Wildlife

  Happy World Environment Day from Gower Lavender and poet Rae Howells who say: We are choosing to celebrate the bees, they are why we do what we do... Why not join us in celebrate with a Bee lover's Lavender Gift Set Pay tribute to the humble bumble bee with a lavender gift set that’s sure to delight the bee lover in your life . We’ve stuffed this unique hamper with a gorgeous selection of bee-inspired local loveliness, from a beautiful book of bee-inspired poetry, The language of bees, a jar of Gower honey from the hives at Little Walterstone Farm, a Gower-made beeswax candle, a Gower-made bee decoration, a honey dipper, a beeswax lip balm and a bar of our signature lavender soap.

A great line up for this much-needed fundraiser... including Patrick Jones, Tracey Rhys, Abeer Ameer and Mr W.  Fundraiser for the Children of Gaza. Saturday 21st June 2025 Storyville, Pontypridd Starts 6.30pm. Voices on the Bridge is organised and presented by Rob Cullen - Reading and performing will be Sabrin Hasbun, Patrick Jones, Abeer Ameer, Mike Jenkins, Rob Cullen, Tracey Rhys, Greg Cullen, Leanne Evans, Des MannayDisabled, Welsh writer of colour, Fiona Cullen, and Ben Wildsmith. Elizabeth Heath of RCT Palestine Solidarity Campaign will be speaking about the upcoming Palestinian youth visit to RCT and they will have a stall with info leaflets. Menna Elfyn couldn't be with us but has generously donated 20 copies of - Y Bachgen a'r Wal - The Boy and the Wall - a book creeated by the young people at Lajee Centre near the city of Bethlehem. Local artists Gerhard Kress & Barabara Castle, have donated paintings to be autioned on the night . Great news Gerhard Kress has don...

Thanks to Ellora Sutton and Mslexia for a lovely review of Christina Thatcher's third poetry collection, Breaking a Mare in issue 106. Here are some snippets: " Breaking a Mare is Christina Thatcher’s ode to growing up on a horse ranch in Pennsylvania, a space where girls are taught 'never show / you’re willing to stay down’ (‘Get back on the horse’). But there are other lessons, too, subtly communicated by the ranch’s mares." "Thatcher has a direct style, comparable to Selima Hill; she shows us, with precise detail, what’s on the surface, the veil through which uneasiness seeps" "Thatcher wields form like a whip." Pick up a copy of Mslexia here

   At  The Bookshop by the Sea  on Saturday afternoon: Mari will be chatting about the power of language, words and poetry, as well as reading a sneaky excerpt from WITSH, (coming soon!) Entrance to individual events can be sorted at the door, or you can purchase a day pass / full weekend ticket.

Tune in to the Hay Festival Special of the BBC Radio Wales Arts Show at 8.30pm tonight featuring Tracey Rhys & Tristan Hughes among the guests...

Back up in Hay today for lovely literary chats… with Tracey Rhys and Tristan Hughes among the guests for the Hay edition of the BBC Radio Wales Arts Show. You can tune in this Friday!

About last night… The Verb featuring the fantastic Natalie Ann Holborow will be broadcast on radio 4 in August… Ian McMillan with Natalie Ann Holborow , Len Pennie, Michael Rosen and Alex Wharton Friday 23 May 2025, 7pm – Exchange Marquee The Barnsley Bard Ian McMillan is joined by a veritable paean of poets for a special edition of BBC Radio 4's The Adverb: Michael Rosen has been praised for his “ability to address the most serious matters of life in a spirit of joy, humour and hope”; Len Pennie has won acclaim and admirers for her muscular use of the Scots language; Alex Wharton is currently Children’s Laureate Wales but he writes poems for everyone and his fans include racing driver Sir Lewis Hamilton who had one of Alex’s poems stitched into his Met Gala suit last year; and Natalie Ann Holborow who describes poetry as “a powerful and precious thread that runs through the tapestry of our lives”. With three poetry collections under her belt, the thread is strong in this one. Jo...