LIVE EVENTS LIST 2026

 

MARK BARDSLEY 

AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR 

VISITS & EVENTS 2026

(PUBLIC EVENTS in ENGLAND & WALES)

On-the-Spot PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING

(events with an asterisk * include a children's workshop)

Email: bardsleyart@gmail.com to book appearances & workshops

January 2026

*HARDY'S BOOK STORE

SATURDAY 31ST 10.30am- 5pm. BOOK SIGNING & LIVE PET CARICATURING &

BERRIEW STREET, WELSHPOOL, POWYS, MID WALES  SY21 7SQ

FREE ENTRY

*CHILDREN'S WORK SHOP; HOW TO DRAW YOUR DOG at 2pm

Followed at 3pm, by SHERLOCK HOLMES BOOK LAUNCH & TALKS by

MARK BARDSLEY & WRITER, EURWYN PIERCE JONES.

Launching the 3rd edition of  'Y Cylch Brith' Welsh translation of

SHERLOCK HOLMES adventure, 'THE SPECKLED BAND'.

Cover illustration by Mark Bardsley.

Translation by Eurwyn Pierce Jones.

March 2026

* WHITCHURCH CALDECOTT FESTIVAL

SATURDAY 21st, WHITCHURCH, SHROPSHIRE.

All Festival events are FREE ENTRY

Venues;  cartoon workshop for children at the Library from 10.30am - 12.30 am

and a talk on children's book illustration at the Watergate Centre 2.30pm-3.30pm

April 2026

*MANOR WOOD HOLIDAY PARK

MILL LANE, CODDINGTON, CHESHIRE. CH3 9EN.

WEDNESDAY 1st, FREE ENTRY to CAFE (where I will be located)

A children's workshop at 11am with Book Signing and Pet Caricaturing in the afternoon

until 5pm.

Tel: 01829782990| Email: info@manorwoodcaravans.co.uk | Web: www.manor-wood.com

CHARLIE'S COUNTRY STORE (COED Y DINAS)

WELSHPOOL SY21 8RP  (next to the A458)  

 SATURDAY 4th,  10am-4pm  

 Pet Caricaturing and Book signing

Tel: 01938 555545

SHREWSBURY LIBRARY

Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 2AS  

 

 SATURDAY 11th,  10am-3.30pm  

 Pet Caricaturing and Book signing

Tel: 01743 255308

May 2026

PONTYPRIDD & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY DOG SHOW 

UNITED COUNTIES SHOWGROUND NANTCI 

CARMARTHEN, CARMARTHENSHIRE SA33 5DR

Located just off the A40 at the western end of Carmarthen.    

SATURDAY 2nd   

 Pet Caricaturing and Book Signing

PERTON SCIENCE FESTIVAL 

PERTON LIBRARY, SEVERN DRIVE, PERTON, WOLVERHAMPTON,

STAFFORDSHIRE WV6 7QU

SATURDAY 9th   9.30am-5pm

 Pet Caricaturing and Book Signing

SHROPSHIRE COUNTY SHOW

SHREWSBURY SHOW GROUND, GRAVEL HILL LANE, SHREWSBURY

SHROPSHIRE 

(In the arts & Crafts area)

SATURDAY 23rd   9am-5pm

 Pet Caricaturing and Book Signing

Tel: 01743 289 831

*BROSELEY LIBRARY

Broseley Telford

SHROPSHIRE 

SATURDAY 29th  10am-4pm

 Pet Caricaturing, Book Signing and cartoon workshop.

Tel: 01743 289 831

June 2026

SIOE SIR CEREDIGION

ABERYSTWYTH & CEREDIGION COUNTY SHOW

SY23 3HP

info@sioeaberystwythshow.co.uk

SATURDAY 13th 

CRAVEN ARMS SUMMER FUN DAY

SHROPSHIRE (craven arms playing fields)

11.30am - 3.30pm

SATURDAY 20th 

GNOSALL CRAFT FAIR, SHROPSHIRE

SATURDAY 27th 

July 2026

SOUTH WALES SHIRE HORSE SOCIETY 2026 ANNUAL SHOW

ABERGAVENNY 

Bailey Park NP7 5SS 

SATURDAY 4th 

CUAN  ANIMAL RESCUE OPEN DAY & DOG SHOW

Much Wenlock, Shropshire.

