

Conquest Theatre, Bromyard, 7pm, 01885 488575.

Mon 7 February

Sun 30 January

CIDER CITY JAZZMEN The Barrels, St Owen St, Hereford, 01432 274968.

HR4K OPEN MIC NIGHT Book a slot. Unit 12A, Thorn Business Park, Hereford, 7.30pm, martinchapple1@gmail.com PRESTEIGNE POP CHOIR Present a programme of pop hits from the 60s to the present. St Andrew’s Church, Presteigne, 3pm, £5 includes tea and cake, children free.

FEBRUARY Wed 2 February DRAGON BAND The Montgomery Town Hall, Broad St, Montgomery, 8pm, 07831 383636.

Thurs 3 February ALMELEY STEADY SESSION The Bells Inn, Almeley, near Kington, www.almeleysteadysession.wordpress. com

Fri 4 February MOJAM Acoustic pop thru’ the ages with looped guitar and harmony vocals. Lupa, 37 Bewell St, Hereford, 8.30pm.

ACOUSTIC SESSIONS Monkland Arms, Monkland, near Leominster.

MARK LATIMER & TREV DAVIES TRIO Chequers, Etnam St, Leominster.

Sun 6 February OPEN MIC Hosted by Mark Richards. The Castle Inn, Wigmore, 4-7pm. Please pre-book your slot, email markianrichards@ hotmail.com

BRIMFIELD FOLK CLUB Brimfield Village Hall, 7.30pm, 01584 711480. Please bring your own drinks/glasses.

Music Workshops Sat 4 December & Sat 15 January FIDDLES IN HARMONY The Saturday Coffee Sessions offer an irresistible blend of sociable ensemble playing with expert guidance on style, technique and musicality. Traditional tunes with original harmony parts, especially composed for folk fiddle players by tutor Kitty Greenwood.

Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms. Coffee 10.30am, music 11am. Fee £15: includes pdf sheet music. Email Kitty: folkfiddleteacher@ gmail.com 01584 841564 Sun 5 December TAIKO TASTER SESSIONS Have fun playing Japanese Taiko drums suitable for adults and children.

Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, adults 10am, family session 12pm, 01874 611622.

Sun 23 January WEST GALLERY MUSIC WORKSHOP Led by Edwin and Sheila Macadam. Lydbury North Village Hall, SY7 8AU, 10.30 (prompt) to 4.30. £15.

Please bring your own coffee etc. and lunch (or food to share). To book or for information: trevorchalkley@gmail.com or call 01588 630678.

Thurs 27 January CANTORIAN LLANDRINDOD Open rehearsal and taster session of Faure’s Requiem and Vivaldi’s Gloria.

Holy Trinity Church, Llandrindod Wells, 7.45pm, 01597 810601.

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Monday BRECON TOWN BAND REHEARSALS Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7pm, 07779 390954.

First Thursdays BLACK HILL TUNE CLUB 2pm at the Crown Inn Longtown. Free. 01432 263495.

Monday THE GARRICK SINGERS For over 60s. The Courtyard, Hereford, 2pm. £5 per session, 01432 340555.

Friday LITTLE HEREFORD VOICES COMMUNITY CHOIR We are a non-audition choir formed 8 years ago with 30+ mixed voices. Rehearsing at Little Hereford Village Hall, 7.30pm- 9.15pm. Subscriptions £3 per session paid termly, first session free. Broad repertoire (usually 3 & 4 parts) – all welcome. More information, term dates etc: lhvoices.wix.com/home

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 Bright and breezy traditional and original music.Youth Centre, Presteigne. Mondays at 7pm, Sue Harris 01547 550158 Monday GARRICK SINGERS For over 55s, no prior knowledge or experience of singing. The Courtyard, Hereford, 2-3.30pm, £5 per session, email lisa@encore-enterprises.com.

Tuesday DOLAU MIXTURES Mixed choir. Dolau Community Hall, Llandrindod Wells, 8pm, 01597 851427.

Tuesday LUNCHTIME UPLIFT SINGING SESSIONS With Tanya Walker. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 12pm, 07723 016837.

Friday CRAVEN ARMS SAMBA CIRCLE Craven Arms Community Centre. 4.15pm - 5.45pm. Traditional drum rhythms and fun drumming activities. All ages, including accompanied children, welcome. Adults £5 (+ child £1, second child free). Enquiries carol@mkgriffs.plus.com 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.

Sessions

Tuesdays SAMBA BRECON Sue on 07792 165481 or Gill on 01497 821631. 7-9pm, VH, near Brecon.

First Saturday OPEN MIC Greyhound Inn, Llangunllo, 8.30pm, 01547 550400.

Tuesday LEOMINSTER COMMUNITY CHOIR Choir leader: Olivia Preye. No auditions, no need to read music.

World, folk music, and more. 7-8.30pm at Leominster Community Centre. 01568 369074.

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.

Tuesday WHITTON VOICES Mixed community choir.

Traditional, world and original songs. Assembly Rooms, Presteigne, 7.30pm. Call Sue Harris 01547 550158.

3rd Saturday OPEN MUSIC SESSION Harp Inn, Glasbury-on-Wye, 8.30pm, free, 01497 847373.

Wednesdays CASTLE VOICES Community choir, songs from around the globe. Town Hall, Bishop’s Castle, 7pm.

Sue Harris 01547 550158.

Wednesday ROCKSPRING COMMUNITY CHOIR All welcome particularly men! Minimal charge. Rockspring Community Centre, Ludlow. 01584 529053.

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 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 Rehearsals term time 6.45-8.30pm at Kington Primary School. Formed in 2014, a non-auditioning mixed choir of all ages. www.kccchoir.wordpress.com kccherefordshire@gmail.com Thursday CLUN SINGERS Informal community choir, traditional and original songs taught by ear. 10am in High Town Hall, Clun. Sue Harris 01547 550158.

