FESTIVAL: The Cwtsh Mini Literary Festival continues with the Open Mic Spoken Word Extravaganza 42 at Ye Olde Murenger House, Newport, on Wednesday July 12 starting at 7.30pm with David J Costello and Sheila Templeton.

Sheila has won the McCash Poetry prize (the pre-eminent prize for Scots language poetry) twice and is regarded as a leading poet writing in the Scots language today. She hails from Aberdeenshire but now lives in Glasgow. Her latest collection is Getherin.

David J Costello’s first book with Red Squirrel Press is No Need For Candles and he was previously published by Thynks Publications. In 2011 he won the Welsh International Poetry Competition and was a prizewinner again last year, winning a prize in the Troubadour International Poetry Competition as well. He lives in Wallasey, Merseyside. £5 admission on the door (£3 concessions).

This open mic is a fundraiser by Cwtsh to help run the former Stow Hill Library. Come along and enjoy some great words in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Or be inspired to read your own poetry or prose to an appreciative audience.

The Mini Literary Festival concludes with the Cwtsh creative writers holding an Evening of Entertainment and showcasing their writing talents at the Cwtsh Community and Arts Centre on Friday July 14 at 7.30pm. Admission costs £3 on the door. Licensed bar available. This is sure to be an interesting and varied evening with a number of diverse talents on show.

THE BLAMELESS HUSSIES: The renowned singing duo, Jenny Goodman and Sarah Harman will be at Cwtsh on Wednesday July 19. Expect songs both political and personal as Jenny and Sarah combine their distinctive voices to move, provoke and entertain. Starts 7.30pm. Donations on the door (suggested donation £10.) Come and join Jenny and Sarah and their special guest, Gwent-based musician Julian Hayman, as they offer their unique women’s perspective on life, love, the injustices of the world and the fight for freedom.

DISPLAY: There will be a display of artwork by year six pupils of Clytha Primary School at the Cwtsh depicting Newport’s brilliant bridges until July 17. This bright and colourful exhibition is open to the public on Thursdays from noon to 3pm, Saturdays from 12.30pm to 3pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. Admission is free. Come along and view work by the prospective artists of the future.

REGULAR CLASSES: Cwtsh holds regular classes in creative writing, ukulele, French and Welsh plus a regular Welsh language pop-up bookshop on Saturday mornings.

CHILDREN’S LIBRARY: The Cwtsh Children’s Library is run by volunteers and open on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons with a wide and varied selection of books available to borrow free during term time. Doors open from 3pm to 4.30pm. It is free to join the children’s library and borrow books.

CWTSH NEEDS YOU!: Cwtsh Community and Arts Centre is always on the lookout for fresh volunteers to join the dedicated band already committed to making the Cwtsh Arts Centre a resounding success. If you feel you would like to be involved and help Cwtsh achieve even greater heights, please get in touch.

We are also actively seeking to add to our programme of day and evening classes so if you, or anyone else, you know is willing and able to run any kind of class, German, or Yoga, for example, or organise a weekly photography club, perhaps, or, maybe, hire a room, at very reasonable rates, please e-mail info@cwtsh.org or ring 01633 668425.

Details of our current or forthcoming events can be found by looking at the posters in the entrance side window at Cwtsh. For more information visit cwtsh.org or, if you would like to receive our newsletter, please go to cwtsh.org/newsletter.