Thursday 25th September 2014
Llandovery’s fast approaching fifth annual Sheep Festival – supported by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Rural Alliances project – is now only days away and is already promising an action packed weekend.
Now in its 5th year, this year’s festival is paying tribute to The Great World War and everything will be themed around this remarkable period in history and will run from Friday 26th September through to Sunday 27th September. Patronage from HRH Prince of Wales and good old fashion community enthusiasm has ensured that the Llandovery Sheep Festival has grown bigger and better every year, brightening up the last weekend of September with a gathering of ever-increasing variety, fun and participation.
Among the new activities this year include the Sheep Race in the centre of town on Saturday evening, Sheeptacular (as seen at Royal Welsh Show), cookery master classes highlighting use of Welsh produce, the Giant Cardigan and its accompanying knitting classes, the 70 year celebration of the Young Farmers Club, a sheep rodeo, a mini literary event for poets, our youth theatre’s mini adaptation of A Winter’s Tale plus clog dancing, Llandovery male voice choir, children’s art competition, music from Fiddle Box, mystery from Dr Nicholas Grimoire, the Alchemy Dragons, sheep dog trials, and a flock of trade stands.
This wonderful community festival is supported by its patron HRH Prince of Wales and according to locals he has sent his good wishes to the festival and is encouraging everyone to keep celebrating the wonders of wool. It’s no coincidence that the festival is held in September to coincide with the lead up to UK Wool Week (this year it’s being held from Monday 6 October 2014 – Sunday 12 October 2014) which was founded by The Prince of Wales.
Fiona Walker, overall coordinator of the festival said: “Who would have thought five years ago that our little town could accommodate such a lively, buzzing, joyful weekend of people gathering from far and near. But that’s exactly what it does each year. We are delighted to welcome new sponsors including Castell Howell this year, adding to the growing number of local proud supporters which help make sure that the festival vibrant and accessible to all who want to be here. We need to thank our host of committed volunteers who join in, to all the traders and all our visitors who help make this such a wonderful event. We hope everyone enjoys themselves and helps make this weekend a wonderful start to autumn.”
The festival has is supported by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Rural Alliances project, which is funded by the EU’s Interreg IVB NWE programme and Welsh Government.
Catrin Parish Marks, Sustainable Tourism Officer said: “The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority is delighted to have been able to support the Llandovery Sheep Festival since the beginning in 2010. What started as a quirky idea has developed into fantastic family celebrating the town’s agricultural heritage. It is an event equally enjoyed by the local community and visitors to Llandovery. This year promises to be even better than before with lots of new activities and stall holder.
“An enormous amount of planning and time goes into the annual event which demonstrates the strong community cohesion and vibrancy that Llandovery enjoys. The National Park is able to support the project through the Rural Alliances project, funding by the EU’s Interreg IVB NWE programme together with the Welsh Government’s Targeted Match Funding programme, and the core aim is to look at what makes rural communities strong. Llandovery is a glowing example of how a rural community works together to ensure that their town remains a friendly place for people of all ages to live.”
As well as providing a lot of fun things for children and adults alike to see and do, the numerous events demonstrate the activities that are central to the cultural heritage of Llandovery and we hope the increased visitors will enjoy and appreciate the delights of this rural town.
For more information about the Llandovery Sheep Festival please contact Fiona Walker, coordinator on 07974 434 991.
The full programme is available at www.llandoverysheepfestival.co.uk
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