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 CANTORION LLANDRINDOD A non auditioned mixed voice choir early and classical music. Rehearsals currently in Holy Trinity Church, Llandrindod Wells. 7.459.15pm. 01597 810601, www.cantorion-llandrindod.org

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Friday BUZZY BEATS! A fun music filled morning for the under 5s. The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 10.30am11.30am, £7, 01743 234970.

Every Sunday FOLK/ACOUSTIC SESSION The Crown & Anchor, Llanidloes, 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 FOLK SESSION The Monkland Arms, 7.30pm, 01568 720510.

Last Sunday OPEN MIC Volunteer Inn, Harold St, Hereford, 7.30pm, martinchapple1@gmail.com 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 1st Monday AMERICANA SESSION The Grape Vaults, Leominster, 01568 611404.

2nd Monday JAM SESSION The Barley Mow, Trefonen, 7.30pm, 07751 420796.

Every Tuesday PLAYING TOGETHER An interactive, intergenerational play session for older adults and pre-school children. The Courtyard, Hereford, 10.30am, 01432 340555.

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 TUESDAY JAM SESSION The Falcon Hotel, Bromyard, 8-11pm, 01885 483034.

Every Wednesday MUSIC CAFE FOR ARMED FORCES VETERANS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA Orchestra of the Swan’s Cafe Muse until December. The Courtyard, Hereford, 11am-3pm, free, and £7.50 from January, 01432 340555.

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.

1st Wednesday ACOUSTIC SESSION The Red Lion, Llanidloes, 8.30pm.

1st Wednesday HEREFORD BLUEGRASS SESSION The Old Brewery Bar, The Barrels, St Owen St, Hereford, 8pm.

2nd Wednesday MARTIN’S MUSIC Open mic from 7pm.

Babar Cafe, Union St, Hereford, martinchapple1@gmail.com 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 JAM SESSION The Unicorn, Oswestry, 7.30pm, 07751 420796.

4th Wednesday AMERICAN SESSION Press Rooms, Leominster, 8pm, christopher.andrews42@gmail.com Every Thursday & Friday A CLOCKWORK ORANGE TREE Open mic, 7pm. The Orange Tree, 16 King St, Hereford.

Every Thursday OPEN MIC Bridge Inn, Michaelchurch Escley, 7-8pm, 01981 510646.

Every Thursday OPEN MUSIC SESSION Nat and Delia present Duke Joint Jam. Oxford Arms, Kington, 6.30pm, all welcome, 01544 230322.

Every Thursday SESSION Black Swan, Much Dewchurch, 01981 540295.

1st Thursday KINGTON FOLK Traditional folk club set-up, no guests, performers welcome. Back room of the Oxford Arms, Duke St, Kington, 7.30pm, free. Contact Dave Mullin 07866 177669 or email davemullin@hotmail.com 2nd Thursday OPEN MIC Hosted by Stevie Yeomans.

Castle Inn, Knucklas, near Knighton, 8pm, 01547 528150.

2nd Thursday TRADITIONAL/FOLK SESSION The Whistling Badger, Llanidloes, 01686 412583, corns@mousemusic.co.uk 2nd Thursday OPEN FOLK SESSION Horse & Jockey, Churchstoke, 8.30pm, all welcome, free, 01588 620060.

3rd Thursday FOLK DOWN THE TRACK Castle Inn, Knucklas, 7pm, 01547 528223 or 01547 528150.

4th Thurs OPEN MIC The Barley Mow, Trefonen, 7.30pm, 07751 420796 to book your slot.

1st Friday ACOUSTIC SESSION The Blue Boar, Mill St, Ludlow, 8:30pm. Contact: Ann Gray 01584 879 348.

3rd Friday OPEN MIC NIGHT The Herb Garden Community Cafe, Llandrindod Wells, 7.30pm, 01597 823082.

Last Friday OPEN MIC NIGHT With Mark from the Rhythm Thieves. Sun Inn, Leintwardine, 8.30pm, 01568 770134.

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band directory ADD A BAND - Real instrument backing to your own music. Perfect for singer songwriters etc. Studio near Newtown. www.addaband.co.uk, 07515 401635.

ANIMAL Solo entertainer, piano/vocals, harmonica, mixed music. Also session player on drums.

Experienced TV, theatre, cruises, holiday parks, radio, concerts, Britain’s Got Talent 2012. Backed Stella Parton, Tommy Cash, Screaming Lord Sutch, Dr Feelgood, Wishbone Ash, Ruby Murry.

To book please phone Paul 0751 484 7966.

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 BEST FOOT CEILIDH BAND The hottest dance band on the borders + caller. Available for weddings, barn dances and parties. Contact: 07969 440183 or john@johnhymas. com

sheep

BROAD

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

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.

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BIG MAGIC DANCE BAND 10-piece jive/R & R group.

‘Does what it says on the tin!’ Parties/festivals/happenings/weddings etc. Call Eddy on 01691 648729 or 07796 148448. Web: eddygartry.com Email: w.gartry@hotmail. com Management also for The Werewolves of Powys and Blues State UK THE CHICAGO SWING KATZ - New Orleans Blues to Chicago Swing. 6/7 Piece band playing foot-tapping, fun music that will make you feel happy. Weddings, Birthdays, Corporate events, Festivals, even funerals - but book well in advance for those! Traditional Jazz Trios, Quartets also available. Come and hear the band every 2nd Sunday of the Month at the Wild Pig, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, SY3 9JT. Email: chicagoswingkatz@aol.com, www.thechicagoswingkatz.co.uk Jeff: 07831 - 383636 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.

THE DRAGON BIG BAND - 14 musicians playing Basie, Ellington, and exclusive arrangements. Jazz to Swing to Latin. Trumpets, trombones, saxes, bass, guitar, keyboard, drums. Come and listen every Wednesday, 8.00 - 10.30, The Horse & Jockey, Churchstoke, Powys, SY15 6AE, 01588 - 620060. Comfortable venue, bar, food (book), large car park, fun and with free admission.

