What's On & When?

We’re delighted to be bringing the talented Deborah Bonham Band to St George’s Hall to open this years festival.

Deborah Bonham, over the course of an impressive career, has established herself as one of the finest Blues, Rock and Soul singers that the UK has produced.  A string of critically acclaimed original albums, collaborations with Foreigner, Nazareth, Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers, Ann Peebles and captivating standing ovation concert performances from London’s Palladium and Royal Albert Hall to the amphitheatres of the USA ‘Stars Align Tour’ with Paul Rodgers, Jeff Beck and Ann Wilson of Heart, have consistently garnered glowing reviews.

Top-flight Blues-Slingers deliver in style - they’re no strangers to entertaining crowds of thousands at international Blues festivals when they’re not backing Paul Rodgers live, so catching the Bonham-Bullick band at an intimate Sold-Out venue on this occasion was an opportunity too good to miss

- Classic Rock.

In Conversation

Kit de Waal was born in Birmingham to a Caribbean father and Irish mother, a childminder and foster carer. She worked for fifteen years in criminal and family law, was a magistrate for several years and sat on adoption panels. She advised Social Services on the care of foster children, and has written training manuals on adoption, foster care and judgecraft for members of the judiciary.

Her writing has received numerous awards including the Bridport Flash Fiction Prize 2014 and 2015 and the SI Leeds Literary Reader's Choice Prize 2014 and the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year. My Name Is Leon, her first novel, was published in 2016 and shortlisted for the Costa Book Award. She has two children and lives in the West Midlands.  

Kit will be talking about her life and her writing in what is sure to be an inspirational afternoon.

3 in 1

An evening of comedy, poetry and beautiful piano music – it’s three great shows in one!

After his Piano Album reached No 1 in the Classical charts, Alistair McGowan has been combining his gifts as a much-loved impressionist with his new-found talent as a classical pianist. This year sees the publication of his second book of poetry ‘Like Never Before’.

Expect the comedy and impressions for which Alistair is so famous, plus poignant and witty poetry, and piano gems by Satie, Glass, Mompou, Shostakovich, Tiersen and Amy Beach to name just a few.

Alistair McGowan's impressions are faultless - The Sunday Times

He plays the piano splendidly - The Observer

The poems are WONDERFUL; Alistair has his own voice and a real gift! - Gyles Brandreth

Bewdley is experiencing a golden age of young, talented classical musicians and we are delighted and proud to showcase three outstanding young pianists in this recital on the recently restored Broadwood Grand in the wonderful acoustic of St Anne's Church.

Many classical music fans will have already enjoyed remarkable performances from Carys, Tymoteusz and Luke so this will be a great opportunity to hear them all play as they share this full length recital featuring works from the great piano composers including Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy.

Also during the afternoon the winners of the Betti Moretti Poetry Prize will be announced - details for entry can be found on the Bewdley Festival website.

The Beatles - ‘With A Little Help From Their Friends’

Stuart Maconie is a popular broadcaster and best selling author. He hosts both The Freak Zone and the weekend breakfast show on BBC 6Music with Mark Radcliffe - Sunday evenings wouldn't be the same without it! He also hosts Radio 4's Loose Ends, and is on the England team on Round Britain Quiz. He appears regularly on TV talking about anything from Wigan Athletic to LS Lowry, and is a lifelong Vice President of the Ramblers Association and a regular contributor to Country Walking Magazine.

His books include the huge best-seller Pies and Prejudice, and the recent hit English Journey, with a raft of massively successful volumes chronicling the changing face of modern Britain in between. Stuart's latest book, With A Little Help From Their Friends, is the result of his passion for The Beatles and their world, in which he chronicles the epic journey of the band through the essential network of family, managers, friends, ex-bandmates, and cultural figures who built their success. An interesting Sunday evening beckons.

Liz Hyder I - Creative Writing Workshop

Liz Hyder is the acclaimed author of five books. Her first novel, Bearmouth, won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Older Readers and was The Times’ Children’s Book of the Year. Her previous book, The Twelve, won the Nero Prize for Children’s Fiction, a Tir Na n-Og award and was a Financial Times and Guardian Book of the Year. Her latest book, The Teller of Tall Tales, is out this October.

