THE 21st Hay Literary Festival starts on May 22 and booking has opened for an exciting fortnight, with a fabulously varied programme offering food for thought, whatever your taste. There’s a former US president and Nobel Laureate, Doctor Who’s current companion, a Hollywood star, a galaxy of literary greats and the US bishop whose homosexuality threatens the schism of the Anglican Church. Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, presents The Guardian lecture onc onflict resolution and human rights, and the work of the Carter Foundation. Catherine Tate leaves the Doctor elsewhere to talk about a rather different companion, Shakespeare and Me, and movie legend Kathleen Turner arrives in Hay to talk about her life and work and her poignant autobiographical self-portrait, Send Yourself Roses: My Life, Love and Leading Roles. In the 2008 President’s Lecture, the Rt Rev V Gene Robinson, the Bishop of New Hampshire, whose appointment stirred up a storm among Anglicans will discuss The State of the Communion. The celebration of creative writing is, as always, central to the festival with appearances scheduled from, among many others, Alan Bennett, John Irving, Marian Keyes, Julian Barnes, Louis de Bernieres, Salman Rushdie and the author of this month’s Hereford Times Book Group selection, Julie Myerson. The unique mix that is Hay Literary Festival also contains music, comedy, workshops and plenty of added attractions on-site. Almost 500 events.herefordtimes.com/" target= "_blank">events are listed in the programme for Hay Festival’s 21st birthday, which offers, as founder Peter Florence says in his introduction, “a chance to mature our commitment to being local and global, to champion great creative writing in all media, to respect the blessing of this staggeringly beautiful natural enviroment, to deepen our engagement with the most passionately held beliefs that fuel conflict around the world, and to throw ourselves headlong into the pursuit of a really good time”. For full details of the festival, which runs from Thursday, May 22, to Sunday, June 1, visit hayfestival.com. Book online or call the box office on 0870 990 1299.

Hay fever HAY Fever, the festival’s programme for families and young people, offers loads to do during half-term. Family comfort and creative play are at the heart of Hay Fever, which has grown to include a garden where parents can relax with a coffee or have a picnic. Alongside a full programme of main stage authors, including Allan Ahlberg, Eoin Colfer, Jacqueline Wilson and Carnegie Medal shorlisted local author and Guardian Children’s Fiction winner, Jenny Valentine, there will be comedy from James Campbell and Blue Peter’s Gethin Jones narrating Prokoviev’s enchanting classic, Peter and the Wolf. There are also more opportunities than ever to get involved and have a go. An expanded workshop programme offers the chance to try everything from break-dancing to ballet, cartoons to opera,with a huge range of free activities open to everyone.

On the buses THIS year sees the introduction of a dedicated shuttle bus service from Hereford railway station to the festival site in Hay-on-Wye. The service, designed to coincide with train arrivals and departures, begins on Thursday, May 22, and will run throughout the festival until the evening of Sunday, June 1. Ticket prices will be: £5 single, £9 return for adults and, for children, £2 single and £3 return. There will be request stops in Hereford at King’s Acre Road, Whitecross Road, Eign Street and Cattle Market. Further request stops will be located at Portway Hotel, Letton Post Office, Whitney-on-Wye Church and Rhydspence Border. Organisers hope to encourage visitors to use public transport, reducing the carbon footprint of the festival and aiding it in its efforts to become carbon minimal.

Bread of heaven Warren Lee Cohen (author of Baking Bread with Children) will be on hand to help children make and shape dough to bake in his on-site clay oven. He is also looking for a new bread recipe and would like to hear from aspiring young bakers. If you have an idea, contact julie@hayfestival.com. The winning recipe will be baked on site, and the winner will also receive a copy of Baking Bread with Children. Warren will be alternating with Sasha Norris, author of Super Kids – 200 Ways to Save the Planet, who will be helping children learn about plants and flowers. Full details of all events.herefordtimes.com/" target="_blank">events can be found at www.hayfestival.com