Back this summer for its eighth edition, Ludlow Fringe Festival has announced its colourful programme for 2019. Bursting with some of the liveliest, most entertaining performances from local, national and international acts, there’s something special to appeal to culture vultures of all ages.
With more than 100 events, across 40 venues, over 16 days – you’re guaranteed to find an event that will blow your mind.
Highlights include Shakespeare in Ludlow Castle production of Henry V and our Comedy nights at Ludlow Brewery with great stand up comics including Mark Thomas, Nick Helm, Lou Sanders and Stephen Carlin.
A wide range of arts, community and cultural events spread over two weeks. Check out the website for details of the many individual events. https://www.ludlowfringe.co.uk/whats-on
Shropshire’s largest farmers market, boasting 35 stalls of fresh local produce including meats, dairy, fruit and vegetables, baked goods, artisan charcuterie, apple juice, plants and some craft. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday throughout the year, for more information see www.localtoludlow.org.uk
From Cabaret to Klezmer
£12.50 advance, includes light supper
Do you want to know more about Oswestry? Hear about our history as you wander around the town with one of our local guides, listen to myths and legends as you stroll through the parks and alleyways of our border market town – then come on a guided tour.
Large selection of rum & gin from all over the world
Some of the UK’s top cyclo-cross riders will ride modern bikes through Blists Hill Victorian Town as part of a challenging cycling event. The exciting Queen Victoria Cyclo-Cross will attract in excess of 300 of the UK’s top riders.
The Museum has once again teamed up with the organisers of Newport’s famous Nocturne cycle race and will host this unique urban cyclo-cross event on the evening of Saturday 29 June.
Visitors to the event will be able to see some of the best cyclists from around the country taking part in some unusual and formidable challenges across the recreated Victorian town. In between races you’ll be able to wander around the Town and explore the industrial monuments and landmarks of the 52-acre site.
Previous editions have been very successful, and the event was described in Cycling Weekly magazine as “Britain’s Craziest Bike Race”! This year the unique course has been improved whilst retaining the fearsome Hay Inclined Plane.
The gates open at 5.15pm and the first race will start at 6pm; spectators are welcome for a small charge, payable at the gate; children under 16 will be free of charge and must be accompanied by an adult.
Admission tickets are £4 per spectator. Museum Passports are not valid for this evening and dogs are allowed, but only on a lead.
Antiques and collectibles fair, we hold it the last Sunday of every month. Cambrian House Emporium Oswestry.
One of the most fun and rewarding events you’ll ever do, created for anyone of any fitness level to participate in walk, jog or run it’s fun for the whole family plus it’s all in aid of Macmillan.
More information to follow.
The House of The Black Star present a 1940’s themed day at the Castle. Browse their stalls, play the traditional games and learn about rations and life on the Home Front.
Every summer since 1947 Llangollen has staged one of the world’s most inspirational cultural festivals. Each year around 4,000 performers and as many as 50,000 visitors converge on this beautiful small Welsh town and its International Pavilion; to sing and dance in a unique combination of competition, performance, and international peace and friendship.
Our Ranger Team will meet you in the car park at 21:00 (20:30 in August) and show you the best spot to watch the bats emerging for the night.
Then using bat detectors they’ll lead a walk through the gardens, picking up all of the best spots and passing on their expert local knowledge. Expected finish time 22:30 (22:00 in August).
Starter and Main £25 per person – £5 deposit required upon booking
Hawkstone Park is bringing back Follies Fest, for a wonderful weekend of family entertainment on Friday 5th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July 2019.
Set against the breath-taking woodland landscape of caves, crags and cliffs, the stage will be set for comedy and music.
Friday will host a night of comedy, with Birmingham-based compere, James Cook as MC for the night. James joins the festivities after recent tour dates with Gary Delaney (Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo) and Paul Sinha (The Chase).
Hawkstone are thrilled to have Mitch Benn headlining the line-up. He is one of the most sought-after acts on the comedy circuit, and widely acknowledged as one of the best writer/performers of comic songs in the country. Mitch is a regular writer and performer on The Now Show for BBC Radio 4, and It’s Been a Bad Week for BBC Radio 2. He also has the successful Radio 4 show Mitch Benn’s Crimes Against Music and presents The Mitch Benn Music Show on BBC Radio 7. As well as regularly appearing on television shows, including BBC1’s The One Show.
Eddy Brimson completes the line-up. He has featured in several TV and radio shows, along with penning seven books. He has taken to the stage internationally from Norway to China, and was one of the first ever comics to perform in Myanmar. He is a regular at the Edinburgh Festival and is one of the most in demand acts on the UK comedy circuit. Prepare to laugh the night away!
