For the first time ever the Churches in the Diocese of Hereford are to take a stand at Hay Festival, the country’s largest literary event. The stand will feature the work of the Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust alongside the promotion of many of the grade one listed buildings as places for Festival goers to visit.

“Our church buildings are amazing historic ones, an important part of the our heritage and we hope the sort of thing that will attract the people who go to Hay on Wye  for the Festival,”  said Anni Holden, spokeswoman for the Diocese of Hereford. “Our churches are tourist attractions and an important part of the local tourist market, so we have taken a positive approach and produced some really attractive leaflets.”

The stand, which can be found near the Sky Arts Studio, is staffed by different organisations working together. Visit Herefordshire have helped to fund the site; The Three Choirs Festival, which is being held in August will have a presence; Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust will also be there encouraging people to support them in raising funds for the cathedral’s restoration programme.

“We are hoping to have a couple of choristers from the Cathedral on the stand at some point during the event as well as some of the stonemasons demonstrating their very specialist work,” said Anni. “The visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Archbishop Desmond Tutu during this year’s Hay Festival has certainly influenced our decision to get involved.”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a guest of honour at this year’s event, will deliver the Hamilton Lecture on Thursday  28th April at 7.30pm in the evening. Earlier in the day Archbishop Rowan Williams will be talking to A.N. Wilson about  the Russian writer, Dostoevsky. Both Archbishops will be present when, at a special lunch, the winner of The Michael Ramsey Prize is announced. The five shortlisted authors will be discussing their books in a session chaired by The Guardian columnist, Madeleine Bunting.

Note to editors:

The Stand No. 23 is bringing together
Visit Herefordshire
The Diocese of Hereford
Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust
The Three Choirs Festival – Hereford 2009