THE future of education in the Golden Valley is up for debate at the Hay Festival following now withdrawn school closure proposals from Herefordshire Council in January.

Fairfield High School head Christopher Barker will join the council’s head of commissioning and improvement George Salmon, Conservative parliamentary candidate Jesse Norman and journalist Matthew Engel for a discussion chaired by festival founder Peter Florence on May 22 entitled “The Schools Crisis and After”.

The debate will also see the launch of a “How Gold is Our Valley” magazine celebrating the diversities of Golden Valley life.

For tickets call the festival office on 0870 9901299.