The Saturday show is a must for lovers of musicals, with three acts all boasting west end credentials, sure to transport you to the heart of theatre land.
‘A Night at the Musicals’ features four of the West End’s leading vocalists, recreating the magic of all your favourite musicals. They will be performing songs from Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, and many more.
‘The Spinettes’ are a trio of starlets set to bring some vintage glamour to the occasion. They will be sprinkling some retro sparkle on the event with their toe-tapping talent.
‘The West End Jerseys’ will be bringing the sounds of the 50’s and 60’s to life. Slick routines, tight harmonies and the unmistakable falsetto sound of Frankie Valli will fill the Follies, with all members of the group bringing their West End talent to the fore.
Sunday will a special day of family fun at the follies with standard admission prices applying.
Tickets for the Friday and Saturday evening shows can be purchased at http://www.hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk/tickets/
Hawkstone Park is bringing back Follies Festival, for a wonderful weekend of family entertainment on Friday 5th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July 2019.Set against the breath-taking woodland landscape of caves, crags and cliffs, the stage will be set for comedy and music.
Friday will host a night of comedy, with Birmingham-based compere, James Cook as MC for the night. James joins the festivities after recent tour dates with Gary Delaney (Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo) and Paul Sinha (The Chase). Hawkstone are thrilled to have Mitch Benn headlining the line-up. He is one of the most sought-after acts on the comedy circuit, and widely acknowledged as one of the best writer/performers of comic songs in the country. Mitch is a regular writer and performer on The Now Show for BBC Radio 4, and It’s Been a Bad Week for BBC Radio 2. He also has the successful Radio 4 show Mitch Benn’s Crimes Against Music and presents The Mitch Benn Music Show on BBC Radio 7. As well as regularly appearing on television shows, including BBC1’s The One Show. Eddy Brimson completes the line-up. He has featured in several TV and radio shows, along with penning seven books. He has taken to the stage internationally from Norway to China, and was one of the first ever comics to perform in Myanmar. He is a regular at the Edinburgh Festival and is one of the most in demand acts on the UK comedy circuit. Prepare to laugh the night away!
The Saturday show is a must for lovers of musicals, with three acts all boasting west end credentials, sure to transport you to the heart of theatre land. ‘A Night at the Musicals’ features four of the West End’s leading vocalists, recreating the magic of all your favourite musicals. They will be performing songs from Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, and many more. ‘The Spinettes’ are a trio of starlets set to bring some vintage glamour to the occasion. They will be sprinkling some retro sparkle on the event with their toe-tapping talent. ‘The West End Jerseys’ will be bringing the sounds of the 50’s and 60’s to life. Slick routines, tight harmonies and the unmistakable falsetto sound of Frankie Valli will fill the Follies, with all members of the group bringing their West End talent to the fore.
Sunday will a special day of family fun at the follies with standard admission prices applying. Tickets for the Friday and Saturday evening shows can be purchased from http://www.hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk/tickets/
Paul Evans is one of Britain’s greatest observers of Nature, a poet, musician, Radio 4 natural history broadcaster, and the author of a new book How To See Nature. His weekly Guardian Country Diary from Wenlock Edge has achieved cult status and has put Shropshire on the map. He will be in conversation with legendary rock climber, wilderness writer, and fellow Country Diarist Jim Perrin whose observations of Snowdonia and north Wales and talks on the beauty and importance of wild places are famed for their insights. Expect a thought-provoking start to Oswestry’s first Festival of Nature.
Come along for an outdoor cinema experience, showing The Greatest Showman on the Green at Blists Hill Victorian Town.
Inspired by the imagination of P. T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show-business & tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. The film is rated PG, all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Come along for an outdoor cinema experience, showing The Greatest Showman on the Green at Blists Hill Victorian Town.
Inspired by the imagination of P. T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show-business & tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. The film is rated PG, all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Parking is in the main car park at Blists Hill Victorian Town and the doors will open at 7.30pm.
Bring your own blankets, pillows or low-backed chairs and make yourselves comfy for the show. We’re not providing any seating although some pillows and blankets will be available to hire on the night.
Before the show you are welcome to enjoy the Fairground (pay per ride) and grab something to eat and drink from the Forest Glen Refreshment Pavilion which will be selling alcohol, hot and cold drinks and snacks including popcorn, ice creams, loaded nachos and hotdogs. You can also bring their own food and drink.
The event will take place come rain or shine, so please be well prepared with warm and waterproof clothing. However, in the circumstance of unsafe weather, the event will be rescheduled. Refunds will only be given if you cannot attend the rescheduled date.
Tickets are £15 per person.
Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July 2019
This weekend event incorporates a nostalgic travel back in time to the classic transport of the day.
