VICTORIAN - FESTIVAL - VICTORIAN CRIER - "The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again" - Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival
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VICTORIAN CRIER
WINTER
2020/2021
LLANDRINDOD WELLS VICTORIAN FESTIVAL NEWSLETTER
“The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again”
VICTORIAN
FESTIVAL
2020 is and has been a turbulent year and many festivals have been cancelled, if not all, it can be summed up in the words of Charles Dickens from his ‘Tale of Two Cities.” “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.” 2020 is not the year we should pretend never happened. It is the year that changed everything including the 39th consecutive Victorian Festival. Planning for our 40th anniversary festival in 2021 is well under way and with the help of local businesses and residents it should be a success. In this newsletter we have articles especially written for us by Gerald Dickens, Alison Neil, Joyce Walker and Captain Sam Swallow, plus some of our events for 2021. In 2016 Gerald Dickens performed ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Albert Hall Theatre; this year with travel restrictions he could not do his normal tour of North America; however he did not stay idle and with an excellent team made a video of ‘A Christmas Carol’ read his article and use the link to view it. We are incredibility proud of our high street retailers and hospitality businesses that have shown such resilience during the on-going pandemic. Together we are stronger and call upon your support to help keep our local high street businesses alive during this uncertain time. And to all our local hero’s – thank you! Many thanks also to Rob Reynolds for the splendid photographs in this newsletter.
Dear Reader,
During the first three months of 2020 planning was going ahead for our 39th Festival from the 24th to
31st August ending with a community celebration day on bank holiday Monday; unfortunately
Coronavirus made its deadly appearance and the world came to a virtual stand still and along with many
festivals and events our festival was cancelled
In March of 2020 the article below about the Victorian festival, written by Peter Kitchen, editor of the
Mid Wales Journal, only weeks before disaster struck is most apt.
‘ So many communities are built on tradition – and the key events that help cement it.
Mention Hay-on-Wye anywhere in the world and people will comment on its literature festival.
It is a similar story for Shrewsbury with its flower show, or on a slightly wackier note Llanwrtyd Wells with
its bog snorkelling championships.
In Llandrindod Wells, attempts have been made to make the Victorian era the town’s standout selling
point.
People travel from all over for its Victorian Festival each summer.
But the event doesn’t hold the same gravitas as the major events mentioned above, and it is fair to say that
the event has had a difficult few years maintaining widespread interest beyond its die-hard enthusiasts.
So organisers should be commended for going back to their roots with plans for a new community
celebration day at the end of this years’ event.
It will be held on the August bank holiday Monday, which should help make it a real highlight on one of the
busiest days of the summer.
Hopefully it will drive more footfall into the town not only to support the stalls and activities, but also local
businesses.
It is a win-win situation – so long as the people get behind it.
Already the festival’s annual firework display attracts big crowds, and the torchlight procession on the
Sunday is also popular.
Such festivals can only be a success if they have the local community onside.
Already organisers are working in partnership with Llandrindod Town Council, which funds the firework
display. Now it is time for local people to show their support.
No matter whether history is “your thing” or whether you have an interest in the Victorian period, the truth
is that the town’s entertainment calendar would be poorer without the Victorian festival.
We hope that the new community celebration day does what it say on the tin and helps to bring the
community together what should be a festival to savour.
And a bit of sunshine for Victorian week certainly wouldn’t go amiss.’
The above article by Peter Kitchen remains factual for our 40th anniversary in 2021, even more so after
the effects of 2020.
During 2020 with the absence of income and grants we have had to rely on the organisers and friends of
the festival for donations to cover on-going costs to cover our website, storage costs and licenses, my
thanks go out to them all.
Continued on next page
In October it was a gloomy day for me; my
friend and stalwart of the festival Alan
Parton passed away on 16th October, Alan
was a past Chairman of the Victorian
Festival Committee, a real gentleman,
resplendent in his uniform, with a calm
diplomacy. Alan and Barbara moved to
Congleton to be near their family, which
will be a great comfort to Barbara at this
very sad time.