SATURDAY 18th 10am - 5pm.

VRONGATE SHOW, VENNINGTON, (Nr Shrewsbury) SHROPSHIRE SY5 9RQ

SATURDAY 25th

vrongateshow.com

August 2026

OSWESTRY SHOW

Park Hall show ground, Shropshire SY11 4AB

SATURDAY 1st  8.30am - 5pm.

www.oswestryshow.co.uk

info@oswestryshow.co.uk

HEDNESFORD SUMMER FESTIVAL Free Entry

HEDNESFORD PARK, VICTORIA STREET WS12 1Q

SATURDAY 8th 11am - 4p

DENBIGHSHIRE AND FLINTSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SHOW

The Denbigh and Flint Showground, The Green, Denbigh, LL16 4UB

THURSDAY 20th 11am - 4pm.

MEIRIONEDD COUNTY SHOW, DOLGELLAU, GWYNEDD LL40 2YF

WEDNESDAY 26th

sioesir.org.uk

BERRIEW SHOW

Berriew, Powys. Mid Wales.SY21 8AN

SATURDAY 29th 10am - 5pm.

September 2026

LONGSHAW SHEEP DOG TRIALS

LONGSHAW LODGE, SHEFFIELD S11 7TZ

THURSDAY 3rd to SATURDAY 5th

KINGSTON SHOW

OVALS FARM, LYONSHALL, KINGTON HEREFORD HR5 3LN

SATURDAY 12th 9am - 6pm

LATEST EVENTS 2025

MARK BARDSLEY LIVE DATES 2025

(PUBLIC EVENTS in ENGLAND & WALES)

On-the-Spot PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING  (events with an asterisk include a children's workshop) 

FEBRUARY 2025

*Shrewsbury Library, Shropshire, SATURDAY 15th.

*Oswestry Library, Shropshire, TUESDAY  18th & WEDNESDAY 19th.

MARCH 2025

*Codsall Library, Staffordshire. WV8 1PX. FRIDAY 21st (World Poetry Day) & SATURDAY 22nd.

Saturday includes a free children's workshop; 'How to write illustrated animal poems', 11am - 12pm.

(booking advised, phone 01902 506060).

APRIL 2025

Charlies Store, Coed y Dinas, Welshpool, Powys SY21 8RP. SATURDAY 19th. 10am till 4pm

Hoo Zoo (Comicon) Telford TF6 6DJ. MONDAY 21st (bank holiday).

*Church Stretton Library, Shropshire. FRIDAY 25th (World Penguin day) & SATURDAY 26th

Both days include a free children's workshop; 'How to write illustrated animal poems', 11.30am - 12.30pm.

MAY 2025

Caffi Wylfa, Chirk, nr Wrexham LL14 5BS. SATURDAY 3rd & MONDAY 5th. 10am till 4pm

A beautiful dog friendly café beside the Llangollen canal and the Chirk tunnel.

Perton Library Science fair & spring festival, Staffordshire WV6 7QU. SATURDAY 10th, 10am till 3pm. Free event.

GSP Rescue UK. 'Meet the breed and fun dog show'.  Rodbaston Equestrian Centre, 

Penkridge ST19 5PH SUNDAY 18th.

Shropshire Agricultural Show, Shrewsbury show ground, Shropshire SY1 2PF. SATURDAY 24th

*Ellesmere Library, Trimply Street, Ellesmere, Shropshire SY12 0AE. 

FRIDAY 30th, 10am - 4pm, pet cartooning and book signing.

SATURDAY 31st, 9am - 4pm as above including a free Children's Workshop; 'How to draw your pets - and write poems about them' at 11am till 12pm ( booking advisable, Library phone: 01743 258555)

JUNE 2025

WCF Pet & Equestrian, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 7AB. SATURDAY 7th.