With an intensive Timetable of Steam, Diesel and Heritage Railcars and a classic bus service running between Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen (10am to 5pm), along with a vintage vehicle display at Glyndyfrdwy.
Further details to follow
Saturday Night on Glyndyfrdwy field there will be live music and a real ale bar
Come on down and join in the fun and see what those classic vehicles were like in their heyday.
If you are interested in exhibiting your classic vehicle, please contact info@llangollen-railway.co.uk
Learn about traditional wildflower and hay meadows, and the tools traditionally used to cut them. Discover the flowers and insects that thrive on them, and the important role they play in our ecosystem.
There will be drop in scything workshops so you can learn about traditional scything techniques and have a go. Also have a go at insect and plant ID in the meadow to see all the varied species meadows support.
Normal admission fee is required to visit the castle or gardens.
Learn about traditional wildflower and hay meadows, and the tools traditionally used to cut them. Discover the flowers and insects that thrive on them, and the important role they play in our ecosystem.
There will be drop in scything workshops so you can learn about traditional scything techniques and have a go. Also have a go at insect and plant ID in the meadow to see all the varied species meadows support.
Normal admission fee is required to visit the castle or gardens.
A new and exciting theatrical train ride. See surprising things as you travel along the line!
A unique event involving 100s of actors, singers and musicians. As your carriage goes slowly by the drama will unfold!
Sit back and enjoy a very unusual theatrical occasion. 5 trains on the day, tickets can only be booked by telephone 01938 810441
See wllr.org.uk for more info
Free family music in the award winning Cae Glas Park. 2pm until 4pm
Our Ranger Team will meet you in the car park at 21:00 (20:30 in August) and show you the best spot to watch the bats emerging for the night.
Then using bat detectors they’ll lead a walk through the gardens, picking up all of the best spots and passing on their expert local knowledge. Expected finish time 22:30 (22:00 in August).
Join number one bestselling author Clare Mackintosh as she talks about her new novel After the End, a gripping and propulsive exploration of love, marriage, parenthood, and the road not taken.
Max and Pip are the strongest couple you know. Only now they’re facing the most important decision of their lives – and they don’t agree. As the consequences of an impossible choice threaten to devastate them both, nothing will ever be the same again. But anything can happen after the end . . .
Combining the depth of emotion that captivated readers of Me Before You, the structural ambition of Life After Life and the impossible choice at the heart of My Sister’s Keeper, Clare Mackintosh’s powerful new novel contains her winning formula of compelling characters and a page-turning plot.
With over two million copies of her books sold worldwide, number one Sunday Times bestseller Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of I Let You Go, I See You and Let Me Lie. We’re delighted to welcome her back to Oswestry to celebrate the publication of After the End – one of the most moving books you’ll read this year!
Tickets: £8 (without book – redeemable against a signed copy of After the End) or £13 (with book – includes a signed copy of After the End). Tickets available from the bookshop or purchase online with booking fee.
Shropshire’s largest farmers market, boasting 35 stalls of fresh local produce including meats, dairy, fruit and vegetables, baked goods, artisan charcuterie, apple juice, plants and some craft. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday throughout the year, for more information see www.localtoludlow.org.uk
information and fund raising for this fantastic organisation. Dogs to pet ! 9am until 2pm
huge food and drink festival and free to visit . loads of local producers
Cae Glas Park hosts local football team TNS who provide plenty of fun free family activities.
We are very pleased to welcome the Wrexham Bowmen to Chirk Castle to offer have-a-go archery over the summer.
Whether you’ve never picked up a bow before or you’re the kind of person who can split someones arrow ‘in twain’ this is a great opportunity to have fun with a beautiful backdrop.
It is £1 for six arrows to take part, with as much or as little help as you require. We can’t guarantee you’ll hit the target, but it’ll be good fun trying!
Cheese and Wine Train
Enjoy a glass of wine and some locally sourced cheese with some tasty crackers while traveling behind a steam train through the beautiful Dee Valley. There will be an on board bar
Reserved seating will be provided for parties of eight or more.
It is not advised that children attend this event.
tickets – £30 per person
Tickets include return train travel to Carrog, a glass of wine and a serving of cheese and crackers
As she makes new friends and encounters magical creatures, Mary has one burning question: where is the location of her uncle’s secret garden, and where has he hidden the key?
Join friends and family as you picnic in the beautiful rose and relive this enchanting tale of secrecy and curiosity in what will be one of the highlights of the summer.
Ludlow will be closing its roads on Saturday 13th July to make way for the third annual Ludlow 10 event. The 10K course takes runners through quaint, medieval streets and past some of Ludlow’s finest landmarks for this special race that closes down the roads in the market town to create a unique experience for the area.
The event is being organised by BeEndurance, who are the team behind the Storm the Castle duathlon, which takes place around Ludlow Castle in the Spring.