Band Enquiries: Mike 01686 – 668675 KERI HOFFMAN Keri Hoffman is an energetic yet classy performer. Keri is a well-known name and firm favourite within the industry. Dynamic and versatile her extensive repertoire means she is perfect for any occasion, from small laid back intimate settings, to those high octane concerts of festival proportions.

Follow Keri on facebook - @vocalsbykeri.

Contact via www.kerihoffmanvocalist.co.uk Keri.hoffman@hotmail.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!

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 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. pppbrooks@gmail. com

MELOMANICS A wacky, Shropshire-based Duo with an amazingly dynamic sound, playing their eclectic and cosmopolitan repertoire with engaging humour and infectious energy (sustainable). Far more than just great music. And stilts if appropriate. Find out how much fun a ceilidh can be with Tim calling and playing. Ideal for parties, weddings, fund-raising events, festivals, shows, pubs, restaurants, etc. Scottish, Irish and French-themed specialities (Timoléon pour vos soirées francaises).

For more info call Tim on 01743 719438, or Rich on 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.

REVEREND FERRIDAY Upbeat One Man Blues Band.

Playing driving slide guitar with rockabilly flair, seasoned with a touch of Americana, a mix of stomping originals and traditional classics. Available for all occasions, large or small. Contact the Reverend: 01584 711700 - 07766 185451 - revferriday@gmail.com - www.revferriday.com 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 THE ROTUNDAS are a pair of jolly chaps who sing and play contemporary versions of industrial and social folk songs from Birmingham and the Black Country. Listen on Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/therotundas and contact us at our Facebook page @TheRotundas or email therotundasband@gmail.com SHRED BELLY Ludlow/Shropshire based acoustic duo, playing covers of popular ‘Dad’s Rock’ songs from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and more. Full band can also be available. All bookings and enquiries please contact: Kevin on 07873 426205 or Paul on 07957 247851.

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 THE CHERRYSTONES are Aly (whistles, flute, accordion, vocals), Matt (bass, foot drum, vocals) and Dave (guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, vocals) who bring you a mix of original and traditional folk songs and tunes.

From thoughtful, well-crafted songs to infectious uptempo Irish whistle tunes, we will warm your heart and stir your souls and soles! Contact : Dave 07817 220016, dgand2@btinternet.com. Find us here Facebook.com The Cherrystones. Website coming soon!

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.

For bookings / further info ring 01497 847676 www.villagequire.org.uk / www.songsforsilas.org.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

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. Concerts/gigs.

SIMON THE PIPER Highland Piper with 20 years experience. Available for all occasions - weddings, funerals, Burn’s Night, Hogmanay, festivals, processions etc. Based in Hereford. Call 07791 045831 or facebook. com/simonthepiper Email simonthepiper@hotmail.com

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theatre A Christmas Carol (John O’Connor)

CHILDREN’S THEATRE Until Sat 8 Jan JACK AND THE BEANSTALK COURTYARD PRODUCTIONS. Jack and his poor mum are down on their luck... when Jack sells his beloved cow, all he gets is a measly bag of beans, but these are no ordinary beans... The Courtyard, Hereford, phone for times and prices, 01432 340555.

Wed 1 December - Mon 3 January ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN! Swashbuckling family pantomime starring Shropshire legendary dame Brad Fitt. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, chekc for times, £27.50-£16, 01743 281281.

PERFORMANCE Thurs 2 December A CHRISTMAS CAROL - AS TOLD BY JACOB MARLEY (DECEASED) BROTHER WOLF. Adapted and performed by James Hyland. Told from the perspective of Scrooge’s deceased business partner. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7pm, 01600 718401.

Sun 12 December CHRISTMAS GOTHIC DYAD PRODUCTIONS. Christmas: a time to remember the past, celebrate the present and look to the future. A time of ghosts... Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 7.30pm, 01874 611622.

Wed 15 & Thurs 16 December A CHRISTMAS CAROL EUROPEAN ARTS COMPANY. Actor John O’Connor delightfully recreates Charles Dickens’s famous performance of his best-loved ghost story. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.45pm, 01432 340555.

Fri 17 & Sat 18 December A CHRISTMAS CAROL Brought to life by Olivier award winner, Guy Masterson.

17 Dec - Market Theatre, Ledbury, 8pm, £15, students £8, 07967 517125. 18 Dec - Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, 8pm, 01584 878141.

Mon 24 - Sat 29 January THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE When opened in London’s West End, every review was a rave, every show a sell-out and it won every major theatre award. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £17 - £39.50, 01743 281281.

Fri 28 January DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE An experiment to separate virtue from wickedness in his own nature results in the respectable Dr Jekyll releasing the demon within. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7.45pm, 01432 340555.

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Sat 4 - Fri 31 December THE SNOW QUEEN COURTYARD PRODUCTIONS. An enchanting new version of Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless story.

Featuring original songs and interaction aplenty, this energetic and exciting show celebrates the things that make us different and the value of friendship. Perfect for children too little for panto. The Courtyard, Hereford, phone for times, £10/£9, family Saturdays £7.50 including free pre-activity from 10.30am, 01432 340555.

Sun 5 December SANTA’S BEST EVER CHRISTMAS Join Father Christmas and friends in this brand new, festive, musical, interactive adventure for ages 2-7 year olds, where every child will receive a wrapped present from Santa. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 11am & 2pm, £10.50, £9.50 children, family £36, 01600 772467.

Mon 13 December - Sun 2 January JACK AND THE BEANSTALK SPONTANEOUS PRODUCTIONS. The magical Monmouth family panto is back. 13 - 17 Dec - Schools shows. 15 Dec - Relaxed show at 6.30pm.

16 & 30 Dec - A naughty adults only show (no under 16s), 7.30pm. 28 Dec - 2 Jan - family shows. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 01600 772467.

Wed 15 - Fri 31 December SLEEPING BEAUTY Tenbury’s all-comedy pantomime. Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells, phone for times, 01584 811442.

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

T H E W O R L D ’ S G R E AT E S T L I V I N G E X P L O R E R

L I V I N G D A N G E R O U S LY

BOOK ONLINE

THEHAFREN.CO.UK BOX OFFICE

01686 614555 FRIDAY 28TH JANUARY 2022, 7.45PM - TICKETS £33 Please note booking fees included.