10am - 5pm

WCF Pet & Equestrian, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7JU. SATURDAY 14th.

10am - 5pm 

SHROPSHIRE HILLS DISCOVERY CENTRE, Craven Arms, SY7 9RS, 

SATURDAY 21st 10am - 5pm

HAFAN YR AFON Dog Friendly Cafe, the Park, Newtown, Powys.

SATURDAY 28th from 10am - 4pm

JULY 2025

THE SECRET GARDEN CAFE , Pentwyn Farm, Mamhilad NP4 OJE (near Pontypool))

 9.30am till 4pm. Book Signing & Live pet caricaturing.

A beautiful rural café and garden centre set in the idyllic farmland of South Wales.

FRIDAY 4th July,

ABERGAVENNY SHIRE & MINIATURE HORSE SHOW 

Bailey Park,  Park Road, Abergavenny NP75PR. 

SATURDAY5th. 9am-4pm.

*CANNOCK LIBRARY, Manor Avenue, Cannock, Staffordshire. WS11 1AA.

SATURDAY 19th. Meet the author and summer workshop.

*RUGELEY LIBRARY, 12 Anson St WS15 2BB. 10am-4pm

TUESDAY 22nd 

*BROSELEY LIBRARY, Bridgnorth Road, Broseley, Shropshire TF12 5EQ. 

THURSDAY 24th.

CUAN VALLEY RESCUE CENTRE, Much Wenlock, Shropshire TF13 6DD 

SATURDAY 26th.

*PERTON LIBRARY Severn Drive, Wolverhampton WV6 7QU 10am-4pm

TUESDAY 29th

*MANOR WOOD CARAVAN PARK, Coddington, Chester CH3 9EN. 

WEDNESDAY 30TH.

AUGUST 2025

*SHREWSBURY LIBRARY, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 2AS.

Author visit and workshops. (1 for adults and 1 for children) 

TUESDAY 5th & Wednesday 6th.

HEDNESFORD SUMMER FESTIVAL, Hednesford Park, Staffordshire WS12 1BT.

SATURDAY 9th 11am-4pm. 

*HOO ZOO, Telford. TF6 6DJ. Book Signing, Demo Drawing and On the Spot Pet Caricaturing.

TUESDAY 12th

*LAPWORTH MUSEUM OF GEOLOGY, University of Birmingham B15 2TT  Phone 0121 414 7294

Drawing Dinosaurs! (times yet to be announced).

WEDNESDAY 13th

*LUDLOW LIBRARY, 7-9 Parkway Lane SY82PG. Phone 01743 250510

'How to Draw Garden Animals', Children's Workshop, 10.30-11.30am

SATURDAY 16th (there from 10am till 12.30pm.)

*OSWESTRY LIBRARY, Arthur Street, Shropshire SY11 1JN. 

Author visit & workshops. ( 1 for adults and 1 for children)

TUESDAY 19th & 

WEDNESDAY 20th.

BERRIEW SHOW, Powys SY21 8AN. 

SATURDAY 23rd. From 10am.

BAKEWELL TOWN HALL, The Square, Derbyshire. DE45 1BT Phone 01629 81152

FREE ADMISSION; Book Signing & LIVE PET CARTOONING

WEDNESDAY 27th 10am-4pm

LONGSHAW SHEEP DOG TRIALS, Longshaw lodge, hope valley. Sheffield, S11 7TZ.

Book signing & live pet cartooning.

THURSDAY 28th. 10am-5pm.

SEPTEMBER 2025

HAFAN YR AFON DOG FRIENDLY CAFE, the Park, Newtown, Powys. 10am - 5pm

SATURDAY 6th 

 KINGTON AGRICULTURAL SHOW. The Ovals Farm, Kington, Herefordshire. HR5 3LN.

SATURDAY 13th.

SEVERN HOSPICE FUN DOG SHOW. Severn Hospice, Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury SY3 8HS

SATURDAY 20th 10am-4pm. refreshevents@severnhospice.org.uk Tel:01743 236565

OCTOBER 2025

BRADELEY GREEN PET STORE, DOG FRIENDLY CAFE & FARM SHOP.

