A hand-picked guide to what's was on in Herefordshire in August 2020, mixing creative events, cultural activities and hidden gems.
Curator's Picks
Reconnection is the (well chosen) theme of this year's Out to Nature exhibition, which has moved to Pensons, near Bromyard, for 2020.
The sculpture and art exhibition runs from August 29 to September 13 and raises money for Cartshed, the Herefordshire and Worcestershire based mental health charity.
Organisers said: "With so many cultural events cancelled this year, Out of Nature will provide the local community and visitors from further afield with a rare opportunity to view, appreciate and purchase sculpture and other works of art in a beautiful rural environment. After the challenges and confinement of lockdown we believe, more than ever, in the importance of reconnecting with the natural beauty of landscape and art as a channel for finding solace and inspiration in an unpredictable world."
Entry will be ticket only, booked in advance.
From 2pm-3pm on August 15th, join Meadow Arts to explore Yinka Shonibare CBE’s Creatures of the Mappa Mundi and make a contemporary art postcard with artist Jill Impey.
Jill says: "In the workshop we will create a postcard artwork, reflecting the themes of the Creatures of the Mappa Mundi project, which was delivered by Meadow Arts and exhibited at Hereford Cathedral, the home of the medieval Mappa Mundi. We will use elements of Yinka Shonibare’s colour, shape, texture, pattern, and his ideas about caring and equality. We will explore words, create a collage background and a creature to place on top, using recycled and easily available materials."
Get involved on Meadow Arts' Insta page. It's all part of the Worcester Festival 2020.
Arts Alive @ Home is sharing Puppet State Theatre's 2019 Edinburgh Fringe recording of the show The Man who Planted Trees on Thursday, August 20 (2.30pm).
After the family story, there'll be a live post- show discussion with storyteller Richard Medrington and puppeteer Rick Conte. Email cerin@artsalive.co.uk to access that.
Designed for adults and 7+.
Hello live music, we've missed you.
Barbar Cafe in Union Street, Hereford, is hosting a socially distanced gig in the garden on Thursday August 6. And there's curry. They say: "Please book for your bubble groups of 1, 2 , 3 and 4. If have have difficulty finding the format you want, please get in touch and we will try to accommodate you."
Doors open at 5pm, and the band strike up at 8pm.
Barbar is also hosting outdoor book club meetings. Head to their Facebook to find out more.
Hosted and curated by the Young Creatives Board, Hereford First Friday is about getting together to enjoy creative work.
The YCB, whose members are all young creatives based in the county, took the event online after the IRL multi-venue exhibition was postponed because of lockdown.
At 8pm on August 7, their live broadcast on YouTube will feature new work by the Ledbury Poetry Festival's young Writer's Collective alongside an interview and performance by Hereford musician Josh Lamdin.
It's tough for the Shire's heritage sites right now, so it's great to see these National Trust gardens and estates back open for pre-booked visits.
Right now you can head to Croft Castle & Parkland, Brockhamption and Berrington Hall.
They say: "We're starting to reopen some National Trust gardens and parks, as well as car parks, in line with government guidance. You will need to book your visit in advance. We'll be opening new places when we can, so check back each week."
Angela Jones has been wild swimming in the Wye for 30+ years.
On Sunday August 16 she's hosting a guided 3.5k walk and 3.5k swim - socially distanced and following Gov guidelines - along the river Wye from Ross.
She says: "This session will take in the glorious surroundings of the river Wye and explore the beauty of the riverbanks before swimming downstream. You will learn about reading the river and Angela will share swimming and safety techniques to help you enjoy swimming wild."
Booking is essential.
Get yourself to Bromyard for the town's third annual ArtWalk. Local makers and children will have their creations on show in shop windows from August 22nd to 31st, and you can visit anytime for a socially-distanced saunter.
The town-wide trail has been organised by Bromyard Community Arts group, who set themselves up a while back to promote local arts and creative events. During lockdown the group got involved in Sewing Scrubs for Bromyard, making 65 sets of cotton scrubs, 30 gowns and 90 masks for frontline NHS staff and carers.
Get green, garden and sustainable living inspo at the Hellens Garden Festival Reimagined, which takes place online on August 22 and 23.
The festival - a "weekend of wonder" which celebrates the planet, wildlife and natural habitats - will be live on YouTube. Festival organisers have been busy recording sessions with gurus and leading gardeners, adn the line-up features live talks, herbal workshops, and virtual dowsing. Yep, even dowsing has gone digital.
The 2020 festival will raise money for St Michael's Hospice and Back to the Wild CIC.
