A hand-picked guide to what was on in Herefordshire in August 2022, mixing creative events, cultural activities and hidden gems.
Curator's Picks
Culture doesn't always need four walls, and the Golden Valley Pilgrim Way is proof.
This 60-mile 7-day Pilgrimage walk loops around the rural Golden Valley, starting and ending at Hereford Cathedral. The Pilgrim Way, as it's officially called, links the Wye Valley with the Golden Valley and the flower meadows and foothills of the Black Mountains. Open to All (Bring your own Beliefs).
See britishpilgrimage.org for more about the Way.
Kate Constantine (Konstantina) is an award-winning contemporary Aboriginal dot painter, activist, and storyteller currently in residency with the Sidney Nolan Trust. For this workshop at The Rodd in Presteigne, she will introduce you to her way of contemporary Aboriginal dot painting, how to create ochre and explore the significance of colour while you create an artwork inspired by storytelling and the mindful use of colour.
"This is a two-way learning and sharing time for those participants who would like to engage with Kate on a deeper level."
Suitable for 16 and over. £45 per person inclusive of entry to The Rodd and all materials.
This ongoing exhibition, Strangers: world views and marginalising the 'Other', runs at Hereford Cathedral's Mappa Mundi and Chained Library and explores how humans throughout history have covered their fear of the unknown with distorted misinterpretations of the 'Other'.
Alongside the strange peoples drawn on the edges of the Hereford Mappa Mundi, there's a closer look at the Magna Carta in the context of its imperialist uses, and a rare Torah scroll, loaned by the Memorial Scrolls Trust.
Last chance to view is September 3rd 2022.
The first full River Carnival since 2018 and, quite rightly, this year's theme is Making Waves / A Day at the Seaside
The annual event takes place in and around Hereford city centre, Castle Green, Bishops Meadow and all along the riverbank on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th. Expect colour, sound, spectable and heaps of community spirit.
Dressing up strongly encouraged.
Iamge credit: www.facebook.com/rivercarnival
Portraits of Writers at recently reopened Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye, brings together portraits of celebrated British individuals, who identify as writers. The collection comes from the National Portrait Gallery and guest curator is author and journalist, Dylan Jones.
£3 entry. Hay Castle is open 10am-5pm daily.
Image Credit: Jan Morris by Arturo Di Stefano, 2004-2005 © National Portrait Gallery, London
Returning to Hereford's Museum Resource and Learning Centre on August 2nd, this live talk reveals why heritage folk are getting all excited about the Viking-era Herefordshire Hoard discovered at Eye near Leominster. Equally exciting is the story surrounding the rediscovery - as this treasure buried in the 9th century was dug up by metal detectorists without permission who sold a fair amount illegally before being caught and prosecuted.
Tickets, £5, are available from the Black and White House Museum in Hereford city.
Hay Theatre CIC present a promenade adaptation of Alice in Wonderland in the grounds of St Mary's Church, Cusop, near Hay-on-Wye.
"Walk your way through Wonderland. Follow Alice on her adventures in this family friendly event. Meet the White Rabbit, be amazed at the Caucus Race animals, be cool with the Caterpillar, grin with the Cheshire Cat, dally with the Duchess and her Frog Footman, sneeze with the Cook, laugh at Tweedledum and Tweedledee's fight, be a guest at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, lose your Flower's head to the Queen of Hearts, be flabbergasted by flamingo croquet and dancing playing cards, sob with the Mock Turtle and the Gryphon, end up in the King's Court and enjoy the music of the Wonderland Band throughout."
Hope Cramsie, who hails from Herefordshire, will play classical guitar music from Renaissance and Baroque through to the 21st century at her Concerts for Craswell debut on August 7th.
Tickets start at £7.
The inclusive workshops at The Courtyard Centre for Arts in Hereford, designed for ages 8-15, include the whole host of drama, dance and arts & crafts activities, with practitioners running the sessions experienced in working with young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.
To book a place contact Rebecca Cook on 01432 346511 or email rebecca.cook@courtyard.org.uk.
£100 for the week. £50 for half days (10.30am-1pm).
The 8th Down on the Farm festival from Gwatkins Cider, once again aiming to give local bands the opportunity to play live on stage alongside established tourers.
The 2022 line-up features The Navarones, Wellard Willy, Burnt Out Wreck, and comes to a close with Duran Duranish. All hail whoever came up with that name.
Five years in the making but Hereford Indie Food is back for 2022. A Rule of Tum's two-day festival of "food, music, makers, and suppliers that celebrate the best Herefordshire has to offer."
Alongside the good food, there'll be DJ sets from Trevor Nelson, Everything Everything, and Daddy G.
£4 for day time tickets, £18 for evening + booking fees.