Tarporley Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 4HD.Phone 01948 668100.

SATURDAY 11th, 10am- 4pm. Book Signing & Live Pet Caricaturing.

ABERTILLERY DOG SHOW, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES.

Book signing &caricaturing.

SATURDAY 18th. 

BAKEWELL VISITOR CENTRE, BAKEWELL, DERBYSHIRE.

Book signing & pet caricaturing.

SATURDAY 25th 10am - 4pm.

BAKEWELL TOWN HALL, DERBYSHIRE. DE45 1BT.

Book signing & pet caricaturing.

MONDAY 27th 10am - 2pm.

NOVEMBER 2025

COED Y DINAS (CHARLIE'S STORE) Pet Department Welshpool, Powys, Mid Wales. Book signing and pet caricaturing.

Saturday, 8th . 10am - 5pm.

WCF Pet & Equestrian, Ulverston, Cumbria. LA12 7AB.

Book signing & Pet caricaturing.

SATURDAY 15th. 10am - 5pm

SHREWSBURY LIBRARY Castle Gates Shrewsbury Shropshire SY1 2AS

Book Signing & Pet Caricaturing

Saturday 22nd 10am - 4pm

DECEMBER 2025

BRADELEY GREEN PET STORE, DOG FRIENDLY CAFE & FARM SHOP.

Tarporley Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 4HD.Phone 01948 668100.

SATURDAY 6th, 10am- 4pm. Book Signing & Live Pet Caricaturing.

HAFANYRAFON, DOG FRIENDLY CAFE, Back Lane, Newtown, Powys.

Book signing & pet caricaturing.

SATURDAY 13th. 10am - 4pm

More dates to be announced for 2026

My funny illustrated poetry books are usually available for purchase and signing at live events and are also available from Amazon which you can link to via my website.

Available Book Titles include;

     'Mark Bardsley's Crazy Animal Poems' £12.99, 

     'Dogs' £14.99

     'When I Was Young and Foolish' £14.99

     ' Mark Bardsley's Dogs Colouring Book £7.50

     'Mark Bardsley's Country Show Colouring Book £7.50

     'Bloom Town' (Shropshire poems, illustrated)

PREVIOUS LIVE DATES at a GLANCE 2024

Shrewsbury library Saturday 12th October

Shrewsbury Pets & Friends Saturday 26th October

Oswestry Library Tuesday 29th & 30th October

Caffi Wyllfa, Chirk Friday 1st November

Coed y Dinas (Charlies) Welshpool, 2nd November

Shrewsbury Pets & Friends Saturday 23rd November

Hafan Yr Afon, Newtown Friday 29th November

Caffi Wylfa Chirk Saturday 30th November

OTHER UK VENUES

WCF Pet & Equestrian Ulverston, Cumbria October 19th

(keep scrolling for more detailed listings)

PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING  

SHREWSBURY LIBRARY 

Saturday 12th OCTOBER 2024 10am - 4pm  

FREE EVENT

An opportunity to purchase a signed caricature of your pet from your phone photos. Drawings take approximately 10 minutes. My funny animal poetry books will be available.

Caricature prices start at £15 Book prices from £6.50

Venue Location; Castle Gates, Shrewsbury SY1 2AS     Phone; 01743 255308

PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING  

WCF Pet & EQUESTRIAN, CUMBRIA

Saturday 19th OCTOBER 2024  9.30am - 5.30pm  

FREE EVENT

An opportunity to purchase a signed caricature of your pet from your phone photos. Drawings take approximately 10 minutes. My funny animal poetry books will be available, including 'DOGS'

Caricature prices start at £15 Book prices from £6.50

Venue Location; WCF Pet & Equestrian, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 7LB     Phone; 01229 582401

Situated opposite Booths supermarket with convenient parking.

PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING 

SHREWSBURY PETS & FRIENDS 

SATURDAY 26th OCTOBER 2024  9.30am till 5.30pm     

FREE EVENT

An opportunity to purchase a signed caricature of your pet from your phone photos. Drawings take approximately 10 minutes. My funny animal poetry books will be available.

Caricature prices start at £15 Book prices from £6.50

Venue location; Pets & Friends, Lancaster Retail Park SY1 3AZ Phone; 01743 440884

PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING 

OSWESTRY LIBRARY

Tuesday 29th - 30th October  11am - 5.00pm  

Two Day FREE EVENT

An opportunity to purchase a signed caricature of your pet from your phone photos. Drawings take approximately 10 minutes. My funny animal poetry books will be available.

Caricature prices start at £15 Book prices from £6.50

Venue Location; Oswestry Library, Arthur Street, SY11 1JN  Phone; 01743 250351

PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING 

CAFE WYLFA, CHIRK  

Friday November 1st 2024  9.30am - 5.00pm  

FREE EVENT

An opportunity to purchase a signed caricature of your pet from your phone photos. Drawings take approximately 10 minutes. My funny animal poetry books will be available.

Caricature prices start at £15 Book prices from £6.50

Venue Location; Caffi Wylfa, Castle Road, Chirk Wrexham LL14 5BS   Phone; 01691 770492

A beautiful location a short distance from the Llangollen canal, Chirk tunnel and aqueduct.

Great dog walking opportunities! Caffi Wylfa has a covered outside area with tables for dog owners.

https://caffiwylfa.com/

PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING  

COED y DINAS Country Store Welshpool 

SATURDAY 2nd NOVEMBER 2024  10am till 5pm  

FREE EVENT

An opportunity to purchase a signed caricature of your pet from your phone photos. Drawings take approximately 10 minutes. My funny animal poetry books will be available.

Caricature prices start at £15 Book prices from £6.50

Venue location; Coed y Dinas, Welshpool SY21 8RP Phone; 01938 555 545

https://www.coedydinas.co.uk/

PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING 

SHREWSBURY PETS & FRIENDS 

SATURDAY 23rd NOVEMBER 2024  9.30am till 5.30pm   

 FREE EVENT

An opportunity to purchase a signed caricature of your pet from your phone photos. Drawings take approximately 10 minutes. My funny animal poetry books will be available.

Caricature prices start at £15 Book prices from £6.50

Venue location; Pets & Friends, Lancaster Retail Park SY1 3AZ Phone; 01743 440884

PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING 

HAFAN YR AFON, NEWTOWN 

Pop up Powys Trade fare

Friday November 29th 2024  10am - 4.00pm  

FREE EVENT

An opportunity to purchase a signed caricature of your pet from your phone photos. Drawings take approximately 10 minutes. Caricature prices start at £15.

My funny animal poetry books will be available for signing.

Venue Location; Hafan Yr Afon, Newtown, Powys SY16 6NH   Phone; 01686 880777

Located on the river side behind the main town car park and park. A modern events centre and café with ample public parking. Shopping centre nearby. 

PET CARICATURING & BOOK SIGNING 

CAFE WYLFA, CHIRK  

Saturday November 30th 2024  9.30am - 5.00pm  

FREE EVENT

An opportunity to purchase a signed caricature of your pet from your phone photos. Drawings take approximately 10 minutes. My funny animal poetry books will be available.

Caricature prices start at £15 Book prices from £6.50

Venue Location; Caffi Wylfa, Castle Road, Chirk Wrexham LL14 5BS   Phone; 01691 770492

A beautiful location a short distance from the Llangollen canal, Chirk tunnel and aqueduct.

Great dog walking opportunities! Caffi Wylfa has a covered outside area with tables for dog owners.

https://caffiwylfa.com/

'When I was Young and Foolish' official book launch

 When I was Young and Foolish was published in 2021, but because of Covid, I never really got around to a live launch event. Well here it is! And to celebrate, I will be drawing a free quick sketch in my illustration style for everyone who buys a book. So come to Shrewsbury Library and join in the fun. All three volumes are fully illustrated in colour. Check out my website for more info or for enquiries email; bardsleytart@gmail.com

My new Shropshire book, Bloom Town will also be available

.

