Throughout the two week period we will be opening up three dig sites in the parkland.
One will continue our exploration of the 8th-century Scheduled Ancient Monument of Offa’s Dyke, the second will search an area of woodland for the site of a building shown on 18-century maps, and the third will look for evidence of the early-18th-century formal gardens following revealing parchmarks last summer.
The dig sites are managed by CPAT with help of National Trust Archaeology volunteers.
Join Victoria Hislop, the bestselling author of The Island, The Sunrise, and Cartes Postales from Greece as she talks about her captivating new novel Those Who Are Loved.
Join journalist, broadcaster and writer Kirsty Wark as she talks about her highly anticipated second novel The House by the Loch.
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).
In 2016, Katherine Rundell, prize-winning author of five novels for children – found her understanding of the world she lived in upturned: by Brexit, Trump, a sweep across Europe towards nationalism and insularity, terrorist attacks. Literary fiction did not help her understanding, so instead she turned to old narratives, told for the benefit of children and adults and anyone who would listen.
This Independent Bookshop Week, join Katherine Rundell and Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times Children’s Book Editor, for an inspiring conversation about how children’s books ignite, and can re-ignite, the imagination; how children’s fiction, with its unabashed emotion and playfulness, can awaken old hungers and create new perspectives on the world. Capturing this, Katherine has written a delightful persuasive essay ‘Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise’. All those attending will receive a copy.
Katherine Rundell is the bestselling author of five children’s novels, for which she has won the Costa Children’s Book Award, the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize amongst many others. She spent her childhood in Africa and Europe before taking her degree at the University of Oxford and becoming a Fellow of All Souls College. As well as writing, she studies Renaissance literature; and is learning, as a direct result of writing her new stunning adventure story The Good Thieves (June ‘19), to fly on the flying trapeze.
Tickets: £6 (Includes a signed copy of Why You Should Read Children’s Books). Tickets available from the bookshop, or purchase online (with booking fee).
This workshop is all about the joys of fair weather eating. You will make sensational salads, perfect picnics and sweet treats to enjoy on all those lazy Summer days. With her flair for foraging and her gardening knowhow, Milly will show you how to prepare delicious dishes
using local herbs, vegetables and country produce. As always, you’ll go home with lots of your day’s achievements so bring plenty of containers! £35 per person, booking essential.
Join bestselling spy novelist Mick Herron as he talks about his new book Joe Country, the latest instalment in his highly acclaimed Slough House series starring Jackson Lamb.
If Spook Street is where spies live, Joe Country is where they go to die and as Jackson Lamb’s crew of misfit exiles emerge for the sixth time, it looks likely not all of them will return from the field.
In Slough House memories are stirring, all of them bad. Catherine Standish is buying booze again, Louisa Guy is raking over the ashes of lost love, and new recruit Lech Wicinski, whose sins make him outcast even among the slow horses, is determined to discover who destroyed his career, even if he tears his life apart in the process. Meanwhile, in Regent’s Park, Diana Taverner’s tenure as First Desk is running into difficulties. If she’s going to make the Service fit for purpose, she might have to make deals with a familiar old devil …
And with winter taking its grip Jackson Lamb would sooner be left brooding in peace, but even he can’t ignore the dried blood on his carpets. So when the man responsible breaks cover at last, Lamb sends the slow horses out to even the score. This time, they’re heading into joe country…
Kicking off with 2010’s Slow Horses, Mick Herron’s Slough House series has lit a match under the British spy genre. With its world-wary coterie of misfits and starring the cunning Jackson Lamb, Herron is now at the front rank of espionage fiction . We’re delighted to welcome the spymaster to Booka during Independent Bookshop Week!
Tickets: £5 (redeemable against a signed copy of Joe Country). Includes a glass of wine / soft drink on arrival. Tickets available from the bookshop, or purchase online (with booking fee).
Do you have a story that you’d like to tell? Have you ever thought of becoming an author? Do you have lots of good ideas that you’d like to craft into something a bit more substantial?
Join award-winning author Edward Docx for an hour of insight, advice, encouragement and ten practical tips on how to turn your thoughts into a professional storyline.
Ed has written four novels. He’s been long listed for the Booker Prize and won the Geoffrey Faber. He reviews contemporary fiction for The Guardian and he’s been teaching the Guardian Masterclass for Fiction for the last seven years. He’s also hosted dozens of Arvon residential writing courses and coached lot’s of private pupils – several of whom are now published.
We’re delighted to be hosting this special event with Ed and his publisher Pan Macmillan to celebrate Independent Bookshop Week. So why not come along and get some practical advice, some top quality inspiration and a fascinating insight into the world of creative writing.
All those attending will receive a paperback copy of Ed’s latest novel Let Go My Hand.