Named by the Guinness Book of Records as “the world’s greatest living explorer”, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has spent his life in pursuit of extreme adventure.

Amongst his many record-breaking achievements, he was the first to reach both Poles, the first to cross the Antarctic and Arctic Ocean, and the first to circumnavigate the world along its polar axis. fb: hafrennewtown tw: Hafren_Newtown in: the_hafren_theatre

Fri 17 - Fri 24 December A CHRISTMAS HUG Based on the best-selling book ‘How The Koala Learnt to Hug’

by Steven Lee. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, phone for times, £12, family £44, 01743 281281.

Tues 21 - Thurs 23 December GLISTEN HALF MOON THEATRE. For babies from 0-18 months and their grown up. A gentle and multi-sensory experience exploring the world of reflective materials wrapped up in a soundscape of laid-back music.

The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 11am, 1pm & 3pm, £12, £6 child, family £30, 01743 234970.

Thurs 13 - Sat 15 & A Christmas Hug Thurs 20 - Sat 22 January THE GREAT SANTA KIDNAP LADS. Three goblins plot to kidnap Santa on Christmas Eve, so it’s up to Tommy and Anna to find him and safeguard Christmas for children everywhere. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 7.30pm, plus Saturday matinees 2.30pm, £11, children £6, family £37, 07967 517125.

Fri 21 - Sun 23 January DICK WHITTINGTON LLANDRINDOD WELLS THEATRE COMPANY. The Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells, details, www.thealberthall.co.uk Sat 29 January TREASURE ISLAND With original music and audience participation as well as use of puppetry and mime, this is ideal for any children interested in travel, pirates, adventure, music or drama.

Free pre-activity from 10.30am, show 11am.

The Courtyard, Hereford, 01432 340555.

DRAMA WORKSHOPS 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. Fri - Intermediate Youth Theatre. For years 10 & 11, 5.15pm, £68.50 per term. Fri - Senior Youth Theatre, Year 12+, 7pm, £73.50 per term. Courtyard Musical Theatre, Tues for ages 4-8 years, 4-4.55pm, £60 per 12 week term.

Thurs for ages 9-17 6.15pm-7.25pm, £66 per 12 week 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 2), 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.

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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 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.

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 (term time) SHROPSHIRE YOUTH THEATRE Seniors, 7-9.30pm, 14-25 years. All abilities welcome.

The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury. www.shropshireyouththeatre.co.uk Thursdays IMPULSIVE THEATRE COMPANY For ages 13-19. The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury, 5-6.45pm, 07916 277928.

Alternate Thursdays (term time) HAVE A GO SHAKESPEARE All welcome, £5. Wyeside, Builth Wells, 10.30am-1.30pm, details Sue Best, 01597 811487.

Saturdays (term time) SHROPSHIRE YOUTH THEATRE Beginners 9.30am-10.45am, 6-8 year olds.

Juniors 11am-1pm, 9-12 year olds. The HIve, Shrewsbury, www.shropshireyouththeatre.co.uk Glisten

Conquest Theatre Bromyard Live On Stage Sat 18 Dec, 7.30pm A CHRISTMAS CHARIVARI Open the windows of our Christmas Calendar and be surprised! Be prepared to participate in a gallimauphry of Christmassy titbits!

Sat 15 Jan, 7.30pm BROMYARD WINDBAND New Year concert Sat 22 Jan, 7.30pm A SOUL STORY - SOUL MANIFESTO Music trhough the decades, nine-piece band.

Sat 29 Jan, 7pm RACE NIGHT Conquest fundraiser.

(Sponsored by Strickland Wealth Managment).

Enjoy a glass of fizz and a picnic... place your bets.

Screenings 4 Dec, 5.55pm EURYDICE NY Met Opera (A Met premiere) 9 Dec, 7pm NUTCRACKER ROH (Live broadcast) 11 & 12 Dec, 7.30pm & 3pm ANDRE RIEU “Christmas with Andre” 15 Dec, 7pm TOSCA ROH (Live broadcast) 1 Jan, 5.55pm CINDERELLA NY Opera (English translation) 19 Jan, 7.30pm RAPHAEL REVEALED Exhibition on Screen One of the three Renaissance greats.

27 Jan, 7pm LEOPOLDSTAT National Theatre (Live broadcast)

Films 3 Dec, 8pm OFF THE RAILS (15) Featuring Sally Phillips, Kelly Preston and Judi Dench

17 Dec, 8pm SUMMERLAND (12A) A romantic wartime period drama starring Penelope Wilton and Gemma Arterton 7 Jan, 7.30pm OFFICIAL SECRETS (15) Featuring Kiera Knightley 21 Jan, 7.30pm THE ENGLISHMAN WHO WENT UP A HILL BUT CAME DOWN A MOUNTAIN (PG) Starring Hugh Grant and Tara Fitzgerald Saturday Coffee Shop open 10.30am-12.30pm

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

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word Box of Frogs

Sat 11 December FARCICAL COMEDY With Nick Page. The Left Bank, Bridge St, Hereford, 7.30pm, £12.50, 01432 357753.

Sat 18 December & Fri 21 January BOX OF FROGS IMPROV COMEDY Comedy from Birmingham’s premier improv group. For ages 16+. 18 Dec - Chapel Lawn Village Hall, 8pm, £12.

21 Jan - Goodrich Village Hall, 7.30pm, £12, under 18s £6.

Arts Alive, www.artsalive.co.uk Fri 14 January MARK STEEL: EVERY THING’S GONNA BE ALRIGHT The Courtyard, Hereford, 8pm, 01432 340555.

Poetry & Storytelling

Sat 22 January OMID DJALILI After experimenting with a Zoom gig where he got muted by 639 people; multi award-winning comedian and actor Omid Djalili is now where he belongs, back on stage.

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £27, 01743 281281.

