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The Festival Ceilidh

Herefordshire’s twenty-piece Bandemonium band and their caller play reels and jigs for an evening of country dancing and high spirits. Come on your own or as a group. Come and join in. Happy beginners and children welcome.

Nick Robinson talks to Peter Florence – Live from Downing Street

The BBC star political editor tells of the battles for the right to tell the public about the decisions taken on their behalf.

Sponsored by FW Golesworthy

Emma Jones, Liz Daniel, Emily Penrose – Women in Business Forum

Want to start your own business in the New Year? Meet two local successful entrepreneurs from Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages and Hay Baby childrenswear, and get the low-down on finance, marketing and social media from Enterprise Nation’s Emma Jones, author of Country Living book Turn Your Talent Into A Business. Chaired by Kitty Corrigan.

Supported by Hay & District Chamber of Commerce

Christmas Crafts

From finger-print robins to glittering garlands, Booth’s will be bursting with all kinds of fun and festive things to make and do. Pop in at any time during the morning for face-painting and competitions too!

Make a Book in a Day

Acclaimed author Jenny Valentine will explore the writing and crafting of short stories, before Paul Thomas (BWA Design) steps in to get hands-on with formatting and style. You’ll leave having created a completely unique book from start to finish. Bring a packed lunch.

Charity Quiz of The Year

Who won the Booker? The Heptathlon? Ohio? Come and tour the year's hot stories from Leveson to Greggs. Teams of four, and crazy prizes.... 

Sponsored by The Radnor Arms

James Marriott – The Oil Road: Journeys from the Caspian Sea to the City of London

BP’s oil line from Russia to the West via Iran is one of the most ambitious and contentious adventures in the scramble of global powers in the energy wars. Over a thousand miles long, it weaves a route around the Russian and Iranian borders, transporting oil and gas to hungry Western markets. The authors look at the reality behind the pipeline’s gleaming façade and reveal the hidden history of an iconic project that is also a metaphor for our age.

Sponsored by Caplor Energy

Michael Davies & Sean Davies – The Last King of Wales

Revealing the King in all his glory, this first biography of one of Wales’ greatest figures explores the life and legacy of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn’s rule 1013-1063.

Sponsored by Mostlymaps.com

Skye Meredith – The Nutcracker

It is Christmas Eve and a young girl is given a nutcracker doll by her mysterious godfather, Drosselmeyer. Come and join storyteller Skye Meredith on a journey into the magical world of The Nutcracker.

Sponsored by Shepherds

Skye Meredith – The Nutcracker Felt-making Workshop

Following the story (event 9) there will be the chance for a limited number of children to take part in a workshop with Skye, where we will make felt pictures from the story. 

Sponsored by Shepherds

Kevin Jackson – The Constellation of Genius

A glorious study of the remarkable year 1922 and the passing of an old world: the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the end of British Liberalism, the thwarting of Marcus Garvey's dreams for a new Africa. Ulysses was published, Proust died and Hollywood transformed the nature of fame, making Charlie Chaplin the most recognisable man on the planet. Hitchcock directed his first feature, Kandinsky and Klee joined the Bauhaus and Louis Armstrong took the train from New Orleans to Chicago, heralding the beginning of modern jazz.

Sponsored by www.thebearhay.com

Jenny Valentine – Iggy & Me

A wonderful series of family stories featuring the mishaps and shenanigans of the irrepressible 5-year-old Iggy, as seen through the eyes of her big sister Flo. 

Ben Fogle – The Accidental Naturalist

For as long as he can remember, Ben Fogle has been surrounded by creatures great and small. Beginning with Liberty and Lexington, the family dogs, Milly the puma-sized cat, Jaws the goldfish and three very ‘charismatic’ parrots, he was destined for a life among animals.

Sponsored by Jenesis

Gavin Francis – Empire Antarctica: Ice, Silence & Emperor Penguins

One man, fourteen months, the world’s loneliest continent, minus 50°C, and the magnificent Emperor Penguins for company through a summer of perpetual sunshine into winter months of darkness.

Sponsored by Rohan

Mark Watson – Stand Up

The Hay favourite novelist, activist and comedian is inspiring, exacting and very, very funny.

Sponsored by West Ent

Hay Castle Tour

Hay Castle, once a great medieval stronghold, is alive with possibilities once again. Find out more with Mary Morgan on a guided tour of the 12th Century keep, Jacobean mansion and Victorian service buildings. Includes tea and a bun.

Supported by Hay Castle Trust

John Bird talks to Peter Florence – The Necessity of Poverty

The founder of The Big Issue mounts a blistering attack on orthodox thinking around the gap between rich and poor, sparing neither himself nor others in identifying what needs to be done to end poverty.

Sponsored by Hay Deli

Christmas Crafts

From finger-print robins to glittering garlands, Booth’s will be bursting with all kinds of fun and festive things to make and do. Pop in at any time this morning for face-painting and competitions too!

Derek Niemann – Birds in a Cage

The remarkable untold story of a group of POWs who, through a shared love of birds, overcame hunger, hardship and boredom to bring purpose and dignity to their lives behind barbed wire. Under the gaze of Nazi guards, they founded a secret birdwatching society, and their legacy lives on in institutions such as the RSPB and the British Wildlife Trust.

Sponsored by RSPB Cymru

Kate Maryon – Children’s Writing Workshop Age 9-14

Join the author with her latest book A Sea of Stars to learn what inspires her plots and characters, get tips and guidance on how to write your own stories.