Bloom Town book launch at Shrewsbury library, June 1st 2024

 

Bloom Town

 'Bloom Town', published by Yew Tree Press, is my first collection of serious poetry. I explore a wide variety of aspects of my home county, Shropshire, lifting the lid on some of it's many intriguing secrets.

The overall approach is predominantly pastoral in feel and yet there is an urban flavour to this first volume, hence the title, which is taken from my piece set in Shrewsbury, Shropshire's medieval county town. The poem Bloom Town describes Shrewsbury's park and the sunken garden known as the Dingle (a repurposed quarry pit, often referred to as the Quarry). Some of my earliest childhood memories were formed in this evocative Victorian landscape and I am drawn back there constantly.

Locations covered also include the Iron Bridge Gorge, Lyth Hill, the Long Mynd, Wellington, Dawley, Badger, Wenlock Edge, Acton Scott, Bridgnorth, Uffington, Newport, Allscott, Ludlow, Alberbury, the Wrekin and Wem.

Shropshire like any other county in the UK is a rich vein for the poet, having been historically overwritten many times in terms of landscape, architecture and culture. The area is bisected by the Britain's longest river, the Severn, embracing moorland and peak reaching as high as seventeen hundred feet, and more often than not, crowned with the familiar ring ditch configuration of the enigmatic Celtic hill fort. The plains are equally dramatic, irrigated by rich water ways, meres and mosses -  home to a spectacular population of wildlife.

Bloom Town takes a tour of the landscape, stopping to muse on Shropshire's industrial and literary heritage. There are some famous names; 1930s long distance flyer, Amy Johnson who flew gliders on the Long Mynd, Mary Webb well known for her Hardyesque novels and exquisite poetry, Percy Thrower, the most memorable face of the BBC's Gardener's World program - he was the second presenter from 1969 to 1976, and of course the poet Philip Larkin who spent his first three formative working years at the Walker Street Library in Wellington, a place where I also spent many page thumbing hours as a teenager.

Bloom Town is illustrated with my own pencil sketches, some drawn on location others relying on an ever increasing photographic archive. I've tried to hint at things rather than depict too broadly, zooming in on detail in the same way that I hope the verses do.

This volume has 32 pages, is staple bound in silk finished stiff card and contains 21 poems with 21 accompanying monochrome graphite drawings. The water colour cover design uses a Rampion or Rapunzel flower (campanula rapunculus) as a motif and reflects Shropshire's county colours, Yellow-gold and dark blue.

Bloom Town can be ordered directly from Yew Tree Press (just hit the link on my website) or if you have a UK address, you can request a signed copy via bardsleyart@gmail.com, price £6.50 + £1.20 UK p&p. You can also pay via Paypal to the above email.

The Squatters Cottage, currently re-erected on a new site at the Iron Bridge Gorge museum.

 Squatters

We love to put ourselves there,

stooping over humility’s threshold,

drawn to the fire inside.

It does us good – life on a human scale;

two rooms, an eight out of nine survival rate -

notable for the time.

A family content to survive

beneath stones and boughs,

safe in each others arms,

counting themselves wealthy,

imagining themselves free.

When I Was Young and Foolish

 I came up with the title for my book about childhood (chiefly my own) as a tribute, partly to A.A. Milne and Ernest Shepard, the creators of Winnie the Pooh and who also gave us the delightful children's poetry collections, 'When We Were Very Young' and 'Now We are Six', and partly in memory of my Grandfather who was forever warbling snatches of the 1954 melody, 'Young and Foolish' made popular in the 1950s by the likes of Tony Bennet and Dean Martin.

Many of the poems are based on real events. At least 30 of them are very much the tale of my own childhood and others are ideas that were drifting around or came from other peoples experiences. I suppose I could very easily write another volume purely based on school experiences and one day perhaps I will.