After the 2015 festival when everyone
thought it was all over, Alan and myself
joined forces to keep it going, it was
difficult, grants were a very small percentage of previous years and the lack of interest from the town
proved difficult to overcome.
We also are thinking of Maureen Morgan, who has been poorly,
and about to have surgery, and wish her a full and welcome
recovery. Maureen is part of the Dynamic Duo, Maureen and Diane,
who loyally every year, fill to the brim their little car with costumes
and entries for the Mardi Gras. We remember particularly
Maureen dressed as a bright purple octopus, huge tentacles draped
over her and her little electric trolley, how they fitted everything
in, goodness knows. Of especial memory was their Village Fayre,
with numerous stalls and exciting games, loved by so many who
attended. Such a loyal pair and we look forward to welcoming
them and all our other visitors to next year’s Festival.
We also send our wishes to
Frank Clews, husband to Rita,
our Queen Victoria who had a
mild stroke, but he his now
back home to rest – if that is
possible with our ebullient Rita. Such a wonderful couple forever
in our thoughts.
We all hope that everyone keeps well and safe, and that our future
will be brighter and happier."
Hopefully all will bode well for the future and next years 40th
anniversary will not be our last.
In 2021 the festival will be eight days culminating in the
Community Celebration Day on the Bank Holiday Monday.
All of the team are planning for next year, but we do need grants
and donations and entertainment to have a truly delightful
Festival, if you can help please contact us.
Christopher J Hartley FIH - Editor
GERALD DICKENS, GREAT-GREAT GRANDSON OF CHARLES DICKENS, ESPECIALLY WROTE THIS
ARTICLE FOR THE NEWSLETTER. GERALD WILL BE BACK AT THE ALBERT HALL IN LLANDRINDOD
WELLS DURING THE VICTORIAN FESTIVAL ON 24TH AUGUST 2021.
**********
As a performer my year has a rhythm, a routine that spans the months. In a typical year, following the
hectic Christmas season which sees me criss-crossing America and then the United Kingdom, the early
months are usually quiet, with maybe just a few performances around Charles Dickens’ birthday in
February and trips into schools on World Book Day.
Come May the spring festivals start, culminating in the Rochester Dickens Festival in Kent, which
traditionally welcomes hordes of costumed characters to the vulnerable old city at the start of June.
This year there were plans for a special series of events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of
Dickens’ death.
The summer used to be quiet until a few years ago I was fortunate enough to attend the Llandrindod
Wells Victorian Festival for the first time. The wonderful event soon became a feature of my year and
the folk who attend, both
participants (indeed the
line between the two is
somewhat blurry for
everyone present
participates!) became
people I regard as
friends. Every part of my
annual trip has become a
tradition: the drive from
England through the
beautiful mountains with
the sheep grazing on the
verge, the friendly
welcome at the Portland
House B&B followed by
the mountainous trek to
my room on the top floor.
Performing in the Albert Hall Theatre, which is a perfect setting for my shows, is of course the highlight
of the trip and I have felt confident enough to try new shows out at the festival such as A Tale of Two
Cities a couple of years ago when it was not until I arrived that I came face to face with my set – the
huge guillotine which had been lovingly designed and created for me.
But this year thanks to a street vendor in Wuhan province all of that was gone. For an itinerant actor it
appeared that 2020 would be devoid of any work.
But out of adversity comes hope and the fact that my diary was empty led to my taking on a project
that I have thought about for many years, but had never quite been brave enough to bring to fruition.
In 2016 I performed A Christmas Carol in Llandrindod and over the next couple of days was asked, as I
often am, ‘have you ever recorded the show on film?’ To which the simple answer was ‘no’. I have no
background in film making and really had no idea as to how to convert a stage show with its inherent
large theatricality to an intimate close-up medium. I would want to capture the spirit of the original
show but as that relies on a degree of audience participation there was another stumbling block. Also I
didn’t have the budget to film.