Fri 3 December A CHRISTMAS WITH FRIENDS Presented by Ledbury Flower Club. An evening of festive stories and legends. Market Theatre, Ledbury, 7.30pm, £10, 01531 635404.

Sun 23 January SEVERN JESTERS Featuring Adam Rowe, Eddy Brimson, Sally-Anne Hayward and Simon Lomas. For ages 18+.

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £12, 01743 281281.

Fri 10 December & Fri 14 January BLAST - STORYTELLING 10 Dec - ‘Fireside Tales for a Winter’s Night’.

14 Jan - Storytelling returns for the new year. Town Hall, Bishop’s Castle, 01588 630023, www.bishopscastletownhall.co.uk

Sun 30 January ED BYRNE Join Ed as he takes a long hard look at thimself and tries to decide if he has any traits worth passing on to his children. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 8pm, £26.50, 01743 281281.

Sun 30 January BEDTIME STORIES FOR GROWN-UPS InnCrowd’s Suki Silvertongue brings her unique re-telling of classic stories, with an adult twist. For ages 18+. The Stiperstones Inn, 8pm, £12.50 including food. Arts Alive. www.artsalive.co.uk

Talks

Comedy Sat 4 December RICH HALL’S HOEDOWN DELUXE Gut-busting, rib-tickling, toe-tapping and shit-kicking, Rich Hall’s Hoedown Deluxe covers the full anatomical spectrum. Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, 8pm, £19, www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk Sun 5 December THE GRAPES COMEDY NIGHT Featuring Cerys Nelmes, Damon Conlan, Lou Ridgeway, Greg Winfield and Sean McBurney. The Grapes, 100 East St, Hereford, 7pm, 07999 781345.

Fri 10 December COMEDY CLUB Over 16s only. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, 8pm, 01874 611622.

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Fri 10, Sat 11, Fri 17 & Sat 18 December, Fri 7 & 21 January WESTONS CIDER COMEDY CLUB Enjoy laugh out loud comedy from some of the hottest up-and-coming comedians on the circuit. The Courtyard, Hereford, 8.30pm, 01432 340555.

Fri 21 January AN EVENING WITH SIR GARETH EDWARDS In Association with Aitch and Aitch Bee. One of the stars of the great Welsh rugby side of the 1970s. Blake Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, 01600 718401.

Mark Steel

The Orgasmic Cider Company

Award winning Cider & Perry Makers Great Parton, Eardisley, Herefordshire, HR3 6NX

Open Wednesdays - Sundays.

Cider, Perry, Apple & Pear Juice, Sloe Gin, Christmas Trees, Locally produced Ales, Gins, Chutneys.

Handcrafted unique Christmas Gifts.

Ample parking, warm welcome! ‘Try before you buy’.

While you’re here, pick up a Christmas Tree, various sizes.

Tel: 07773 037448. www.orgasmiccidercompany.co.uk Find us on:

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 aardvaark@btconnect.com www.aardvark-books.com Bookshop open to visitors Tues-Sun 10am-4pm.

CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS

Aardvark Books and Cafe will be closed on the 25th and 26th December, and will then re-open on 27th to 31st December.

We will close for New Year’s Day. Happy Christmas and Merry New Year!

Music Sticky Wicket & Latin Beats Workshops Cobble Chalking Needle Felting Singing Scrap Modelling Willow Weaving Cartoon Drawing Textile Upcycling Talks by Robert Fowke Paul Binding Jim Gaffney Andrew Fusek Peters

Exhibitions Castle Artists Bishop’s Castle Arts Society Tim Phillips & Kate Evans Tahira Paul @ The Chai Shop Border Lights Gallery Dance Rosa Janes - Balkan Ceilidh Shropshire Bedlams Plus A Craft Far / Children’s Storytelling Film / Open Studios / Poetry Drop-in Knitting. Plus Much more.

Most events will be Free of Charge!

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Jo Brand

Workshops & Courses Commencing Mon 17 Jan HEREFORD WEA 8 WEEK COURSE ‘Figurative Painting in Britain and Europe over 3 Centuries’ with Allen Fisher. The Kindle Centre, Hereford, 10.30am12.30pm, to book a place 01432 804130, www.wea.org.uk Fri 21 January JUDGE ME BY MY COVER Looking for a chance to meet like minded people? An evening of mingling and all things liteary. All guests will be introduced by their favourite book, rather than their name.

Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 7-9pm, £2, www.potandpage.co.uk 01531 248743.

Until June 2022 OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPERIENCED WRITERS Intimate monthly seminars with Angela France, organised in partnership with The Poetry School.

Maximum of eight students. Dates: 14 Dec, 11 Jan, 8 Feb, 8 Mar, 12 Apr, 10 May, 14 June. Barrett Browning Institute, Ledbury, 6-8.30pm, £265, email administration@poetryschool.com 0207 582 1679.

Thurs 27 January AN EVENING WITH NICK BUTTER In 2019 Nick was crowned the first person to run a marathon in every country in the world. Hafren Theatre, Newtown, 7.30pm, 01686 614555.

Thurs 27 January ARTS SOCIETY MID WALES & BORDERS ‘Secrets and Lies - What Great Masterpieces Really Tell Us’. A talk by Sarah Gathercole. Powis Suite, Royal Oak Hotel, Welshpool, 2.30pm, visitors welcome, £6, 01938 555574.

Thurs 27 January JO BRAND: BORN LIPPY Jo will be in conversation with Sybil Ruscoe, talking about her career, film, TV script and book writing, present, acting roles and passions in life. There will be an opportunity to buy her book and have it personally signed by Jo after the show. The Courtyard, Hereford, 7pm, 01432 340555.

Fri 28 January SIR RANULPH FIENNES British explorer and holder of several endurance records.

Hafren Theatre, Newtown, 7.30pm, 01686 614555.

Sat 29 January AN EVENING WITH SHANE WILLIAMS Welsh rugby union player, most famous for his long and successful tenure as a wing for the Ospreys and the Wales National team. Hafren Theatre, Newtown, 7.30pm, 01686 614555.

