Holidays

 I'll be away for a few days, so until I get back, here's a view of Hay from the Castle steps.

Korean Publishers Visit Hay

 Two of my customers today at the Cinema Bookshop introduced themselves as Korean publishers, from Giyeok Publishing (named for the first letter of the Korean alphabet).  They kindly gave me their catalogue, in Korean and English. 

They work out of a place called Bookvillage Harry, which is a cluster of bookshops, libraries, a printing studio and gallery space in a small town by the sea.  (I'm a bit worried by the space on their map labelled "book prison" but labelling the bookshop spaces as "book forest" is a lovely idea!).  There's also a restaurant, a treehouse (with books), a boat to read on, and a Poet's House.  They publish picture books on the themes of ecology, human wisdom, relationships, imagination, and poetry.  I rather like the look of the one entitled "I'm a whale, shrimp are annoying".

They are on instagram at @book_vill

Swimming in Hay

 Gareth Ratcliffe has been on Facebook in the last week thanking all the volunteers who turned up to help to renovate the swimming pool.  They've found people who are willing to be trustees of the pool, and a core group of volunteers to help to run the pool.  However, they still need help with some work around the pool, such as installing PVC doors in the changing rooms, and a new fire door.  They also need help with completing painting jobs, and sanding doors for painting, as well as dealing with a leak in the changing room roof.  They are hoping to reopen soon!

Meanwhile, at the Seven Stars, new health and safety rules mean that their pool cannot be hired out to people swimming on their own - there must be at least two people there.  Treby Swingler posted on the Hay on Wye Community Facebook page to say that they are thinking of setting up a WhatsApp group to pair up solo swimmers.  This may be on a permanent or ad hoc basis, or for people who haven't been before and want to try it out to share a slot.

St. Michael's Hospice Returns to Hay

 

They used to have a shop in Castle Street, near the Blue Boar (now a counselling service), and now they're in the Craft Centre, where EE phones used to be.

They don't have a changing room, if anyone wants to try clothes on, but they do have a 28 day returns policy.

Chamber Ensemble at St Marys

 The next Hay Music concert is on Friday 12th April (so, not long now!).

The New London Chamber Ensemble is playing at St Mary's Church at 7pm.  They are a wind quintet - flute, French horn, clarinet, oboe and bassoon.  Tickets are £20, with a limited number of free tickets for under 25s, as well as the usual half price tickets for under 25s.

They will be playing quite a bit of Mozart, including the Adagio for glass harmonica, as well as Ravel, Beethoven and Rachel Stott.

Murals in Hereford

 

Here is some of the new street art around Hereford.  I also found the painting around the end of Capuchin Lane, and at the Eign Gate underpass, but they were more difficult to take photos of.  There are still a few dotted around the town centre that I haven't found yet.

While I was in Hereford today, I also came across a new use for Maylord Orchards.  As I was cutting through to the bus stop, tables had been laid out for playing all sorts of games, and there was a game library in one of the shops.  I think some of the games were for sale, too.  Quite a few people had turned up to play, of all ages.  I think it's a great idea!

I was also sorry to see that one of my favourite cafes has closed down.  The owners of the Antique Tea Rooms, next to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, have retired, and the building is now empty.  I did have a lovely bowl of leek and potato soup at the First Light charity cafe, opposite the Catholic church, though, so I will probably go there again.

Easter Post Box Topper

 A jolly Easter Bunny on the Post Box this time!