Featured Events in Hereford in May, 2025 (August Updated)

Course Overview This dynamic printmaking course takes you on a creative journey through a variety of exciting techniques. You'll start by exploring simple yet impactful methods like lino printing, then move on to more complex processes such as Monoprinting and Drypoint, where you'll learn to create intricate designs with rich textures. As the course progresses, you'll discover the textural possibilities of Collagraph and the eco-friendly approach of Tetra Pak printing, among other techniques. Venue, Dates, Times Term starts on 6th May. There will be 7 sessions, and there will be a half term break on the week of 27th May. The last session will be 24th June. All sessions will be held in the Print workshop at our College Road Campus. Sessions will start at 6.30pm and will finish at approximately 9pm. About the Tutor Jess is an award-winning printmaker and educator, specializing in Linocut, Risograph, Collagraph, and Takuhon. She teaches workshops across the UK and leads the Print Workshop at College Road Campus. Recent accolades include the Hawthorn Prize for Excellence in Printmaking (Flourish Awards 2024) and the Peter Reddick Bursary for Innovation in Relief Printmaking. Her solo shows span Spike Print Studio, Hereford Courtyard, and the Royal Cambrian Academy, alongside Arts Council-funded installations for Alone Together and Brink. Jess’s work has featured in prestigious group exhibitions such as The International Print Biennale and Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair. Refunds Please note that tickets can be refunded up to 5 days before the course starts. Beyond that point, refunds may be given based on individual circumstances. If you book onto a course with a known injury or access need, we cannot guarantee a refund if you are unable to complete the course because of that injury or access need. If you have any questions about this, please email shortcourses@hca.ac.uk Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. Information Source: Hereford College of Arts | eventbrite

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Grafton Beer Festival! Come join us for a day filled with craft beer , live music, and good vibes. This year, we're bringing together local brewers from around the region to showcase their best brews. Whether you're a seasoned beer enthusiast or just looking to have a good time, this event is perfect for you. Join us for a day of tastings , food trucks , and a friendly atmosphere. Don't miss out on the opportunity to discover new favorite beers and enjoy the company of fellow beer lovers. Mark your calendar and get ready for a day to remember! The full ticket price includes a commemorative tasting glass in addition to samples from all the attending breweries! Information Source: Rushford & Sons | eventbrite

Course Overview This course is designed to boost your drawing skills while helping you build a unique body of work. Each session hones in on a different technique, from line and tone to perspective and mark-making. You’ll explore a variety of methods, working with both traditional materials and more unconventional mediums, all while being encouraged to experiment and discover your personal style. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking to gain confidence in drawing, this course covers everything from life drawing and portraits to more abstract approaches. We provide basic materials to get you started and will guide you on any additional supplies you may need as your skills and projects grow. Venue, Dates, Times Term starts on 2nd May. There will be 8 sessions, and there will be a half term break on the week of 30th May. The last session will be the 27th June. All sessions will be held at our College Road Campus. Sessions will start at 10am and will finish at approximately 12.30pm. About the Tutor Lexi, an MA Painting graduate from the Royal College of Art (2014) and Fine Art graduate from Hereford College of Arts (2011), is a painter and performer known for her theatrical installations and art clown performances. Her work bridges art, theatre, and comedy, often exploring themes of humour and trauma—a focus recently supported by Arts Council England funding. Her current project features portraits of her vibrant clown community. Lexi has exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the John Moores Painting Prize and Jerwood Drawing Prize, and her work is part of the Women’s Art Collection at Cambridge University. She’s been recognized with nominations for Saatchi New Sensations (2014) and Bloomberg New Contemporaries (2013). Refunds Please note that tickets can be refunded up to 5 days before the course starts. Beyond that point, refunds may be given based on individual circumstances. If you book onto a course with a known injury or access need, we cannot guarantee a refund if you are unable to complete the course because of that injury or access need. If you have any questions about this, please email shortcourses@hca.ac.uk Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. Information Source: Hereford College of Arts | eventbrite