Tickets: £12 (Includes ‘How to Write a Book’ session and a copy of Let Go My Hand) Tickets available from the Bookshop or purchase online (with booking fee)
Steampunks and their friends are invited to Blists Hill Victorian Town over the weekend of 22 & 23 June for our popular ever Steampunk Festival.
A neo-Victorian scientific fantasy, steampunk is all about mixing the old and new. It re-imagines today’s technology powered by 19th century steam, combined with lots of good humour, fun, games and elaborate fashions inspired by Victorian and Edwardian costumes, reinvented for the 21st century and beyond.
This year’s theme is an amazing spectacle of an apocalyptical Martian invasion of earth and the fight back to ultimate victory.
The Ministry of Steampunk (MoS) will be transforming Blists Hill for one weekend only into a magical, mysterious world of Martian invasion and ultimate human triumph all with the accompanying Steampunk sights and sounds. The whole site will be utilised from the top of the High Street right into the woods at the bottom of the site. The story will be played out by MoS enthusiasts and visitors can dip in and out as much or as little as they like. Also expect Cthulhu’s Witnesses, Women’s Suffrage and the Steam Wizards. There will be traders throughout the Town and a main stage in the ironworks for talks and entertainment.
Saturday evening entertainment (additional ticket required – details to follow soon) includes the return of Wight Hot Pipes and great food and drink including a Gin Bar.
Annual Passport Tickets are valid for daytime admission to this event.
More details to follow soon!
Building on its brilliant first year an exciting festival encompassing all types of transport. The WLLR is a key part of this great event
The Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture in Berriew, welcomes The Derek Harrison Band on Saturday 22 June 2019.
Stunning boogie piano will meld with Fats Waller influences as Derek (Piano / Vocal) amusingly reflects on his New Orleans, Los Angeles and QM2 experiences and brings stardust Jazz Standards to twinkle the exhibits at ALMoS. Stuart Tanner on bass, dynamic drummer Graham ‘Rockit’ Ashley and, bringing his Chet Baker and John Coltrane influences, trumpeter Stan Williams complete this versatile swinging line-up. Also included is a light supper of Gumbo and Cornbread.
“This is a completely new line-up for the Museum”, said ALMoS administrator, Anne-Marie Pope, “I can’t wait to hear all Derek’s stories, the amazing playing and the fantastic food – it will be a wonderfully entertaining evening.”
The Derek Harrison Band will play at 8.15pm, shortly after doors open at 8pm. Tickets are £12.50 in advance, £15 on the door, with reductions for under 16’s and free for under 10’s (where they do not require a seat). Advance tickets can be bought from the Andrew Logan website (http://andrew-logan.myshopify.com/collections/tickets-for-events), or in person at either the Museum, at The Lion Hotel, Berriew or at R H Bunners on Arthur Street in Montgomery.
The Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture opened in Berriew in 1991 and celebrated an auspicious 25 year Silver anniversary in 2016. The museum is open 12 – 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays throughout June, July, August and September and by arrangement. Usual entry to the Museum is only £3.00 (Concs £1.50 / Family £8). For more information contact the Museum direct on 01686 640 689 or almos@andrewloganmuseum.org.
Swings, boogie and humour
£12.50 advance, includes light supper
free event in the beautiful park 12pm until 5pm
Whittington Castle Car Boot Sale. £5 per car if you are selling items – free entrance to visitors to the sale. Cars from 8.30am onwards. No need to book just turn up and staff will show you where to set up and collect your fee. Sorry no trade stands. Dogs on leads are welcome. Tearoom will be open selling hot drinks and bacon baps etc.
Free entrance just £1 to park. Join for our Good Living and Green Fair. Stall details to follow – will include conservation Groups, practical demonstrations for children Trade and Gift Stalls. Stall enquiries are welcome phone 01691 662500 or e-mail info@whittingtoncastle.co.uk
Building on its brilliant first year an exciting festival encompassing all types of transport. The WLLR is a key part of this great event
At Chirk Castle we have an estate that covers over 480 acres, with many paths to cover and interesting history to explore.
Our volunteer guided walks are an excellent way to get out on that estate, enjoy the beautiful parkland and learn more about its history.
Walks start at 11am and are generally 1-2 hours long, although this can vary depending on the ability and needs of the group. Please get in touch if you have specific needs.
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).
From Cabaret to Klezmer
£12.50 advance, includes light supper
Get to grips with scything at this one-day course run by Natural England site manager, Simon Cooter. We will include: introduction to scything, setting up the snath, the angles of the blade, honing the blade, mowing technique and practice, hay meadow management, cutting different vegetation and sharpening and peening. We will be using alpine scythes but participants are welcome to bring their own. Boots or good shoes are required and clothing suitable for the weather. £50.00 per person to include all equipment. Booking essential.
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).
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.
information and fund raising for this fantastic organisation. Dogs to pet ! 9am until 2pm
