Willow Weaving Workshop with Sophie Francis
at the Methodist Hall
Time 10am to 4pm
Up to 8 participants
Come and make a beautiful willow and rush shallow bowl, of approximately 8″ diameter, with Phi Evans and Sophie Francis. You will learn about the properties of willow and rush. Learn how to make rush cordage and plaits, alongside some basic techniques of frame basketry. All materials provided.
Admission £70 – booking online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/BCTH or at BC Town Hall
Catch the Poetry Bug
at the Poetry Pharmacy, 36 High St, Bishop’s Castle, SY9 5BQ
Time – 10.30am to 11.30am
Join in with poet Debra Bertulis as she performs some of her (really) silly poems, then when she stops being silly, learn how to write your own poem in this fun, inspiring, interactive poetry session! Ages 5 – 8
Booking here – https://poetrypharmacy.co.uk/pages/events-in-bishops-castle
Writing from Stillness with Sarah Holland
at the Poetry Pharmacy Lab, High St, Bishop’s Castle, SY9 5BQ
Time – 11.00am to 1pm
Sarah will gently guide you to write from a place of stillness, a place where the body can express itself without the interruption of the usual mind chatter.
With guided meditation, contemplation, and creative exercises, this relaxing session kick-starts the 2026 Bishop’s Castle Arts Festival Programme at the Poetry Pharmacy in an immersive experience of writing for wellbeing.
Booking here – https://poetrypharmacy.co.uk/pages/events-in-bishops-castle
Textile Applique with Meg Hemmings
at Stars, 70 Church St, Bishops Castle SY9 5AE
Time 10.30am – 12.30pm
Up to 10 participants.
Stitching on Linen – using different threads, beads, sequins; creating a little work of art. A basic knowledge of stitching would be useful. All materials supplied.
Admission £5 – booking essential to secure a place – online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/BCTH or at BC Town Hall
2 Printing Workshops with Catherine Jones
at the Town Hall
All of Catherine’s workshops include all materials but please wear old clothes, bring an apron and a pack of wet wipes. Catherine loves sharing ways of creating art, often using simple materials, and encouraging everyone to tap into their creative side.
www.catherinejonesart.co.uk & www.catherinejonesart.co.uk/art-outside
Gelli Printing for young people
maximum 15 people plus any adult carers
Time 10.30am to 12.00
Gelli printing is a colourful and fun way of creating monoprints (that is, one off prints) using a rubbery base which we roll acrylic paint onto, and then using stencils, plant matter and other objects, create textures, patterns and images. It’s always experimental, there are really no strict rules, only good ideas, and it’s suitable for all ages. Children under the age of 10 will need to be accompanied by an adult to supervise their child. It’s also essential to wear old clothes and bring an apron as acrylic paints stain!
The images you create will be great for making greetings cards, use as collage materials or as pictures in their own right! And they will be fascinating, beautiful and originals!
Children Free but donations are very welcome – booking is essential, just book in the child booking online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/BCTH or at BC Town Hall
Traditional Stained Glass Painting Workshops
at The Old Vicarage, Church Street, SY9 5AF
Time 11am – 1pm or 3pm – 5pm
Max 8 students per group Age 14+ and adults
On a piece of coloured glass (approx. 13 x 18 cm), use kiln fired glass paint to create a panel of your own design. A simple black frame will be provided for you to hang it in front of a window at home. Please wear old clothes and bring an apron/overall. N.B. the glass paint contains lead, appropriate health & safety advice will be given on the day
Cost £25
Booking is via the Town Hall or online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/BCTH
Helen can be contacted on – oriel.glass@btinternet.com
Gelli Printing for adults
maximum 15 people
Time 1pm to 3pm
Gelli printing is a colourful and fun way of creating monoprints (that is, one off prints) using a rubbery base which we roll acrylic paint onto, and then using stencils, plant matter and other objects, create textures, patterns and images. It’s always experimental, there are really no strict rules, only good ideas, and it’s suitable for all ages. It’s also essential to wear old clothes and bring an apron as acrylic paints stain!
