Hay Festival Winter Weekend 2025

Wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin was just a child when he discovered his love of nature, and found that the dyslexia he struggled with at school helped him foster his connection with the natural world.

Join Yassin, who grabbed the nation’s hearts as the winner of Strictly Come Dancing, as he reveals how and why his fascination with the outdoors has persisted, and shares stories of some incredible moments from his career, as told in his new book Homeward Bound.

From studying Zoology with Conservation at Bangor University to learning to ring fence birds, Wales has been a fixture in his story and love of nature. Giving a peek into the life of a wildlife cameraman, Yassin shares the joys and wonder of Mother Nature, on display at her finest all around Hay and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

Yassin regularly appears on The One Show and Countryfile, and his latest BBC documentary is Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles. He talks to presenter Kate Bliss.

Take to the fresh air with broadcaster and author Kate Humble, and explore the border between England and Wales, which wraps itself tightly around Hay-on-Wye.

As well as taking in the beautiful countryside, chat to Humble about her mixed livestock farm Humble by Nature, her love of the countryside and work on television, and about why she thinks taking a daily walk is as essential as that first cup of tea to make her feel good for the rest of the day. Mountain guide Sarah Price of Walk Hay will join her in leading the walk.

Actor, artist, and conservation activist James Murray MBE looks at the current crisis facing our rivers from pollution, overextraction and poor management.

Murray grew up in Hereford and is a passionate campaigner for improvements in river quality, including the River Wye. The river, which is protected for its importance to rare wildlife including endangered Atlantic salmon, is suffering ecological decline and under threat from agricultural run-off, sewage pollution, climate change and other pressures.

A lifelong fly fisherman, Murray founded Activist Anglers in 2023 to empower and educate anglers to protect their local waterways. James is an ambassador for the Atlantic Salmon Trust; he also hosts the acclaimed podcast The Last Salmon and is instrumental in Project White Hart, a pioneering salmon restoration effort for the Test and Itchen chalkstreams where he lives.

Murray, who has starred in The Crown and Masters of the Air, will be in conversation with investigative journalist Nicola Cutcher, who co-produced a documentary about the polluted state of Britain's rivers and is a lead campaigner for Friends of the River Wye.

Murray combines his passion for conservation with creativity. This event is also a chance to see one of Murray’s paintings from his Creatures of Light series, where he sank 10 canvases in key salmon rivers across the UK, including the Wye, during spawning season, retrieved them, then painted on them.

Floral artist Layla Robinson creates an incredible everlasting floral piece live on stage, as she discusses her creative process and offers inspiration on how to brighten up your home with flowers.

Robinson, who lives locally and is the author of Everlasting Blooms, will speak to writer and editor Kitty Corrigan about her passion for sustainability and how she weaves it into all her work, and about growing and drying her own flowers. In Everlasting Blooms, Robinson sets out 25 floristry projects that can be done at home.

This is a chance to experience the work of a renowned floral artist in the heart of the wild and beautiful landscape that inspires her every day.

Criminal psychologist Julia Shaw investigates gangs who terrorise communities, committing horrendous environmental crimes against people and the planet.

In her book Green Crime, she looks at cases – including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Dieselgate emissions scandal, and the Shuidong wildlife crime syndicate – and reveals how, following their every move, are secret agents, vigilantes and scientists fighting to foil their criminal acts.

She talks to scientist, writer and broadcaster Adam Rutherford about who commits these crimes against the planet, and how we can better protect our natural resources.