A STONKING weekend of classical music is on offer in this month's programme by Wye Valley Music.

A highlight will be first performances of three pieces by the Forest of Dean poet F W Harvey, set to music by Celia Harper.

They will be performed by Chiswick Baroque at Newland Church on Saturday June 18 at 7.30pm. The group, conducted by the composer, is a five-voice a-capella group performing music from the 11th to the 21st centuries.

The acclaimed and award winning Carducci String Quartet will then be at The Drill Hall, Chepstow on Sunday June 19 also at 7.30pm. Their programme will feature two well-known classics – Haydn's 'Sunrise' quartet and Beethoven Op 59 – plus Philip Glass's innovative and beautiful Mishima quartet written in 1985.

The remaining concert in the series will feature violinist Katherine Gowers and pianist Simon Crawford-Phillips at St Briavels Church on Sunday June 26th.

Reservations can be made at http://www.wvm.org.uk">www.wvm.org.uk or via the message line on 01291 330020.