She has also written two acclaimed historical fiction novels for grown-ups - The Gifts (runner of up the McKitterick Prize) and The Illusions.

At midday Liz will be hosting a creative writing workshop - something she has been doing for over 15 years - which at 2pm she will follow with a talk recounting her storytelling journey so far.

This ticket is for Liz Hyder's creative writing workshop at midday.

Liz Hyder II - My Storytelling Journey

Liz Hyder is the acclaimed author of five books. Her first novel, Bearmouth, won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Older Readers and was The Times’ Children’s Book of the Year. Her previous book, The Twelve, won the Nero Prize for Children’s Fiction, a Tir Na n-Og award and was a Financial Times and Guardian Book of the Year. Her latest book, The Teller of Tall Tales, is out this October.

She has also written two acclaimed historical fiction novels for grown-ups - The Gifts (runner of up the McKitterick Prize) and The Illusions.

At midday Liz will be hosting a creative writing workshop - something she has been doing for over 15 years - which at 2pm she will follow with a talk recounting her storytelling journey so far.

This ticket is for Liz Hyder's author talk at 2pm, in which she'll be recounting her storytelling journey so far.

God And The Gogglebox

Originally from Sheffield, The Reverend Canon Kate Bottley is an Anglican priest in North Nottinghamshire. After featuring in a viral flashmob video on YouTube Kate was invited to be part of Channel 4's Gogglebox in 2014.

Kate currently presents Good Morning Sunday on BBC Radio 2 and is a regular on both Steph's Packed Lunch and Songs of Praise. She is also often found on The One Show, Sunday Morning Live and Sunday Morning Stories. Guest TV appearances include Would I Lie To You, The Wheel, Celebrity MasterChef, Hairy Bikers Cracking Christmas, Richard Osman’s House of Games and 8 Out of 10 Cats. In 2017, Kate journeyed to Camino de Santiago for The Pilgrimage, a three-part BBC travelogue series.

In this engaging talk Kate tells the story of how she got to do what she does, what it's like being with people for the big moments in life, and the time she met Kylie in a toilet cubicle. Expect lots to laugh at, plenty to think about and some stories probably too naughty to tell the bishop.

West Midlands Safari Park

Conservation In Action

West Midlands Safari Park have over 165 species of animals and bring around 750,000 visitors to our area each year. Join Katie McDonald - Research and Conservation Officer who will be talking all about the the conservation work they carry out within and outside the Safari Park.

Note that this ticket is part of a special offer! Not only will the discussion by West Midlands Safari Park be an absorbing one, our other Steam & Safari discussion about all the hard work Severn Valley Railway are doing to stay on track will be equally fascinating. So why buy one Steam + Safari ticket for £6 when you can buy both for £10? Just select both, and the ticket system will automatically adjust the amount charged - that's great value!

The Life & Times Of Dudley Castle

Three quite separate castles have existed on the hilltop overlooking the community of Dudda, the 'clearing in the wood' originally founded in Saxon times. Built around 1071, the fortress we know today as Dudley Castle came to an end during the English Civil War in 1647, and was finally destroyed by fire in 1750.

With his signature light hearted banter, and dressed as an Anglo-Norman foot soldier from the early 12th century, Max delivers the story of 950 year old Dudley Castle – a castle that deserves a much greater focus than it currently enjoys. Complete with an on-stage costume change half way through, Max Keen delves into the architecture and characters who shaped this great fortress.

Oh yes – and just what was found in the 1980s that is currently the only example in the whole of northern Europe? Well, you'll have to buy a ticket to the show to find out...

The Voice of Squeeze

With Special Guest Leon Tilbrook

It's over 40 years since Glenn Tilbrook answered Chris Difford's advert for like-minded souls, launching the band that became the world famous Squeeze. What followed was a remarkable catalogue of enduring pop classics - Take Me I'm Yours, Cool for Cats, Up the Junction, Another Nail in My Heart, Tempted, Labelled With Love and Black Coffee in Bed to name but a few. More recently, Glenn has been a tireless solo performer, reimagining Squeeze classics, showcasing solo material and entertaining audiences with trademark warmth and virtuosity.