Matt Green, who is one of the event organisers, comments on the Ludlow 10 event, “This race has a really unique feel. It starts at 7:15pm which means it is nice and cool for the runners, but it also means runners and spectators can keep the party atmosphere going with celebrations in to the evening, so everyone can come together for a great night out.
“We wanted to create a running experience with a difference, and by closing the roads to unite the town everyone can support the runners and take a moment to appreciate what a beautiful part of the world Ludlow is in.
“The event is in its third year now, and we have been thrilled with the support we have received from runners and sponsors. There are still spaces available, so we urge everyone to visit our website to book yourself a place!”
Estate Agent Samuel Wood will be sponsoring the ‘Fastest Local Athlete Award’ and accountants Thorne Widgery will be honouring the ‘Most Improved and Utterly Inspiring Athlete,’ with Breccon Carreg sponsoring the overall event. There will be medals and post-race massages for all runners at the finish line.
The race starts at the Castle Square in Ludlow and spectators are encouraged to come and cheer on the runners.
Visit ludlow10.com for more information.
The annual Ludlow Green Festival, the biggest event of its type in the region is taking place on Sunday July 14th. This year’s theme ‘21 Years and counting’, inspired by the 21 years that Ludlow 21,the organising body has been in operation. The Green Festival has invited schools and youth groups to get involved with their idea of what the world will look like in 21 years from now. Other activities on the day include a mega swap of clothes and toys, craft activities, cookery demos and ‘bee bomb’ making workshops and an environmentally-conscious market, along with hot food, live music and local beer. Plus also don’t forget the highly inspiring Wrigley Field Allotments being open to members of the public from 11 until 4pm, just a short walk away.
Reggae music all day in Cae Glas Park. Free family event 12pm until 7pm
Last year’s transport rally was a roaring success, we had over 500 vehicles in attendance and a huge crowd of enthralled spectators. We would like to personally thank each and every one of our participants and spectators for their attendance during the day.
We have lots of exciting things planned, including live music, the famous midday cavalcade, and exciting activities for the children!
We can’t wait to see you!
We are very pleased to welcome the Wrexham Bowmen to Chirk Castle to offer have-a-go archery over the summer.
Whether you’ve never picked up a bow before or you’re the kind of person who can split someones arrow ‘in twain’ this is a great opportunity to have fun with a beautiful backdrop.
It is £1 for six arrows to take part, with as much or as little help as you require. We can’t guarantee you’ll hit the target, but it’ll be good fun trying!
The wonderful Blists Hill Morris Gang will be entertaining the crowds with traditional dances in the lower part of the Town at 11.15am, 2pm & 3pm.
Performances will likely take place near to the Ironworks and, when the sun is shining, they’ll be roaming the Town. Check with costumed staff on the day for details.
You can watch, and even join-in, some traditional Morris dances and other activities and around lunch time the musicians may be found performing in the New Inn Public House.
Our Ranger Team will meet you in the car park at 21:00 (20:30 in August) and show you the best spot to watch the bats emerging for the night.
Then using bat detectors they’ll lead a walk through the gardens, picking up all of the best spots and passing on their expert local knowledge. Expected finish time 22:30 (22:00 in August).
Join David Nicholls, the bestselling author of One Day, as he talks about his new novel Sweet Sorrow, a bittersweet and brilliantly funny coming-of-age tale of ordinary lives.
One life-changing summer. Sixteen-year-old Charlie meets Fran…
Charlie is the kind of boy you don’t remember in the school photograph. As the summer stretches before him, his exams have not gone well. At home he is looking after his father, when surely it should be the other way around, and if he thinks about the future at all, it is with a kind of dread. Then Fran Fisher bursts into his life and although it’s unthinkable, Charlie, despite himself, begins to hope.
Poignant, funny, enchanting, devastating, Sweet Sorrow is a deeply evocative novel about negotiating the rocky path to adulthood, a hymn to the tragicomedy of family life, a celebration of the deep, reviving power of friendship and the brief, searing explosion of first love.
David Nicholls is one of Britain’s most successful writers with an incomparable talent for making us laugh, cry and wince with recognition. It’s ten years since his novel One Day became an international publishing phenomenon and the iconic love story for a generation. It’s five years since the journey of Us took him to the Man Booker Prize long-list.
A new David Nicholls novel is a major publishing event and something to look forward to. We’re thrilled to be welcoming him to Oswestry as we celebrate the publication of Sweet Sorrow.
Tickets: £10 (without book – redeemable against a signed copy of Sweet Sorrow) or £20 (with book – includes a signed copy of Sweet Sorrow). Tickets available from the bookshop or purchase online with booking fee.
