Hay Festival 2020 is cancelled

Gruffudd ap Llywelyn took control of SE Wales in 1055. He then turned his attention to Herefordshire and the border country. He attacked the city of Hereford and destroyed the Cathedral. He wintered at Llangorse Lake and in 1056 he scored a major victory over an English army near Glasbury-on-Wye.

It’s now ten years since the invasion of Iraq, and the UK Armed Forces have been fully engaged in a decade of war. What has been the mental health impact? If you listen to many media accounts you might conclude that nearly everyone who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan ends up in a psychiatric clinic, on the streets or in prison. But what are the facts? What do we know about the actual impact of deployment now, and what can we expect in the future?

Walk through David and Catherine James’s orchards, see how the trees are managed and sample the cider. The fruit is purchased by Bulmers and Gaymers for their premium brands. some of which will be available for tasting! The trees are fertilised by the bees, which produce delicious honey. Look inside the beehives, and learn how honey is made. An extensive range of farm machinery will be laid out for inspection.

9am–1pm

Join the Wye & Usk Foundation trip around the Wye and its tributaries near Hay to see the rare and unusual creatures that live in the river, and to see what progress is being made to restore the run of salmon.

For all outdoors events and walks we recommend walking boots and warm and waterproof clothing. Please bring packed lunches.

The comedian, writer, performer and mental health campaigner suffered bouts of depression throughout her life. She completed her Masters in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy at Oxford in 2012. She explores how we sabotage our sanity, how our brains work and how we can rewire our thinking – often through simple mindfulness techniques – to find calm in a frenetic world. 

The author of The Demonic: Literature And Experience examines scenes from Othello, Hamlet, The Tempest and Measure For Measure and discusses how to teach Shakespeare with imagination and intensity.

Using archaeological and DNA evidence Cunliffe tells the story of the origins of the British and the Irish peoples, from the retreat of the last Ice Age around 10,000bc to the eve of the Norman Conquest.

Taking the audience on a spectacular, enchanting journey across Wales and its glorious landscape, Wilson uses photos from the book to talk about his work, his inspirations and how to set about capturing the perfect image. Chaired by Carolyn Hitt.

What do we need to do to deliver the resilient ecosystem services needed by all of us, every day? As part of the Landmarc 100 Innovations Scheme, this is the first in a series of open invitation workshops, conversations and presentations designed to inspire applicants, tackle the big issues of sustainability, and take the great ideas you’ve jotted on the back of beer mats or napkins and make them real.

An opportunity to learn about the geology of the area from James Creswell, a local expert. 

3.5 miles. Slow pace to facilitate observation. One steep ascent. Walking boots essential.

To book, visit haywalking.org/hayfestival or call 01544 327 121.

Adam Blade brings the Beast Quest adventures to life – and gives us a glimpse of the excitement to come in brand new Sea Quest.

7+ years

The bestselling girls’ favourite author is back with a brand new book in the Chocolate Box Girls series, which began with Cherry Crush.

9+ years

The creator of the Eddy And The Bear stories, which became a Bafta Award-winning television series, is here to bring you Nat The Cat’s Sunny Smile.

4+ years

Join us in making Mini Spanish Omelettes, Welsh Sushi, Giant Chocolate Waffles, Sicilian Chicken and No Bake Cheesecakes. The menu will be rotated between sessions on a daily basis.

5–8 years – children must be accompanied

Please arrive in good time for the start of this event; we regret that latecomers may not be permitted entry.

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

Please note: There are two tours, one starting at 10am and one starting at 11am. Please book for the tour you wish to attend, using the variant boxes below. 

Join Adele Nozedar, author of The Hedgerow Handbook, for a foraging walk around Hay. Families and children welcome.

For all outdoors events and walks we recommend walking boots and warm and waterproof clothing.

Entry to this event is free but you must reserve a ticket.

Melanie Whitehead leads this participatory workshop for families and children, introducing themes and scenes from Shakespeare’s play, which pitches Rosalind and Orlando on the run into the forest of Arden. Maria Aberg’s new production with music by Laura Marling opens on 12 April.

Families and children 10+ years

On the 20th anniversary of publication of his iconic tale of disaster and endurance in the first Iraq War, the Special Forces veteran revisits the story with new material.

In 2009, as in 1933, a charismatic president succeeded a discredited one at a time of economic crisis. Obama and his advisers explicitly looked to FDR for policy models. Despite his re-election in 2012, Obama has lost control of the House, where Republicans stymie attempts to avoid the fiscal cliff. Economic recovery is partial and largely jobless. The prospects for his second term look unpromising in a highly polarised politics. Did Obama learn the right lessons from the New Deal? Chaired by Stephanie Flanders.

Michael Ramsey Prize shortlisted authors, Victor Lee Austin, Luke Bretherton, John Gillibrand, Paula Gooder, Michael Lodahl and Thomas Yoder Neufeld share the experience of being nominated for one of the world’s most prestigious theology prizes and explain what their titles contribute to the world of contemporary theology.

The extraordinary life of Cambridge’s first professor of Spanish; an undergraduate peer of Keynes and Rupert Brooke, he fought at Ypres before falling in love with Spain in the ’20s and ’30s, where he became a close friend of Manuel de Falla, Federico García Lorca, Salvador Dali and Luis Buñuel.

What do we need to do to deliver the resilient ecosystem services needed by all of us, every day? Join us to take the great ideas you’ve jotted on the back of beer mats or napkins and make them real.

Fascinating facts and the kind of advice you won’t get anywhere else from the bestselling and double-Blue Peter Best Book with Facts-winning Mitchell Symons.

7+ years

Emma Dodd shares her beautifully executed story, in which the well-known fairy tale is retold with a pachyderm heroine and a trunk-load of charm.

4+ years