What’s on V
Celebrating women
enues across Monmouth will be buzzing with activity during the first ten days of March when the 10th annual Monmouth
Women’s Festival takes place. The festival has grown enormously since its
inception but its core philosophy remains the same – to celebrate the achievements of women and to raise issues of concern to women both locally and internationally. In its earliest form it consisted of a small number
of events over a few days, ten years on it is a primary cultural event in Monmouthshire. With a huge variety of speakers and events, it attracts audiences from the local area and from further afield. The festival always occurs around the date of
International Women’s Day, March 8, and over the years has attracted a great range of speakers, from a fighter pilot to a wine producer, an international businesswoman to a royal correspondent. This year, to celebrate its first decade, a ten-
day series of events has been planned to run from March 1 to March 10, which this year is Mothering Sunday. Around the theme of ‘Where Are We Now?’
speakers will be exploring what progress has been made for women in areas such as justice, health, politics and the law. They include Angela Gorman, CEO and
cofounder of Life for African Mothers, a charity which aims to make childbirth safer in Sub Saharan Africa. Four author talks have been arranged in liaison
with Rossiter Books. They are Katie Fforde, Alison Weir,
Jenn Ashworth, and Jackie Morris. The festival holds a host of other delights too.
Artist Pat Yallup will talk about her life’s work, and best-selling print artist Kay Leverton will host a scraper board workshop at The New Leaf Gallery. Garden enthusiasts will be able to enjoy
guided walks around The Priory, Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls garden, the Nelson Garden, a trip to Kentchurch Court, and join award-winning Cheryl Cummings on a garden design study day. Embracing sport, fitness, health, self-awareness,
local history and with presentations on Fairtrade, Oxfam’s vision for Women and a Women in Business motivational half-day event aimed at helping, supporting and inspiring local business women, the festival covers some of the more serious issues faced by women today. But ultimately the idea of a festival is to
commemorate and celebrate so with that in mind for sheer entertainment there is an all-female group of singers, a comedienne and an exotic dinner to enjoy.
• Full details can be found in the festival brochure available throughout Monmouth and tickets can be purchased from Rossiter Books, telephone 01600 775572 or online via
www.monmouthwomensfestival.org
58 February 24
Past the park, the Tintern Totter – guided walk Tintern, 9.30am to 4pm An energetic 12 mile walk organised by the Brecon Beacons Park Society from Tintern Abbey to Cleddon, Trellech and Catbrook returning via Lower Hale Wood. No dogs. Energetic walks generally involve two steep climbs and determined application. Park in the abbey car park at Tintern. For more information contact Malcolm Winney. 07971 296699.
February 26 – 28
West Side Story Chepstow School, Chepstow 7.30pm Adults £6, concs £4, family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) £17. Chepstow School presents this action packed musical. Contact the school for tickets on 01291 635777
February 27
Barry Cryer and Ronnie Golden in Going Gaga Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 8pm, £16. This dynamic duo, with a combined age of 142, promise you a riotous, rip-roaring night of comedy and song. Box office: 01873 850805
February 29 – April 20
Icons by Elin Sian Blake Gallery in the Square, Usk An exhibition of new paintings by local artist Elin Sian Blake exploring the passion of the national game. The invitation is being officially opened by rugby legend Scott Quinnell on February 28 at a special preview event. For more information visit
www.galleryinthesquare.net
March 2
T.Rextasy: I Love to Boogie tour Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 7.30pm. £17.50, concs £15.50 This tribute band has been performing all over the world for 20 years. If you want to know exactly what a Marc Bolan concert was like in the 1970s, this is the show for you. Box office: 01873 850805
March 2
Andrew Lawrence is coming to get you Savoy Theatre, Monmouth 8pm. £15, students £13
A selection of just some of the events going on in Monmouthshire. Compiled by Jo Barnes
Twice nominated Best UK Headline Act at the Chortle Awards 2010/11 and former Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, audiences can expect an evening of top class stand-up comedy from Andrew Lawrence. His blend of rage and good grammar is a delight. Box office: 01600 772467
March 3
Rodney Bewes: A Boy Growing Up Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 7.30pm. £12, concs £10. A one-man show based on Dylan Thomas’ celebrated stories including Early One Morning and Portrait of an Artist as a Young Dog. Box office: 01873 850805
March 5
Judy Finnigan The Drill Hall, Chepstow 7.30pm. A fantastic treat as broadcaster, journalist and Book Club champion Judy Finnigan reads from and talks about her compulsively-readable and incredibly
haunting debut novel Eloise. Judy will be interviewed by her husband Richard Madeley. For tickets details contact Chepstow Bookshop on 01291 625011
March 7 – 9
Me and My Girl Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 7.30pm. £10, concs £9. The Concept Players present the ultimate feel good musical. Box office: 01873 850805
March 8
Showaddywaddy 40th anniversary tour Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm. £18 Recreating the music of the 1950s, Showaddywaddy were one of the biggest successes of the 1970s dominating the British charts with hits like Under the Moon of Love and Hey Rock and Roll. Box office: 01600 772467
March 9
Sean Lock – Purple Van Man Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 8pm. £17.50, from Car Care and DS Music, Monnow Street, Monmouth. This is an hilarious new stand-up show from Sean Lock, the most fertile comic mind in Britain. Box office: 01600 772467
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