The images you create will be great for making greetings cards, use as collage materials or as pictures in their own right! And they will be fascinating, beautiful and originals!
Cost £14 – online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/BCTH or at BC Town Hall
Ollie Wilkins and his Tin-type pop-up studio
at the Stars Shop, opposite the Co-op, High Street
Time 2pm – 7pm
Wet Plate Collodion & Tintype Photography
Oliver uses victorian cameras and early photographic techniques to create enigmatic images made of silver on glass and metal. Taking this delicate process on location to explore the relationship between people and landscape, his images are textured by wind, rain and sun.
Process takes around half an hour. Final piece posted after varnishing, Hats / props / dress-up welcome – 5”x4” portrait = £15
Turn up or book a slot at oliver@oliverwilkins.com
– a talk by TBC
at the Church Barn
Time 2.00pm
Details to follow
Cost £3.50 book online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/BCTH or at BC Town Hall
Painting with a Straw with Sue Percy
at the Town Hall, High Street.
Time – from 2pm (Drop-in)
Paint by blowing through a straw. Create weird and wonderful shapes, designs and imaginary creatures.
Admission FREE for youngsters
Catch the Poetry Bug
at the Poetry Pharmacy, 36 High St, Bishop’s Castle, SY9 5BQ
Time – 2pm to 3.30pm
Join in with poet Debra Bertulis as she performs some of her (really) silly poems, then when she stops being silly, learn how to write your own poem in this fun, inspiring, interactive poetry session! Ages 9 – 13
Booking here – https://poetrypharmacy.co.uk/pages/events-in-bishops-castle
Life Drawing workshop with Liv Bargman
at the Porch House, High Street.
Time 5pm to 7pm
Up to 14 people 
Life drawing session led by Artist and Illustrator Liv Bargman, who will talk through some of her techniques. We will have a nude model, and will start off with quick poses to warm up, working up to a 30 minute long pose, with a tea break around the midway point. Basic materials provided or you can bring your own.
Flora has been running life drawing classes in Bishops Castle since 2022. Sessions are usually untutored and take place on the last Thursday of the month at the Porch House – a beautiful ancient timber framed building on the High Street. It’s a very intimate and informal setting and everyone is welcome! If you are interested in attending future dates contact florapatern@gmail.com to be notified a few days in advance of each session.
Admission £15 – booking online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/BCTH or at BC Town Hall
A Writer’s Life – a talk by Jasper Fforde
Time : 6pm
at the Library, Enterprise House, Station Street
Internationally acclaimed author Jasper Fforde, friend of libraries everywhere will give a talk on the theme ‘This writer’s Life’.
Fforde has published books since 2001, featuring his unique humor, literary playfulness, and whimsical world-building. But he also has a background in the film industry, and enjoys exploring rural Wales (where he lives) capturing black and white images with his Rolliflex.
Sure to be a fascinating event, book early at the library counter (preferred method) or otherwise on ticket source (link to follow).
Tickets £3.50 –
at the Poetry Pharmacy, 36 High St, Bishop’s Castle, SY9 5BQ
Join us for a special event open mic for Bishop’s Castle Arts Festival with special guests Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger.
All are welcome and all who wish to will get an opportunity to read. No need to prebook – just sign up on the night.
Admission £5 on the door. Refreshments included in the entrance price.
Rapsquillion and Wildwood Jack
Time – 7.30pm for 8pm start
Festival regulars Rapsquillion will once again be starting their new season with a concert in The Town Hall. Glad to be on home territory once again after 2025 which saw them travelling the length and breadth of the UK, bombarding festival audiences and folk club members with their eclectic collection of songs, tunes and general fun.
Wildwood Jack are a totally unique acoustic guitar and ukulele duo from Kent. Having sold their home in 2013 to hit the road and tour the world they bring an intimate, heartwarming and adventurous spirit to their music and to audiences wherever they play.
Admission – £12 booking online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/BCTH or at BC Town Hall
Bishop's Castle Arts Festival 