Continued on next page
But then I began to think ‘why not use this opportunity to create something really impressive, really
special?’ I began to consider locations outside the confines of a theatre and also adapted my stage script
so that each scene had its own feel and identity: I considered different camera angles, costumes and
effects. I created a series of mood boards reflecting the dark, mysterious atmosphere that I wanted to
create and sent them and each update of the script to Emily who although embracing the ideas that I had,
rather politely pointed out to me that we had moved away from the original concept that she had quoted
for and that I was moving into the realms of the feature film which may not fall within her original
estimate of time or budget!
In truth, she had a point. To create what I was envisaging we would need a crew of around 700, a few
months to film and a budget with multiple 0s on the end. I reined myself in and started yet again.
The location I chose was Rochester in
Kent which had featured in many of
Dickens’ other novels and there I
found four venues which not only
reflected the scenes I wanted to film
but also were happy to accommodate
us without charging location fees. I
cannot express my thanks to Medway
Council enough, as well as the various
individuals at Rochester Cathedral.
Eastgate House, The Sis Poor
Travellers House and St James’
Church, Cooling.
We shot over four days. Emily and
her fiancée Jordan, who wielded the
unwieldy sound boom, absolutely bought into my vision and together the three of us began to create
something very special indeed. We filmed in a remote churchyard with beautiful morning skies
stretching to infinity, we filmed in crooked Elizabethan houses, we filmed in the echoing crypt of the
cathedral, and in a tiny sparse alms-house. Throughout the whole process Emily and Jordan wore face
masks at all times, as did I when not actually performing.
And when we had finished Emily took the whole lot and began to edit. On her business card Emily
describes herself as ‘Editor’ so, although she is a brilliant and talented videographer, it is in the editing
suite that she really works her magic; indeed she has even edited an Oscar winning film, so she has some
serious pedigree!
A clue as to the quality of the end product came quite early in the process when Emily sent me a trailer
that we could use for marketing purposes, and oh my goodness had she done a good job!
And now the film is fully available and through the wonders of modern technology anyone in the World
can watch it whilst remaining safely locked down in their own homes.
I can after all perform in Llandrindod Wells in 2020 and wish all of you ‘Merry Christmas! God bless us,
every one!’
On Thursday 26 November you can see for yourself for that is when the finished product goes live. To
view the film go to the dedicated page on my website, Films (geralddickens.com) and click the button!
Once you have paid for the rental and clicked to watch you will have access to the film for seven days,
during which time you can view it as often as you like. From the launch date there is month until
Christmas – so why not rent the piece as a gift for family, friends or for colleagues in lieu of a cancelled
office party?Even my ‘Poo’ is collected and deposited in a
special receptacle, so that too must be
valuable to the humans, though I cannot
think why! I like to give them little
challenges, doing my business in amongst
brambles, nettles or on slippery slopes. Most
amusing, sometimes I pretend to squat and
watch them searching among the autumn
leaves!!
Other dogs I meet tell me that they are the
centres of their human’s world, but I am the
centre of the universe. The small dogs
CAPTAINS SAM’S COLUMN
always greet me with licks and waggy tails.
About me? My name is ‘Captain Sam Swallow’ but everyone Even shy puppies, showing deference, seek
just calls me Sam, or more often ‘Gorgeous.’ I am classed as my wisdom. Some large dogs bark at me but
a cross breed, but prefer ‘designer dog.’ My father was a it is beneath my dignity to respond and
Samoyed and my mother a Golden Retriever; I am ten anyway if I sit when I see one, my servant
years old and adopted my servants, Christopher and always gives me a treat. I have trained them
Denise nine years ago. My servants live with me in well, other humans remark on how well
Llandrindod Wells and I can often be seen with them behaved I am, little do they know.
around the lake.
So there you are, it is undisputable, the
“THE UNIVERSAL TRUTH ACCORDING TO SAM.” universe revolves around me.