The illustrations were tremendous fun to do and researching for some of the detailed elements such as the Corgi Chipperfield Circus lorry, the Apollo Lunar Module, Spitfire and Action Man, brought fond memories flooding back. The photo albums had to come out as well of course.

Incidentally the Chipperfield circus lorry was a cherished toy that I used to great effect in play ground long distance competitions. Toy company Corgi produced an extensive set of circus vehicles in the 1960s, complete with trailers, accessories, clown, monkey, giraffes, lions, etc. 

The closing verse of 'Chipperfield' laments the fact that my favourite truck had long gone the way of most old toys. I am, however delighted to report that recently its replacement came to light in a Shrewsbury antique shop. It even has virtually the same damage that mine had sustained after many high octane junior school contests.

'When I Was Young and Foolish' is a larger format paperback like it's predecessors 'Animal Poems and 'Dogs' and, like them, is also aimed at families in general. My hope is that parents and children can read together, the way my parents did with me when I was very young.

Copies can be ordered from Amazon, just click the book links on my website or if you are ever in my home town of Shrewsbury in the UK, the Raven Bookshop has signed copies.

If you are in the UK and would like to order signed copies you can do so by request at the email address on my website. The UK price is £14.99 + £2.40 p&p and you will get my free book mark too!

'DOGS', new illustrated poetry book

I am delighted to announce the launch of my new humorous book, DOGS which is a look at our best friends via poetry and illustration!
It's a unique view of dog-life and I hope all you lovely pooch-smoochers, Pug-cuddlers and retriever-believers will enjoy it (don't let them lick you too much will you though, it makes me feel a bit queezy!) I know the Wolfman does it but he's got a cast iron immune system, you might not have?

The book is now available from Amazon, price £14.99 (109 pages in glorious full colour and featuring over 50 different dog breeds each with their own comical portrait and poem).

Hint; use the Amazon Look inside feature to preview some of the book's content.

Live appearance; Motorcycle Museum opposite NEC, Sat 4th May 2019

PAPERCRAFT & STAMPING SHOW at the Birmingham Motorcycle Museum

SATURDAY MAY 4th 2019

Book signing and live pet caricaturing with Card hut publishing.
10am till 3.00pm. Standard adult ticket £4

The Motorcycle Museum is situated off the main roundabout opposite the main NEC complex.

Bring mobile phone pictures of your pets for an on-the-spot portrait (just £10 for an original, signed sketch). Signed copies of my illustrated book, 'Pet Poems' will be available or you can just have a chat about my work as an illustrator with Card Hut and my live appearances on the Craft Channel and BBC2's Autumnwatch.

See you there!

Live drawing & book signing at Stafford Wynnstay store this Saturday 6th October

Another chance to have an on-the-spot cartoon of your horse/pet and to obtain a signed copy of my recently released  book of humorous animal poems.
There will be a free prize draw where you can win 2 of my signed prints.

Approx 10am until 5pm.

Wynnstay store, Unit 10, Brindley close, Stafford. ST16 3SU.
Phone 01785 250595
stafford@wynnstay.co.uk

AUGUST BOOK SIGNING & CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP TOUR

Mark Bardsley’s Crazy Animal Tour
AUGUST LIBRARY WORKSHOP
& BOOK SIGNING SCHEDULE

Thursday 2nd         Wem, 11am-12.30pm
Monday 6th            Much Wenlock, 10.30am-12.00pm
Wednesday 8th      Shifnal, 10.30am-12pm
Thurday 9th            Shrewsbury, 10.30am-12pm
Friday 10th             Cleobury Mortimer 11am-12pm
Sunday 12th           Gregynog Hall, Powys, 1pm-4pm Book signing & Pet Caricaturing
Monday 13th          Market Drayton,10.30am-12pm
Tueday 14th           Church Stretton,11am-12.30pm
Wednesday 22nd   Bayston hill, 10.30am-12pm
Friday 24th             Bridgenorth, 10.30am-12pm
Saturday 25th         Berriew Show All day (book signing & pet caricaturing)

Monday 27th          Welshpool, Coed y Dinas, 10am-4pm (book signing & pet caricaturing)

Wednesday 29th    Ludlow, 10am-12pm
Thursday 30th        Shrewsbury 10am-12pm
                               Oswestry, 2pm-4pm
Friday 31st             Harlescott, 10.30am-12pm
Friday 31st             Shifnal  2.30pm- 4pm

Ludlow bells are calling!

