Hay Festival Digital earned more than 210,000 event streams in its opening weekend as book lovers from more than 63 countries tuned in to hear from writers and performers in intimate events beamed from living rooms, kitchen tables, studies, and sheds. Highlights from the opening, available to view on Hay Player:  hayfestival.org/hayplayer Key-note lectures from novelist Elif Shafak, Welsh poet Mererid Hopwood, journalist Afua Hirsch, and former CMO Sally Davies; An exclusive preview of Stephen Fry’s upcoming Troy, an exclusive film…

Theatr Iolo are launching a playwriting competition for children and young people across Wales. The Cardiff based theatre company are looking for aspiring young writers between the ages of 7 and 16 to write an original ten-minute play.  They are keen to hear from children and young people throughout Wales and are asking for submissions to be original, imaginative and anything they want to write about. The winners will see their play performed by professional actors in a public sharing…

Create your own outdoor oasis and enjoy staying home this summer Britain is a nation that loves the outdoors, whatever the weather. This year we’re staying at home more than ever, but we can still enjoy fresh air and wildlife in our own gardens and outdoor spaces. As lovers of the open air and experts in helping to create beautiful outdoor spaces, Hayter, makers of the finest British mowers, has shared some top tips on how to create a garden…

Two sisters who both face the daily challenges of autism have overcome lockdown boredom by creating hundreds of activity packs to keep children in their neighbourhood occupied.   Hannah and Emma Stacey of Nantyffyllon, Maesteg, are compiling packs of brain games, colouring exercises and instructions for making everything from edible play dough to toilet roll monsters, then delivering them to nearby homes.   It began as a way of Emma, 23, keeping her sister from getting too bored. Hannah, 13,…

A mild winter and weeks of continuous sunshine have resulted in a good year for apple blossom, according to the National Trust. Temperatures of up to 24 degrees centigrade, little rain and a record amount of sunshine in April  have helped the development of a heavy bloom, boosting the possibility of a fruitful harvest this autumn. The warm conditions have led to bees being more active while the lack of high winds has allowed the blossom to open for longer,…

Having postponed their 2020 summer series due to the current pandemic, Let’s Rock have confirmed the rescheduled dates for summer 2021. The line-ups remain the same, with headliners including Adam Ant, OMD, Wet Wet Wet, and UB40, and other performers including Tony Hadley, The Boomtown Rats, Kim Wilde, Marc Almond, Sister Sledge, The Undertones, Midge Ure’s Electronica, Toyah, T’Pau, Go West, Nik Kershaw, Chesney Hawkes, Betty Boo, and Heaven 17. Last Saturday’s LockdownFest, organised by Let’s Rock in aid of…

Families looking for fun, free and creative boredom busters during isolation – be inspired and learn to paint with Cardiff-based artist Rosie Moriarty Simmonds, a member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists – artists who paint only with their mouth and feet due to physical disability. Get hands-on (or feet-on!) with her cute and colourful ‘Rainbow Hedgehog’ design – sure to banish any ‘prickly’ family feuds with artistic fun. Ideal for little ones, Rosie has created a handy design outline…

  SUNDAY 31 MAY 2020 AT 2PM – 6PM (BST) The Great Connection Festival aims to bring people together in this time of uncertainty to reflect, reposition, rebuild and rejoice. The series of live online sessions for the mind, body, and soul are for anyone looking for some fun, energy, and inspiration to connect with themselves and others. Bringing together over 20 speakers, practitioners, performers and experts The Great Connection Festival features a wide range of unique and uplifting talks,…

  Mental health and social change charity, Platfform, has teamed up with young people to create Platfform 4YP, a vital digital resource to support young people during lockdown and beyond. The charity has collaborated with young people across Wales for 18 months to develop a wellbeing programme, thanks to funding from the Welsh Government. Platfform 4YP was created from this work and benefits hugely from relationships formed and insights gained during the collaboration. Launched on Thursday 14th May, Platfform 4YP has…

In a week when thousands usually flock to the Royal Hospital Chelsea for the world-renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show, this year’s virtual show has seen thousands flocking to the RHS website and social media instead to celebrate gardens, gardening and all the joys they have to offer. However, there is a hidden side to the Show. Whilst the RHS have masterfully adjusted to the ‘new normal’, sadly many of the charities and businesses who usually appear at the event are…