Course Overview This course is designed to develop your knowledge and confidence in portraiture, with a strong focus on drawing this term. These are guided sessions in a social environment, where all creative approaches and techniques are welcomed. There will be plenty of support and guidance and individual students will be encouraged to explore and develop their own styles, developing an understanding of line, tone, and mark-making to bring depth and character to your portraits. You’ll be encouraged to experiment with a range of techniques and materials. Working with graphite, charcoal, ink and pastels for those interested in incorporating colour. You’ll investigate facial structure, anatomy, and the nuances of capturing emotion, whilst exploring the fundamentals of capturing likeness and proportion with expression. The classes offer a supportive and dynamic environment to explore both traditional and expressive approaches to portraiture. Basic materials will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own materials and guidance will also be offered on additional supplies to suit your personal artistic development. Students should have some previous experience, or have completed one of Lexi’s introductions to life drawing, drawing or painting courses. Venue, Dates, Times Term starts on 2nd May. There will be 8 sessions, and there will be a half term break on the week of 30th May. The last session will be 27th June. All sessions will be held at our College Road Campus. Sessions will start at 1.30pm and will finish at approximately 4pm. About the Tutor Lexi, an MA Painting graduate from the Royal College of Art (2014) and Fine Art graduate from Hereford College of Arts (2011), is a painter and performer known for her theatrical installations and art clown performances. Her work bridges art, theatre, and comedy, often exploring themes of humour and trauma—a focus recently supported by Arts Council England funding. Her current project features portraits of her vibrant clown community. Lexi has exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the John Moores Painting Prize and Jerwood Drawing Prize, and her work is part of the Women’s Art Collection at Cambridge University. She’s been recognized with nominations for Saatchi New Sensations (2014) and Bloomberg New Contemporaries (2013). Refunds Please note that tickets can be refunded up to 5 days before the course starts. Beyond that point, refunds may be given based on individual circumstances. If you book onto a course with a known injury or access need, we cannot guarantee a refund if you are unable to complete the course because of that injury or access need. If you have any questions about this, please email shortcourses@hca.ac.uk Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. Information Source: Hereford College of Arts | eventbrite

We have a number of reserves in the Woolhope Dome and our very knowledgeable walk leader Nic Howes plus our expert volunteer wardens will show you around some of these sites and share their knowledge of the area. The walk will start at Wessington Pasture car park in the Woolhope Dome (what three words location ///gently.perfectly.mailbox), a reserve with a mixture of woodland and pasture. The pasture contains a number of interesting plants including dwarf thistle and adders tongue ferns. On leaving the reserve the route will make its way to Seige wood and Lea and Paget's wood which is arguably one of the finest ancient, semi-natural, broad-leaved woodlands in this area, and then on to Common Hill. Common Hill reserve consists of 6 enclosures of old cider-fruit orchards and wildflower meadows (150+ species) previously occupied as meagre small-holdings. Now best known for its Orchids (4 species) Adder’s Tongue Ferns and Wood White butterflies. The walk will take in a mosaic of varied geologies and associated land-uses and habitats. HWT reserves visited include Wessington Pasture, Lea and Pagets Wood, Common Hill and Rudge End. The walk then returns to Wessington Pasture and the cars for 13.00. This walk is open to Herefordshire Wildlife Trust members only. For more details on joining the Trust go to: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/join Information Source: Herefordshire Wildlife Trust | eventbrite

This outstanding red brick school which is a Herefordshire landmark gothic building was built around the late 1850's . The school, among many other buildings and houses were under the George Jarvis charity, the school offered boarding since the day of opening, this was aimed for the benefit of children who came from a poor family. The building has had the American army stay there and is said to have been as a hospital for the Army at some point in it's history. It was also used as a Youth Hostel in the 1980's. It's no surprise that a building of this age with a rich history is rumoured to be so haunted . The locals often speak about the ghostly man looking out of the top floor window which they believe is the unsettled and angry spirit of George Jarvis who is believed to haunt the school, after all, his money was used to erect this public building which went right against everything in his will. George Jarvis, who left his massive fortune to the poor of Staunton-on-Wye, Bredwardine and Letton in 1793, demanded his legacy never be used to erect public buildings. In his will, George Jarvis stated: "My mind and will is that none of the said monies be appropriated in erecting any public buildings whatsoever." Former pupils of the school and staff have shared their spooky experiences , from things moving on their own accord in classrooms to ghostly legs being seen in the corridor. Most people that have been in this school have a story to tell. There are also some ghost books in circulation that feature the hauntings of this former school. The main school building has over 40 rooms across 4 floor levels, the cellars , Ground Floor, First Floor and Second Floor. Parking: On site Toilets and Refreshments:- Yes to both Times: 8pm-2am Venue Address The George Jarvis School School Lane Staunton On Wye HR4 7NF IMPORTANT NOTE School Lane is just off the A438, as you go up School Lane the driveway to the school entrance is on the right hand side and is about half way up the road. The gate will be open at 7:45 PM , please drive up the driveway and our team will direct you on where to park. If the gate is not open then please do not wait in your car on the main road, the school is in a residential setting with many elderly residents so therefore we need minimal traffic and disturbance, this goes for the end of the event also , please leave the village quietly, no loud music, engines revving etc . If we have complaints then our events at the school will be difficult so it vital that you work with us and respect the village. *No alcohol , under 16's or pregnant ladies please * Information Source: Spooktacular Ghost Hunting Events UK | eventbrite