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Thurs 3 February OH... AND ANOTHER THING... AN EVENING WITH SU (POLLARD) The show business phenomenon tells her life story complete with anecdotes and backstage gossip. Veteran of 31 stage plays, 43 pantos and of course, the TV series Hi-Di-Hi. Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm, £19.50, VIP Meet and Greet £40 (limited), 01600 772467.

Until May 2022 ONLINE POETRY READING GROUP Read and chat about the books shortlisted for the Ledbury Munthe Poetry Prize. 6 Dec - ‘Melt’ by Sarah Hymas. 10 Jan - ‘Two Tongues’ by Claudine Toutoungi.

7 Feb - ‘Horse-Man’ by Em Strang. 7 March - ‘Tigress’ by Jessica Mookherjee. 4 April - ‘Love Minus Love’ by Wayne Holloway-Smith. 9 May - ‘After the Formalities’ by Anthony Anaxagorou. Online reading group meetings are on Zoom, 7-9pm, free. Email director@poetry-festival.co.uk for Zoom link.

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.

Shane Williams

Nick Butter

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 POT AND PAGE BOOKCLUB An evening bookclub for readers with a literary themed cocktail in hand. Tapas and drinks served all evening.

Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 7pm, free, 01531 248743.

Fridays PARENT AND CHILD BOOKCLUB A bookclub for parents and storytime for children. Pot and Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 11am, free, but booking required, 01531 248743.

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.

GARAGE/WORKSHOP WANTED Imminent loss of current premises means I urgently need to rent (or buy) secure, dry accommodation with electricity for a classic car, a motorbike and workshop/storage equipment, ideally within walking distance of Presteigne town centre but anything considered.

Please call Mark Williams on 01544 260889

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grass roots Burning Wood to Save the Climate? Are they Crazy?

F

or many years British ministers have posed as heroes of the fight to curb climate change and they have rarely been challenged over their claims. However, in the last few weeks, green groups have lined up to challenge one aspect of the UK’s record on greenhouse gas emissions. And a government minister has conceded that there are real problems with the UK’s professed record on combating climate change.

The conflict of evidence centres on one of Britain’s biggest power stations, Drax in Yorkshire. Drax used to burn mainly coal to generate electricity. But over the last decade it has burned more and more wood pellets to power its turbines. It claims that this electricity is carbon neutral. And the government has chosen for many years not to argue with that claim.

How does it work? Well, the wood pellets are mostly imported from America. And, when they are burned, the resulting gases go up the chimneys and up into the sky.

And then - hey presto! The carbon dioxide is magically sucked out of the air and into new trees that are grown to replace those that have been burned.

Not only is the whole process carbon neutral, so it is claimed, but it also gets a handy subsidy from the government. Think of two million pounds. A useful freebie in the back pocket of any business. Not two million pounds every month! Or even every week. Drax is receiving the equivalent of a staggering £2 million every single day of the year for burning wood, from which there are considerable carbon emissions. Last year the total subsidy paid to Drax amounted to more than £830 million.

However, the claim of carbon neutrality is now coming under fire from scientists across Europe. The European Academies Sciences Advisory Council, quoted by the campaign group Ember, states that using woody biomass for power does not serve to curb global warming and may even “...increase the risk of dangerous climate change.”

According to Ember, “in reality, burning biomass could be contributing to climate change, at very high costs to the energy bill payer.” Some scientists argue that wood as a fuel causes more emissions even than coal.

To my mind, the strange thing about this was why it had taken green groups around a decade to make a noise about the serious environmental downside of burning wood pellets. However, when I checked back, I found that the BBC’s environment analyst, Roger Harrabin, had reported nearly ten years ago on grave doubts over biomass burning.

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His 2012 article, headed “Biomass may hinder climate fight”, referred to a statement by three leading green groups, the RSPB, Greenpeace, and Friends of the Earth.

Harry Huyton, of the RSPB, summed up their case. “Of course, growing plants absorb CO2 but when they’re burned it releases CO2 immediately and you have to wait for decades or hundreds of years for that to be

Zac Goldsmith, Minister of State at DEFRA

taken up (absorbed by trees). With climate change we don’t have the time to waste.”

However, that blast from the environmental groups back in 2012 failed to gain traction. It was ignored by the government, either because they did not understand the science, or, perhaps, because ministers liked the idea of a source of power that, to the less informed, could be sold as being green and which might always be there as a backstop if the wind didn’t blow and the sun didn’t shine.

Now, at last an environment minister has expressed his misgivings.

In November, the government launched a £500 million programme to protect rainforests and to ensure that forests are not casually being destroyed in the pursuit of energy and agriculture policies. This resulted in an own goal when the Daily Telegraph questioned the DEFRA minister of state, Lord Goldsmith, about how burning wood from forests tied in with saving them.

Goldsmith was honest enough to admit that there are “real problems” with burning biomass. He said it was right to raise “very good questions” about it. Back in 2017, Goldsmith had, as a backbencher, had asked an energy minister to reconsider what he called the huge annual subsidies given to “large scale, inefficient biomass electricity generation”.

The campaign groups now demanding a change of course on burning biomass say that before any more taxpayer money is spent on it, “we should make sure we know we’re getting the emissions reductions that we’re paying for.” However, it seems most unlikely that such evidence will ever be found.

Burning wood to generate power adds an extra source of air pollution to all the emissions which come from vehicles. And air pollution leads to much premature loss of life. The Royal College of Physicians blames bad air for 10,000 deaths a year in London alone. And this scales up to around 40,000 early deaths annually across the UK. The burning of wood pellets surely makes a mockery of all our efforts to clean up our act on climate change. And it is high time it was ended.

Julian O’Halloran

Green Events GARDENING ON THE ‘BORDERS’ Planting Schemes Perennial Borders Flower Meadows Nurture Maintain Restore Designs A Garden Sanctuary for You and Wildlife Call Michelle - A Plant Guru 01547 528003 M: 07793750691 E: mlrubybrink@gmail.com WYNNES OF DINMORE COUNTRYSTORE

Hedgelaying Course, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre

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.

