Hay Castle Events

Composer and poet Giles Swayne will be reading selections from his recent book of 200 sonnets, Matters arising. Known for his powerful choral compositions, Swayne reveals in his poetry the same intellectual rigour and emotional depth which characterises his music.

Matters arising is Swayne’s first major poetry collection. The sonnets reflect on memory, mortality, and the quiet dramas of everyday existence. Many of them are comic, and some are quite lewd. To quote Christopher Reid (Poetry Editor at Faber and Faber from 1991 to 1999) they are “an emphatic declaration on the side of high spirits, and a refusal to be cowed or silenced by menacing realities.”



CXXXIX As the actress said to the bishop
“Cor, that’s a big one, Bish!” the actress lied.
“You’re quite a Lord, my lad,” she coyly giggled
As he unveiled his archepiscopal pride
And joy. “Well, thank you, dear!” he blushed, and wriggled
In modest and obese embarrassment.
“But I must warn you, Madam,” he pursued,
“We bishops are subject to sexual harassment
And blackmail. When I featured in the nude
As centrefold of Hustler magazine
Some years ago, most clergymen enthused
About the pics (both tasteful and obscene),
But Synod – sadly – was not much amused,
And sentenced me to wear sackcloth and ashes
For forty days, and suffer forty lashes.”

CLXXXVII Hello?
Why do we write? What fine words can we utter
To butter parsnips? Is that old creative
Urge a genetic tic, a mere neurosis?
Perhaps it is; perhaps we leave our mark
In music, words or pictures like a dog
Which lifts its leg against a pissing-tree
To mark its passage – “Hello, world – it’s me!”
It’s not as if this planet’s all agog
To read these lines; why, then, did I embark
On writing them? Was it some strange hypnosis
Which led me on? Are bardic urges native
To all of us, or am I just a nutter?
Whatever be the reason, all I know
Is that it does me good to say hello.


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Join us for an engaging evening with Natalie Haynes, acclaimed author, broadcaster, and classicist, as she delves into the stories behind her celebrated works. Known for her witty and insightful approach to Greek mythology and ancient history, she brings the past vividly to life for modern audiences.

In this special exclusive event in the beautiful Great Hall, Natalie will share her passion for reimagining the myths of Homer and other classical writers for the modern reader through a contemporary lens. Expect sharp wit, fascinating insights, and a conversation that will make you see the classics in a whole new light.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of today’s most compelling voices in literature and classical studies.

The Castle Main Gallery will also be open for Clive Hicks-Jenkins - The Art of the Book, which, as part of the exhibition, visually reinterprets the timeless stories of The Iliad and The Oddyssy for the Folio Society’s latest publication. His bold, contemporary style brings Homer’s legendary heroes and battles to life - vivid, dramatic, and unforgettable.
Natalie will be signing copies of her books after the event.

Following the critical acclaim of their debut album Source of the Severn, the Will Barnes Quartet returns with Outside the Light—a bold and expressive new chapter in their artistic journey. This second album deepens the group’s exploration of the interplay between jazz improvisation and the evocative landscapes of Mid Wales and the Welsh Marches. Through a collection of original compositions, the album weaves lyrical beauty with intricate rhythmic interplay.
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Led by guitarist and composer Will Barnes, the quartet features pianist Jack Gonsalez, bassist Aidan Thorne, and drummer James Batten—an ensemble recognised for its tight chemistry and compelling live performances. Their sound pays homage to jazz greats such as Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, and Oscar Peterson, while forging a distinct voice rooted in contemporary expression.

The quartet has performed at major UK venues and festivals, including Pizza Express Jazz Club (Soho), Hay Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival, and BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends. Source of the Severn earned praise from critics, with MOJO highlighting their “springy deftness… cool precision… serious chops,” and The Jazz Mann describing the album as “evocative, intelligent… contemporary.”
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Outside the Light showcases a group in full creative stride, offering audiences an immersive evening of modern jazz that’s both emotionally resonant and musically sophisticated.

HAY MUSIC presents a concert for children - but adults will love it too!

In this much-loved musical fairytale, composed by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936, the narrator tells a folk story which the players illustrate by playing the different instruments which represent each character in the story.

Performed by the Solstice Collective wind quintet with narrator Felix Ashley who are all graduates of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Tickets: Adults £15 / under 25s FREE directly from Hay Music