Well, yesterday was a fine day for a poet; a trip to the beautiful Shropshire jewel, Ludlow and a recital by previous poet laureate and national treasure, Andrew Motion!

Andrew is currently reading his latest work 'Essex Clay' which I found of considerable interest as I was born in Essex and attended Braintree college when I was eighteen. I have only spent three years of my life there in total but I know parts of rural Essex and it's coast.

Essex Clay is a biographical long poem about about life, love and loss, an intimate narrative and such a privileged to hear it from the author himself.

I also got to take a selfie with Alfred Housman (well, kind of.)

Mark Bardsley's Crazy ANIMAL POEMS out now!

Yes folks, after grafting away in my burrow all winter I am now able to release my book of crazy animal poems. It is a full colour larger format (6"x"9) paperback containing 55 humorous poems about animals and their antics. It has a small back section with a few poetry hints and tips and 6 blank but illustrated pages for aspiring poets to use (hopefully the page footer illustrations might provide some inspiration). The price is £12.99 and it is only available from Amazon or me if you can catch me at a live drawing or book signing event.
If you would like to host a book signing event, do contact me at bardsleyart@gmail.com

My next Book signing event will be on Saturday, May 26th and Monday May 28th (bank hol)
at Coed y Dinas Country Store, Welshpool, SY21 8RP. 10.am till 5pm.

Hope you enjoy it and I am always grateful for a written review if you purchase it from Amazon. The next book is already in the planning stage!

Mrs Flossy Cotton Bottom

I'm rapidly approaching launch time for my new paperback 'Mark Bardsley's Crazy Animal Poems'
so here is a taster. This one is a bit Beatrix but a bit Bardsley as well (the bit that's Bardsley is usually the nutty bit, but you probably already know that!)

The new book will be a soft-back in full colour containing 55 illustrated poems and some secret  writing pages for budding poets at the back.

MRS FLOSSY COTTON BOTTOM

Mrs Flossy Cotton Bottom

Asked me round for tea

But dandelions and thistle down

Are not the food for me.

‘Oh do partake of toadstool pie

And have some teasel tart.’

Dear Mrs Flossy Cotton Bottom

I must now depart.

‘But blue bell batch and cicely greens

You surely can’t refuse?’

Oh Mrs Flossy Cotton

I would rather eat my shoes!

My colon cannot cope with food

That rabbits can digest.

So Mrs Flossy Cotton Bottom,

                     Fare thee well, ‘tis best.

Illustration banner

Animal cartooning poster

To book me for talks, art workshops or sketching sessions email bardsleyart@gmail.com or phone;
01938 500506

Drawing Peter rabbit in the Lake District

I Had a great day last week drawing with Beatrix Potter fans at the Eskdale miniature railway. Thanks to all you budding artists who joined in the fun!
To book me for workshops and events, see my website where you will find my email address.

Beatrix Potter; imitating her wonderful painting style!

I'm looking forward to appearing live in the Lake District this week and will be drawing Peter Rabbit with kids at Dalegarth Station on Thurday.  I've had some fun attempting to reproduce the beautiful ink line and water colour style that Beatrix used, starting with a rough sketch just like she would have done. My own way of working is very similar although my style is a bit more nutty! Beatrix was a keen student of nature and her animals are very realistic. Her painting style was very delicate and takes some care to reproduce.

Shakespeare 400

Shakespeare! Couldn't resist doing a little portrait of the old Bard this morning.
‪

Ronnie Corbett!

I woke up feeling rather melancholy this morning and a Ronnie caricature was all I could think about doing so I thought I'd better just get on with it!
Here's the result, hope it cheers you all up a bit. Love you Ron! xx

Bardsley's Musical notes (high hat).

Feel the noise!