Attend the UK Coaching Safeguarding Children for practitioners aged over 18 supporting children and young people accessing sport and physical activity. Every child deserves to enjoy playing sport and engage in physical activity in a safe and supportive environment, where they feel heard, understood, and valued. This interactive classroom-based workshop will help you recognise and respond to concerns a child may be experiencing, or be at risk of experiencing, harm, neglect, or abuse. You will learn the importance of person-centred care and taking an individualised approach to your coaching practice, that puts the child or young person at the heart of every session. This course will run on 12th May 2025 6pm-9pm. Cost: Standard ticket £35 per person, for those living outside of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and do not meet the subsidised ticket criteria Subsidised ticket*: £15 per person, If you can demonstrate living in or operating out of Herefordshire and Worcestershire plus in an employed or voluntary role, are either: Working (or in trainee role), to improve levels of physical activity, Supporting individuals (or groups) with physical or mental health challenges,Tackling inequalities or working to support people in a high area of deprivation.*Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire are utilising funding to support people working or wanting to work in the sport and physical activity industry. There are a few questions to complete at the Eventbrite checkout to assess you meet the requirements to claim the subsidy. If you are unsure if you meet the criteria, or if you fall outside of the eligibility criteria and would like to join paying the full cost of £35, please select the Standard ticket option at checkout. Further eligibility: This is aimed at people operating out of Herefordshire and Worcestershire who are working in or wanting to work in the sport or physical activity industry or are supporting people in a volunteer role. Applicants operating from or living within Herefordshire and Worcestershire will be prioritised if places sell out. People from outside the region can apply if they are able to travel to and from the venue and are committed to attend but may be placed on a waiting list if capacity is reached. You will be contacted to advise if this happens. If you are coaching, or planning to coach, in a specific sport, please check with the national governing bodies (NGBs) that this course meets their requirements. A list of NGB's contact information can be found here. Initial closing date: Monday 25th April at 14:00. The course is taking place at The Royal College for the Blind (The Point 4 Centre) Venns Lane, Hereford, HR1 1DT. What you will Learn You will be able to: Identify and recognise good coaching practice and the implications for your coachingRefresh your knowledge around recognising safeguarding issues, what to do, and just as importantly, what not to doExplore your values and feelings in relation to child abuse, and recognise their potential impact on your responseTake appropriate action if concerns about a child ariseLearn from our expert tutor, all of whom have lived safeguarding experience – such as club welfare officers, schoolteachers, or police officers.PLEASE NOTE: If you are booking a place on this course, using the link to Eventbrite, and the booking is being made on behalf of someone else, you must have gained their consent to provide us with their data before progressing the booking. We ask that when booking, you supply an e-mail address for the individual that will be attending the course so that we can contact them directly with course information. Each candidate's name and organisation will be shared with the course tutor for course registration purposes. To understand how we keep and manage data you can view our privacy policy here. Cancellation: As this course is being partially subsidised by Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, please only book on if you can commit to attending the session, so as not to take up a space as they are limited. If you do need to cancel please let us know as soon as you are able, so that we can re-allocate the place. Once you have booked your place, if you cancel with MORE than 7 days notice. You will be refunded the ticket cost MINUS the Eventbrite fees. If you cancel within 7 days, it is Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire's discretion as to whether a full or partial refund would be issued and evidence may be required to assess the validity. Please note, we are a small charity so any refund requests may take up to 14 days to process. If you need to discuss this further, please email activehw@worc.ac.uk Information Source: Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire | eventbrite

Course Overview This course offers a comprehensive exploration of advanced relief and intaglio printmaking techniques, including linocut, woodcut, collagraph, monoprint, and drypoint. Throughout the course, you’ll develop your personal projects while mastering more sophisticated plate construction methods and experimenting with various inking techniques. You’ll learn how to achieve the best results with different printing methods, as well as explore a range of paper options to complement your work. With a focus on refining skills and expanding creative possibilities, this course provides a supportive environment for artists looking to advance their printmaking practice and produce high-quality, professional prints. This course is suitable for people who have already completed the beginners printmaking course or people with printmaking experience. Venue, Dates, Times Term starts on 12th May. There will be 7 sessions, and there will be a half term break on the week of 26th May. The last session will be on the 30th June. All sessions will be held in the Print workshop at our College Road Campus. Sessions will start at 1.30pm and will finish at approximately 4pm. About the Tutor Jess is an award-winning printmaker and educator, specializing in Linocut, Risograph, Collagraph, and Takuhon. She teaches workshops across the UK and leads the Print Workshop at College Road Campus. Recent accolades include the Hawthorn Prize for Excellence in Printmaking (Flourish Awards 2024) and the Peter Reddick Bursary for Innovation in Relief Printmaking. Her solo shows span Spike Print Studio, Hereford Courtyard, and the Royal Cambrian Academy, alongside Arts Council-funded installations for Alone Together and Brink. Jess’s work has featured in prestigious group exhibitions such as The International Print Biennale and Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair. Refunds Please note that tickets can be refunded up to 5 days before the course starts. Beyond that point, refunds may be given based on individual circumstances. If you book onto a course with a known injury or access need, we cannot guarantee a refund if you are unable to complete the course because of that injury or access need. If you have any questions about this, please email shortcourses@hca.ac.uk Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. Information Source: Hereford College of Arts | eventbrite