Glenn is supported by his son Leon who literally grew up on tour. On stage Leon blooms with wit and charisma that makes crowds fall in love at first song. His lyrical, layered tunes dig deep and wide into the past, referencing everything from indie rock and jazz to country and electronica. But the result is something entirely new: a signature brand of chamber pop that spans the emotional spectrum from infectious, sing-along enthusiasm to searching, honest introspection.

Claire Spencer - Her Life, My Mother

Ben Bowling is son of two artists - Claire Spencer & Frank Bowling - and works with museums, galleries and art historians to safeguard his parents' artistic legacy. Ben is also Emeritus Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at King's College London and former adviser to UK Government, the European Commission, Interpol and the United Nations. His books include Violent Racism, Policing the Caribbean and The Politics of the Police. His band Doc Bowling and his Blues Professors are working on their fifth album.

In this talk, Ben explores Claire Spencer’s October exhibition taking place at Bewdley Museum as part of this year's Bewdley Festival of the Arts, placing The Field paintings within her lifelong dedication to painting and drawing. Focusing on a landscape seen from her studio window, Claire documented its changing seasons, especially after it was threatened by development, reflecting her deep connection to Worcestershire and concern for environmental loss.

Punk Rock Ruined My Life

Join us for a special evening with multifaceted UK music legend John Robb. Not just a familiar face from TV, he’s also a best-selling author, musician, journalist, presenter and cultural commentator. He's also a publisher, festival organiser and eco-campaigner, the singer of post-punk mainstays The Membranes, and the founder of influential music website Louder Than War.

In the first half of the evening, John will discuss his brand new memoir ‘Punk Rock Ruined My Life’ - the book which explores his deep friendships with cultural figures ranging from Poly Styrene to Chris Packham, packed with riotous stories that offer an alternative history of British music and culture. Its a triumphant blueprint for living a true punk rock life.

In the second half of the show John will interview a very special guest.

The evening will conclude with a lively Q&A.

Exhibition On Screen

Two of Britain’s greatest painters, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable were also the greatest of rivals. Born within a year of each other - Turner in 1775, Constable in 1776 - they used landscape art as a way to reflect the changing world around them.

Marking 250 years since their births, this landmark exhibition explores Turner and Constable's intertwined lives and legacies. Discover unexpected sides to both artists alongside intimate insights seen through sketchbooks and personal items. Must-see artworks include Turner’s powerful and dynamic later paintings, which shocked the art critics of his day and went on to inspire Claude Monet, and Constable's expressive cloud sketches capturing the changing light of an English sky.

In Conversation with Adrian Goldberg

Natalie Bennett is a British politician and journalist who led the Green Party of England and Wales from 2012 to 2016. In 2019, she became a life peer as Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, providing the Greens with representation in the House of Lords. In addition she advocates for environmental protection, social justice, democratic reform, and economic equality.

Natalie Bennett is known for promoting sustainable policies and raising Green issues in national political debates and parliamentary discussions. Along with  reflections on her own journey, these are themes she'll be exploring further as she talks with Adrian Goldberg.

A Life In Gardening

Adam is an award-winning British garden designer and presenter on the BBC’s Gardeners’ World. He regularly presents the RHS Flower Show, and has featured on The One Show, DIY SOS, and The Alan Titchmarsh Show. He also lectures on a wide range of horticultural topics, and is a regular contributor to Gardeners’ World and other horticultural magazines.

In this inspiring talk Adam celebrates the joy of growing, bringing to life stories and ideas of how he designs a garden and making it your safe place while weaving in comical stories from his own life and career. Adam also shares a heartfelt and personal reflection on the powerful role plants play in our lives, offering connection, comfort and creativity.

Whether you are a seasoned gardener, simply love being surrounded by nature, or need some inspiration for your own garden this talk is an uplifting reminder as to why gardens matter - now more than ever.

Fool’s Gold -  The inside story of the Herefordshire Viking Hoard

Dr Gareth Williams studied history at the universities of St Andrews and Bergen. He specialises in the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, and has been an expert witness in criminal trials regarding antiquities and Viking hoards - notably in the Herefordshire Viking Hoard investigation.

