Trip to Hereford

 At the beginning of May, I dropped my shoes off for the cobbler who picks work up from Country Supplies.  They warned me that he hasn't been well, so a few days ago I asked if they'd been heeled, and he hadn't even managed to get over to pick them up.  I hope he recovers, but the ladies in the Post Office looked a bit doubtful.

So the first job of the day in Hereford was to go to Cobblers and Keys to drop the shoes off - and an hour later, they were ready.

I also had some financial business to do.  I opened a new savings account with the Monmouthshire Building Society, so I can close my account at the Yorkshire Building Society.  At least I can get into Hereford to visit the branch in person - which I will not be able to do when the YBS closes their office in Hay at the beginning of August, unless I want a whole day out to visit Abergavenny.

I also visited the EE shop to update my mobile phone contract, which was pleasantly easy.

There was plenty of time before the bus home to visit the Library (still in the Town Hall) to do a bit of local history research, and go down to the Barrels for a half of Wholesome Stout.  On the way back to the middle of town, I noticed that the Town Hall was flyng the Pride flag:

 

Meal at the Blue Boar

 The staff of the HCB had a celebratory meal at the Blue Boar last night.  

As ever, the food was very good, though a couple of items were not on the starter menu.  I had the pea and mint soup, which was lovely, and several people had the mackerel pate.  The bread that is served with the meals is crusty and delicious.

There were several orders of burgers for the main course, a couple of steaks, and I had the curry.

The chaps were trying to hurry, because they didn't want to miss the start of the World Cup match!

So a very pleasant evening - though I felt sorry for the waitress, who was rushed off her feet, and remained smiling throughout!  

Hay Community Campus

 It looks as if Hay is going to get a new community building on Forest Road - finally!  I remember plans for a community centre there being put forward for the millennium, so we've only been waiting for 25 years!

HADSCAL has put plans together for a new community building, sport and fitness facilities, a growing space and ten small business start-up units.  Last year Powys County Council made £200,000 available to fund the design, surveys and full planning application.  That money had previously been earmarked for a community centre for Hay that never came to fruition.  So far, they've done a tree survey and a wildlife survey and landscape assessment - all essential parts of the planning process.  

They now have a website at www.hadscal.org, and are planning community events over the summer.  

Closure of Parish Hall

 There are several posts on Facebook pages related to Hay about the sudden closure of the Parish Hall.  Apparently the groups that use the hall regularly were given three days notice, and the Black Mountains Ministry Area made the decision while Father David was on leave.  It's the sort of thing that you would think the local vicar would be involved in, but they seem to have just gone ahead without him.

It's serious enough that Gareth Ratcliffe has got involved as our local County Councillor.  He's sent an official letter to the Black Mountains Ministry group to find out why the Parish Hall was closed so suddenly - there seems to be some maintenance issue at the back of the building, but not affecting the main hall.

Jo Lord was running Spinning sessions there (with indoor bikes, nothing to do with weaving!) and Strength and Stretch sessions.  She had to move all her bikes out straight away.  Fortunately, she's managed to relocate the Strength and Stretch sessions to Clyro Village Hall, and now Drover Cycles has offered space for Jo to finish the term's classes for the Spinning.

So three cheers for Clyro Village Hall and Drover Cycles, and boos for the Black Mountains Ministry Area, who could surely have arranged things better. 

Christmas Lights in June

 The Buttermarket is being dressed with Christmas lights today, in preparation for filming of a Christmas romance film!  Some of the shops around the Buttermarket are putting Christmas displays in their windows, too.  Roads in the middle of town will be closed for a few days while filming goes on.

How Queer Bookshops Changed the World

 I suspect I'll be far too tired to hobble up to North Books on Saturday evening after my last afternoon at the Cusop Dig, which is a pity, because the talk they're having there at 6.30pm sounds really good.

AJ West will be in conversation with Dale Headington about his new book How Queer Bookshops Changed the World.  It's the story of how queer bookshops like Gays the Word in London, or Shakespeare and Company in Paris or the Oscar Wilde bookshop in New York became the focus for communities of like minded people.

There will be drinks and nibbles! 

Just the thing for Pride Month! 

Hay Music Sacconi String Quartet

 Hay Music was busy over the Festival, but they aren't slowing down now.  On Friday 12th June, at 7pm, the Sacconi String Quartet will be playing at St Mary's Church.  Doors open at 6.30pm, and there will be a bar.  Tickets are £20, or £10 for under 25s, with a few free tickets for under 25s on a first come, first served basis.

They'll be playing Mozart's quartet no. 19, which was called Dissonance when it was first performed (but only by the standards of the time - Mozart was just being a bit experimental), Smetana's "From my life" and Freya Waley-Cohen's Dances, Hymns and Songs for Friendship.

And in July there will be a series of piano concerts.  All details on the Hay Music website.