Bridget Gubbins: My Mother and the Curate - two diaries 80 years apart on life in rural England

What could a Victorian curate and a 1950s mother-of-five possibly have in common? Morpeth storyteller Bridget Gubbins invites you to find out in her beautifully crafted new book My Mother and the Curate.
Set in the enchanting Welsh border village of Hay-on-Wye, this unique narrative draws from two deeply personal diaries—written 83 years apart—revealing a shared love of the countryside, quiet reflection, and heartfelt longing. In her own inimitable style, Bridget has woven together diary extracts spanning ten months to create a vivid snapshot of rural life across generations.
From peaceful walks through rolling hills to intimate confessions of joy and sorrow, this is a story of connection, memory, and place. Whether you are drawn to history, nature, or the quiet power of personal storytelling, this promises to be a festival highlight.
Come along and be transported to the countryside of Hay-on-Wye, and discover the legacy of two lives beautifully intertwined.