Hay Festival 2014

Listen to an evening with the phenomenal comedian.

Part 1: Watching War Films With My Dad

In the first part Al discusses his passion for history with James Holland. Growing up in the 1970s, Al, with the help of his dad, became fascinated with the history of World War Two. They didn’t go to football; they went to battlefields. Because like so many of his generation whose childhood was all about Airfix, Action Man and Where Eagles Dare, he grew up in the cultural wake of the Second World War…

Part 2: The Pub Landlord – The Only Way Is Epic

In the second part Al brings his legendary stand-up character to Hay Festival. Britain’s most irrepressible inn-keeper will be serving up his premier brew of ale-inspired acumen and bar-room buffoonery.

“An exceptional balancing act. Performing in his short-sleeved white shirt, with a working beer pump behind him, Murray’s interaction with his crowd remains one of the wonders of the comedy world…satire with scope and a real sting.” The Times

“It’s wickedly witty stuff, and the knowledge that Murray is in fact a staunch, rather high-born Europhile with an MA in modern history makes this outwardly boorish satire on British provincialism more seductive still – right down, in fact, to the occasional guilt-ridden moment of doubt as to exactly what it is you’re laughing at.” The Telegraph

How do we identify the true scientific experts? And how do we avoid false scientific‘controversies’ like the MMR debacle and Climategate? The two Cardiff University professors draw on work from Collins’ provocative new book.

A tribute to the politician, diarist and orator recreates one of his great Hay evenings with a rallying anthology of great songs and speeches of dissent and protest.

The winning author of the £10,000 Independent Foreign Fiction Prize for the best work of contemporary fiction in translation, Arab writer Hassan Blasim, discusses his book with judge Boyd Tonkin, The Independent’s Senior Writer and Columnist. Hassan Blasim won the prize for his second short story collection The Iraqi Christ, translated by Jonathan Wright and published by Comma Press.

Tour led by Paul Belford, Director of Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust.

Come and share your thoughts about Radio 4’s Sunday morning current affairs magazine programme with presenter, Paddy O’Connell and hear how the show is put together ahead of Sunday’s broadcast.   Not for broadcast.

Broadcasting House goes out every Sunday at 9am – 10am on BBC Radio 4

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18.

FREE BUT TICKETED

World Fish Migration Day 2014 is a one-day global initiative to create awareness of the importance of open rivers and migratory fish. The talk may be followed by a trip to the rivers Lugg and Arrow to see some of the 33 fish passes that are allowing salmon to recolonise this important Wye tributary. 

The Rhondda MP discusses his wonderful, wry view of the history of parliament from the C13th to 1801. Bracing for anyone who ever thought that modern MPs were more corrupt or worse behaved than their predecessors.

Where does Homer come from? And why does Homer matter? His epic poems of war and suffering can still speak to us of the role of destiny in life, of cruelty, of humanity and its frailty; but why they do is a mystery. How can we be so intimate with something so distant? The author ‘travels in the realms of gold’ with the Leventis Professor of Greek Culture.

WINNER OF THE 2014 BOLLINGER EVERYMAN WODEHOUSE AWARD FOR COMIC FICTION

A fabulous comedy from the bestselling author of the Patrick Melrose novels, who presents a wickedly entertaining insight into a sniping world of literature, celebrity culture and ambition, explored through the judges and contenders of the Elysian Prize for Literature.

Two novels explore the disturbance of the past. Healey’s Elizabeth is Missing is both a detective story and a haunting depiction of dementia. The characters in Murray’s Sugar Hall probe the secret history of a Forest of Dean mansion. Chaired by Sameer Rahim.

Tour led by Paul Belford, Director of Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust.

Join the bestselling author and illustrator of the wildly popular series, How To Train Your Dragon, as she talks to Peter Florence. With the second DreamWorks movie out this summer, get the scoop on how Hiccup became a ‘hottie’ and be the first to hear about The Incomplete Book of Dragons, a beautifully illustrated guide to the dragon world Cressida has created. Unmissable!         
8+ years

Fans of the loveable little puppy are in for a treat as he celebrates his birthday. Come along for games, activities and fun with professional storyteller Liz Fost and, of course, Kipper himself.
3+ years

This new book from the co-writer with Andy McNab of SAS series Boy Soldier is a compelling action adventure story of bravery, betrayal and first love during wartime.
10+ years

Come and discover the secret world that lives in your garden with the RSPB. Grab a net and see what amazing creatures are hiding in the leaves and lurking underwater. Make a Bee and Bug B&B to take home and give nature a home in your garden.

4–12 years