In 2015, metal detectorists uncovered an important hoard of Viking gold and silver near Leominster in Herefordshire. Rather than declare it as Treasure according to the law, they quickly attempted to sell it on the black market. As told in the BBC podcast Fool’s Gold, investigations by police and heritage professionals led to the recovery of some of the hoard, and to the arrest and imprisonment of the finders and some of their accomplices. This lecture, by one of the leading experts involved in the case, tells the story of that investigation, and also explains why this hoard was so important - literally changing the history of England

It's A Fair Cop

Following his laugh out loud performance at 2024's Bewdley Festival, Alfie Moore returns with a fun-filled, interactive show ahead of recording Series 10 of his hit BBC Radio 4 comedy ‘It’s A Fair Cop’.

Alfie ‘swears in’ the audience as police officers before sharing a brand new, real-life scenario from his ‘casebook’. He playfully challenges the ‘audience cops’ to say what they would’ve done in his shoes - with often unexpected and entertaining results!

Every show is unique to the audience in the room - so why not come and find out what sort of cop you’d make?! It’d be a crime to miss it!

Brilliantly funny… genuinely hilarious – David Mitchell

Offbeat, revealing and very funny – Mail

Thoroughly engaging, endlessly funny. His charisma shines through as bright and colourful as a twirling blue light – Times.

Steam + Safari II - Severn Valley Railway

Keeping On Track

Jim Seaton, a SVR volunteer and expert for 19 years, will be giving a unique insight into the heavy financial and physical investments required to keep our heritage railway running at peak performance, and some of  the trials and tribulations that they have faced.

Note that this ticket is part of a special offer! Not only will the discussion by Severn Valley Railway be an absorbing one, our other Steam & Safari discussion featuring the conservation work being done at West Midlands Safari Park will be equally fascinating. So why buy one Steam + Safari ticket for £6 when you can buy both for £10? Just select both, and the ticket system will automatically adjust the amount charged - that's great value!

Lesley Smith as Emma Hamilton

Bewdley Festival favourite Lesley Smith returns once again to Bewdley Festival as Emma Hamilton - one of the most remarkable women in English history. Born into poverty in north-west England she moved to London and reinvented herself, using her striking beauty and  personality to rise through society. Artist George Romney painted her many times, making her a celebrated figure. After relationships with several wealthy men, she married Sir William Hamilton, the British Ambassador to Sicily.

Emma later met Admiral Nelson, Britain’s greatest naval hero, and the two fell deeply in love. Their relationship caused a major scandal, particularly as Emma gave birth to Nelson’s daughter, Horatia, while still married to Hamilton. After William Hamilton’s death in 1803, followed by Nelson’s death at Trafalgar in 1805, Emma’s life declined, and she ended her days struggling with debt, drink and gambling.

Join Lesley in her striking portrayal of Emma Hamilton as she reflects on her dramatic rise and fall after Nelson’s death.

Liza Pulman & Gareth Williams - The Great American Songbook

Liza Pulman has not only been a member of the brilliant trio Fascinating Aida since 2004, she is also an acclaimed and hugely successful singer and performer in her own right.

For The Great American Songbook, she partners with  Gareth Williams, a past BBC Jazz Pianist Of The Year and an award winning guitarist, jazz pianist and composer. Together they explore the genius of Harold Arlen, Rogers & Hart, Irving Berlin, Fats Waller, Cole Porter, De Silva, and Henderson & Brown with as many of their wonderful songs as they can possibly cram into one brilliant evening.

Liza’s effortless vocals and unique musicianship, matched with the virtuoso performance of Gareth Williams, creates an intensely creative, dynamic and exciting concert. Together, they send a love letter to the Great American Songbook.

When we brought The Carducci Quartet to Bewdley Festival in 2023 it was an instant sell-out, and one of the most popular events of that year. 3 years on and we've finally managed to persuade them to return with another exciting repertoire.

Founded in 1997, the award-winning Carducci Quartet are internationally acclaimed as one of the most accomplished and versatile ensembles of today, described by The Strad as a masterclass in unanimity of musical purpose, in which severity could melt seamlessly into charm, and drama into geniality.

Do not miss this rare opportunity to see one of the world's leading String Quartets here at Bewdley Festival.

Programme:

Haydn String Quartet op.20 no.4

Mendelssohn String Quartet op.13

Shostakovich String Quartet no.3