EVENTS

LUDLOW: Seamus Heaney reads Housman and Heaney at the Assembly Rooms, Market Square; Sun 21, 11.30am, pounds 4.50/pounds 2.50. 01527 872422.

BIRMINGHAM: a four-day course on the art of Caribbean story-telling with Amina Blackwood Meekes at MAC, Cannon Hill; Mon 22 to Thur 25, pounds 100. 0121 446 4301.

KEGWORTH: "Writers in the Garden": Peter Vansittart, Josephine Pullein- Thompson, Martyn Crucefix and Sarah Harrison read in the garden of Whatton House; Wed 24, 7.30pm, pounds 3.50. Bring a rug or seat. For information ring 0171 833 9111

CANTERBURY: travel writer Bettina Selby talks about her latest book Like Water in a Dry Land at Waterstone's, 20-21 St Margarets St; Thur 25, 7pm, free. 01227 456343

HEBDEN BRIDGE: Wendy Berner tells traditional tales from Canada at Stubbing Wharf pub, King St; Fri 26, 8pm, pounds 2.50/pounds 1.50. 01422 844786

GRASMERE: Wordsworth Summer Conference this year celebrates Robert Burns as well as WW, with delegates from around the world; Sun 27 to Sat 10 Aug, lectures at Prince of Wales Hotel pounds 5; full day pounds 35. For further details ring 015394 35544