December CHRISTMAS TREES Various sizes. Orgasmic Cider Company, Great Parton, Eardisley, HR3 6NX. Open Wed-Sun. 07773 037448. www.orgasmiccidercompany.co.uk December & January SHROPSHIRE HILLS DISCOVERY CENTRE 30 Dec - Guided Nature Walk, families welcome, around 1.5 miles, 10.30am-12pm, free. 22 Jan - Hedgelaying Course with Ian Cheeseborough, bring a sharp billhook, small pruning saw and loppers, 9.30am-4pm, £50, includes refreshments and light lunch. 29 & 30 Jan Birdwatch Crafts and Activities for ages 4-11 years, 11am-3pm, £4. Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, 01588 676060.

December KNIGHTON TREE ALLOTMENTS TRUST KTAT manages woodlands for the benefit of wildlife and members. Volunteer to learn. Details email woodland@ tveg.org.uk 01547 520374 http://tveg.org.uk

Stuart Morris HND

Over 20 years experience, Covid safe, providing all equipment

♠ ♠ ♠

♠ Mowing Borders Turfing

♠

ACE

Garden Maintenance Services

OF SPADES

All aspects of garden maintenance

♠ ♠ ♠

Hedge and shrub cutting Tree surgery Full public liability

Mobile: 07828 995237 Email: smorrisaos@gmail.com

Thurs 2 December EMBODYING SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP In these current times sustainability is becoming one of the most important issues of our lives. This workshop will provide a chance to explore positive and practical ways to take action right now. Group support and inspiration.

With Bryony Croft, Coaching and Teaching. Online. www.bryonycroft.com/book Sat 5 February HEREFORD SEED SWAP Bring saved seed, bought seed, plants, bulbs, edibles and ornamentals and swap for anything on the table, including heritage seed varieties. Plus free talk by Adam Alexander - ‘The importance of Local Varieties in Food Culture and Identity’ at 11am.The Courtyard, Hereford, 10am-2pm, 07880 730880.

Wednesdays LITTLE WILLOWS OUTDOOR NATURE PLAYGROUP The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 9.30am-11am, £1.50 per child, includes a bowl of porridge. Themes posted weekly on Facebook page, 01497 821762.

Every Third Saturday in the Month PRESTEIGNE REPAIR (Not December). Presteigne Youth Centre, Hereford Street. 10am-12pm. Household items repaired for free.

Info: 01544 267997.

Mondays & Wednesdays KNIGHTON MENS SHED Sharpening service available. Teme Mill, Station Yard, Knighton, 10am-2pm. John on 01544232750 or email jtknightonmensshed@gmail.com.

2nd Thursday of the month KINGTON KLEEN Networking drinks. Oxford Arms, Kington, from 7pm, www.kingtonkleen.org.uk

FRUIT TREE PRUNING From one branch to an entire orchard Adrian Jervis Tel: 01544 260656 apjervis@myphone.coop

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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 with Joanna Bruce RGN, MBAcC at The Body Clinic, Leominster & Richard’s Castle. Treating pain (NICE recommended) and long-term health conditions since 1985. Food intolerance testing. Phone 01584 831 840 or text 07984 460969.

E-booking: www.thebodyclinicleominster.co.uk 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 ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, TRAUMA, LOW SELF WORTH and emotional difficulties - our innovative approach is being used with private and NHS clients with great success. Clients attend an average of 4 sessions to achieve a substantial, some say transformative, effect on their well being. You can check out the testimonials and book a one to one session on our website www. peaceofmindnow.co.uk or get in touch for more information Mike Buckley 07931 986168 mcmbuckley@ gmail.com 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 BESPOKE MASSAGE THERAPY BY CHERYL LILWALL MTI. Sensitive communication through the medium of touch. For physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Clinic held at the Integrative Health Clinic, Holland House, 70 Belmont Road, Hereford. Tel: 07487 738089. www.herefordbespokemassagetherapy.co.uk

BROAD sheep

Complementary Therapies

ONLY £40 FOR THE WHOLE YEAR Just post the details of your therapy (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

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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.

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 DEEPLY RELAXING Craniosacral Therapy can increase your well-being by releasing emotional and physical tensions. Given a safe space and correct focus, your body knows the way. I am an accredited practitioner, qualified since 2004, based in Shrewsbury, Crickhowell and Mid Wales. Email: cheryljonestherapy@gmail.com Mobile: 07476 012299.

EMOTIONAL WELLBEING: Anne Cummings FETC (Adv Dip), BAoG (Dip), MBIG (Dip) offers a 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 and anxiety. Ffi see www.thewritetofeel.com.

EQUINE FACILITATED LEARNING. Personal growth for individuals and groups through powerful yet gentle interactions with horses, with seasoned Eponaquest facilitator Angela Dunning. EFL sessions involve spending time outdoors with these beautiful sentient beings, where you will be guided to deepen your connection to yourself and your body; build true confidence; reconnect to your Soul’s purpose and bring greater authenticity to your life. No horse experienced required. Shropshire/Herefordshire/Borders. Contact me on: 01588 630061/07583 726207; angela@equinereflections.co.uk; or visit www.thehorsestruth.co.uk

Is your internal dialogue getting you down?

Hypnotherapy will help to re-install your resilience and positivity: •Eliminate limiting beliefs that hold you back from living the life you want to live •Overcome negative behaviours and habits •Give you a self-help toolkit to use for the rest of your life Vicky Vic ky Nicolson-James, Leominster T: 01568 760 306 vickynicolsonjames@gmail.com vicky nicolsonjames@gmail.com WhatsApp: 07790 162067

HEALINGS, INSIGHT READINGS, PERSONAL GROWTH COACHING, ANIMAL COMMUNICATION Healings, insights into life path and situations, space and guidance to explore and help re-align with our inner truth.

Also offer help understanding our animals’ behaviour and needs. Enquiries: Kohra 01544 262 110, kohra@gmx.co.uk 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 in Kentchurch, Hereford and Monmouth.