David Blandy is an artist examining global structures of control and networks of resistance, in areas that range from ecology, history and science to arenas of play. He makes videos, games, sound and ephemera, deconstructing forms to put them back together again. He searches for meaning in cultural life, an expanded form for auto-anthropology, sifting through multiple forms of archive, from historic texts to academic archives, archaeology and ecological theory, twitch streams and film archives; Blandy weaves poetic works that explore the complexities of the contemporary subject. He builds complex stories that sketch out a future of interdependence, through visual poetry and immersive play. Blandy’s projects involve complex installations, performance, writing, gaming and sound. Radical Care Artist Talk Series is a programme of free public talks presented by Hereford College of Arts and Meadow Arts. It explores the question of care in the context of contemporary art and how artists are transforming their creative practices to foster well-being and connectedness. Whether you’re a practising artist, student, graduate, or simply curious about the power of art to inspire change, all are welcome to join these free public events to gain fresh insights and engage with bold ideas shaping the future of contemporary art. Please note: This event will take place in the Main Hall. Information Source: Meadow Arts | eventbrite

An evening of Parisian-flavoured jazz and Gypsy Swing ★ ★ ★ ★ “intelligent, interesting and inventive” THE JAZZ MANN “excellent band…diverse numbers, smart arrangements" JAZZ JOURNAL Swing from Paris are an all-string jazz quartet of violin, guitars and double bass, inspired by the music of the 1930s, ’40s and '50s. Expect stylish jazz and vintage swing , from Benny Goodman, Charlie Christian and Artie Shaw to Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and the master of tango Astor Piazzolla. The group's Parisian-flavoured jazz and gypsy swing has been delighting audiences for over 15 years: from major jazz festivals including the Django Reinhardt Festival at Samois-sur-Seine, to the BBC’s Hairy Bikers and the opening of the award-winning Gloucester Services. Tickets Tickets £16 in advance, £18 on the door. Early bird tickets at £15 Under 18s £ 10 (must be accompanied by an adult) Timings Doors and bar open 7pm . Performance 7.30pm - 9.30pm (including 20min interval) . About the band: Swing from Paris are Tomasz Williams (double bass), Andy Bowen (electric guitar), Fenner Curtis (violin), Sam Hughes (acoustic guitar). They enjoy creating and playing their own arrangements of music they love, mostly inspired by the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s: including music by Gershwin, Piazzolla, Benny Goodman, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and the Hot Club of France. They’ve been seen on the BBC’s Hairy Bikers, and have appeared at major jazz festivals including Cheltenham, Brecon and the Django Reinhardt Festival at Samois sur Seine. The band started out of a chance meeting of Andy Bowen and Fenner Curtis, when they both sat in at a Birmingham University jazz club jam session. Already fans of the music of the guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli, they started a group and began playing regularly across their home county of Gloucestershire. Following formative years as a dedicated Django Reinhardt ensemble, they widened their repertoire to include many other greats of the era and beyond – and welcomed members Sam Hughes on guitar and Tomasz Williams on double bass in the late 2010s. Their latest recording together is I Love Paris (2024), available on vinyl, CD and digital. Listen On Spotify or visit swingfromparis.co.uk Find social links and mailing list via linktr.ee/swingfromparis Audience comments: "Absolutely wonderful" "A truly spectacular and accomplished group” “Fabulous musicians, fabulous arrangements. Can't recommend enough!” “Highly recommended. Wonderful performance” Reviews ★ ★ ★ ★ "their love for, and knowledge of, their chosen material is wide and deep, but nevertheless they put their own stamp on it" - THE JAZZ MANN "successful partnering of acoustic with electric guitar distinguishes the band’s sound…symphonious violin, soulful guitar and heart-rending bass” Jazz Journal "Clever interpretations and adaptations … what a performance by this Cotswold-based combo" – Nub News "awe-inspiring…The band members have real rapport with one another" - Swindon Link Information Source: Swing from Paris | eventbrite