IRISH music by the Oddsods at the Blue Note Caf heralds the start of Leominster Festival on May 29, followed by the annual Anne Rutherford Memorial Exhibition which opens at the library on May 30.

This year's programme includes a variety of concerts and recitals featuring Sam Haywood, Chris Long and Andrew Morris, Adam Green and Simon Lepper, Leominster Junior School, Angela East and Christopher Barton.

Jazz fans will be pleased to see Esther Miller on the programme, while John Sergeant and Germaine Greer should prove crowd pullers in their own right.

An illustrated talk on wildlife photography by Michael Leach should be fascinating, while those who love musicals will enjoy The Charlestone Chasers - Europe's number one vintage orchestra.

Highlight

A highlight of festival week is Leominster Choral Society's presentation of Verdi's Requiem with Bromyard Choral Society and the Regency Sinfonia Orchestra.

Conducted by Vernon Thurgood, the soloists for the evening on June 1 will be soprano Alwyn Mellor, mezzo soprano Gaynor Keeble, tenor Stephen Davies and bass David Usher. The performance is dedicated in memory of David Horlock.

Different

The internationally renowned a capella and dance group, Black Umfolosi will delight those looking for something a little different.

The festival closes, as usual, with the ever popular Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, under Michael Lloyd.

The festival box office in the Buttercross, Leominster is now open and for details, or to book tickets, they can be contacted on 01568 611190.