Juliet Ablett www.julietablett.co.uk julietablett@rocketmail.com 01981 241456 HOLISTIC MASSAGE THERAPY: Meg Lawrence MTI. A listening and sensitive therapy, treating the whole person.

For relief from aches and pains, easing of occupational and postural tensions, providing relaxation and calm in peaceful surroundings, 20 minutes from Presteigne, Hay-on-Wye and Kington. Email meg@radnorshire.com; phone or text 07910892172 HYPNOTHERAPY Vicky Nicolson-James DipHP HWHP Herefordshire based empathetic hypnotherapist offering online or 1-1 therapy to help you live the life you want and deserve. Professional Hypnotherapy Practitioner Association and National Society of Hypnotherapy.

T:01568 760 306 E: vickynicolsonjames@gmail.com WhatsApp: 07790 162067.

LEOMINSTER NATURAL HEALTH CENTRE Chiropractic, Herbal Medicine, Kinesiology, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Reiki, Reflexology, Emmet technique. Remedial and Holistic Massage.

Counselling inc: Couples and Family, Cognitive Behaviour and NLP Stress Management, Child Birth Issues, Psychotherapy. Telephone 01568 616411 email infoleominstercommunitycentre@gmail.com Or visit Leominster Community Centre, School Road HR6 8NJ (behind Bridge Street car park).

MASSAGE THERAPY WITH MARIAN HARDIMAN (MTI, CNHC, MLDUK). Remedial, Sports, Holistic, Indian Head Massage. Organic Facial and Manual Lymph Drainage. Clinic in Presteigne (The Retreat), Presteigne, LD8 2UF. Contact: marian@silvanmassage.com, www.silvanmassage.com, 07816 981454.

MASSAGE, COACHING, YOGA, DECLUTTERING with Wellbeing Therapist Sophie Atkinson, Orleton SY8 Individual powerful sessions to help you create the space you need for the life you want. Web: www.sophieatkinson.co.uk Mob: 07930 353 118 Email: sophie@healing-energy.net MINDFULNESS Alithea Waterfield MBCT teacher offering Mindful Walks in Nature, 8-week Mindfulness courses and Mindfulness Guided Meditations. Committed to helping you reconnect with a more authentic and compassionate self and develop skills to manage life’s challenges resourcefully, skillfully and creatively.

07899 361316 alitheawaterfield@gmail.com www. midwalesmindfulness.co.uk 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 SPIRITUAL HEALER. 30 years plus experience.

One-on-one healing and ‘introduction to healing’ workshops. “If you truly know yourself you will truly know freedom”. Please contact Gilly Williamson, MNFSH, Field House, Kinnerton. 01547 560874.

YOGA IN PRESTEIGNE Group classes - both live and online.

Individual tuition in Stapleton.

Moving consciously with the breath

Marie Hudson 01544 260352 www.theyogapractice.org.uk

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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. 07811 816637.

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

THE BODY CLINIC LEOMINSTER HEALTH Health Assessments, Massage, Sports Therapy, Acupuncture, K-Laser, Yoga, Thai-Chi, Thai Massage, Reflexology, Counselling, Mindfulness, Reiki. Support with rehabilitation, pain, long term health conditions, womens and mens health, mental health, fertility and pregnancy. www.thebodyclinicleominster 01568 368907, 07493 078566, thebodyclinicleominster@gmail.com 17 West Street, HR6 8EP

YOGA & AYURVEDA Individual yoga practice. Diet. Exercise. Life Balance.

Jill Bonner BA PGCE Art. DIPL Yoga Therapy.

DIPL Ayurveda Therapy. Details 07789 428109.

TRANSFORMATIONAL COACHING & COUNSELLING WITH WENDY YOUNG Compassionate and focussed conversations and body-centred processes to heal developmental & emotional trauma and core wounding.

This supports your transformational journey of becoming and living your authentic and joyful self. I offer a FREE 30 mins discovery call to answer your questions and see if it feels right for us to work together. Online nationally and in-person in Llanidloes, mid-Wales. For more info and to book call 07388 491 990; email wendy@ wiselivingworld.com; website www.wiselivingworld.com.

First Saturday of the month MEDITATION For beginners or experienced meditators. run by The Bleddfa Centre, held at Cascob, near Presteigne, 11am-12.30pm, donations £3-£5, 01547 550377.

Workshops WORKSHOP LISTINGS - Single (dated) listings are free.

Year round, ongoing workshops will cost £40 per year.

FELDENKRAIS Awareness Through Movement Classes. Learn to move more freely, with greater ease, flexibility and grace, improving posture, balance and coordination; and awakening our innate capacity for life long vitality and continuing self development. Tenbury at S.E.N.S.E. Wednesdays 7pm - 8pm. £7 per class. Open to all. Contact Jane for more information on janesethi@ yahoo.co.uk Booking essential.

ONLINE MINDFUL YOGA CLASSES Slow down, soften and turn inwards. Move and breath your way back into a natural state of vibrant well-being.

Join via Zoom weekly on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6:15pm - 7:30pm. Classes are small, friendly and suitable for all levels of flexibility and experience. For more info and to book call Wendy Young 07388 491 990; email wendy@wiselivingworld.com; website www.wiselivingworld.com/mindful-hatha-yoga/

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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.

Every Saturday RIVER FLOW YOGA With Graham Nolan. Mixed ability, open to all.

The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, 9.30am, 01497 821762, phone to check class is on.

Sundays REST AND RESTORE Meditation session. Pot & Page, 8 New St, Ledbury, 4.30pm, £8.50, food and drink included, 01531 248743.

Mondays MAMA MOJO YOGA FLOW The Hive, Belmont, Shrewsbury, 10.30am, £6, 01743 234970.

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.

Thursdays TAI CHI FOR HEALTH Designed for health and those suffering with arthritus.

Mid Wales Arts Centre, Caersws, near Newtown, 1-2pm, 01686 688369.

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.

Hedgerow Medicine