I have been asked to write an article for the “Crier,” my To all my human friends have a Merry
maid suggested a deep philosophical treatise and so I have Christmas and Peaceful New Year; to my
put paw to computer; I hope you will find the following canine friends I have left greetings in “P”
thought provoking and agree with my conclusion. Mails around the lake.
There is only one undisputed truth - the entire universe SAM’S BEDTIME PRAYER
revolves around me.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
My humans are here to serve me; they feed me, see that I
the king-size bed is soft and deep.
have water, accompany me on my walks and groom me.
I sleep right in the centre groove
They provide me with a bed and plenty of other places to
my human beings can hardly move!
lie, to be comfortable and warm. If I demand to go out in I’ve trapped their legs, they’re tucked in
the night, one of them will get out of their bed and take me tight
out. I must admit, that after telling them I am desperate to And here is where I pass the night
go to the toilet I will take my time finding the perfect place
to ‘Pee’ whilst they stand waiting shivering in the rain No one disturbs me or dares intrude
When I am on my walks strangers come to pat and cuddle Till morning comes and I want food!
me, paying me due reverence. They call me fluffy, lovely, I sneak up slowly to begin
beautiful, adorable or gorgeous. (My servants call me “Your my nibbles on my human’s chin.
Fluffiness”, though I think I detect a hint of facetiousness.) I They wake up slowly amid smiles and
also have a following of regular friends who always give shouts,
me extra special scratches and cuddles, they always call me “You darling beast! Just cut it out!”
over and make a great fuss and sometimes have more
treats for me. Only the other day some humans stopped But morning’s here and its time to play,
their car to admire me, asking details of my breeding and I always seem to get my way.
complimenting my servant on how well I look. Humans So thank you Lord for giving me
often ask how much grooming I require to look so these human persons that I see.
stunning, the stock reply form the maid is that I am “high The one’s who hug and hold me tight
maintenance,” whatever that means. and share their bed with me at night!THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY ALISON NEIL ESPECIALLY FOR THE “VICTORIAN CRIER.’ ALISON WILL
BE BACK PERFORMING ‘LARKS & MAGIC’ DURING VICTORIAN WEEK ON 26TH AUGUST 2021
************
I came to the Victorian Festival way back in 1989, with my very first one-woman play "BELLA, THE
STORY OF MRS BEETON". It was performed at the lovely Albert Hall.
I had only recently started touring the show, and Llandrindod
Wells was one of the first festivals to book me. It was a rather
marvellous experience to turn up in the town, and find people in
full Victorian dress strolling about. I hadn't expected this - but
on the other hand, I had not been to a lot of arts festivals, and I
thought that perhaps it was not that unusual.
Since then, I have performed my various shows at many, many
festivals all round the country, and I have never come across
another town where people take part with such gusto.
Llandrindod Wells is really special.
I did happen to do a show close to Hastings in 2010, and went
into the Old Town. I quickly realised that something strange
was going on. Every one was dressed as a pirate. Even babies
and dogs were dressed as pirates. They smashed the world
record that day - 6,166 people-dressed-as-pirates in one place.
Quite a sight, and completely bonkers!
There was quite a gap before my next show in Llandrindod
Wells - 28 years! My plays following "BELLA" celebrated the lives of women from other historical periods;
Tudor, Georgian, 12th century and 20th century. But in 2017, Chris Hartley invited me to bring my new
play "MRS BEETON, MY SISTER" to the Festival. This one-hour show is based on the same story as my
first play, all those years ago. It was performed at the Metropole Hotel as an afternoon event.
The Metropole proved a great place to do a show, with helpful members of staff specially erecting a stage,
and helping me get all the gear in and out of their lovely hotel without causing too much annoyance, I
hope, to guests and visitors.
I was delighted to be asked back the following year with "TRULY YOURS, C.B.", my full-length play about
the life of Charlotte Brontë. The beginning of the show had to be held until Queen Victoria and her
retinue had arrived and been seated. Another first for my technician and me!
In 2019, I brought "THE FOSSIL LADY OF LYME", about the great fossil hunter Mary Anning to the
Festival. She died in 1847, so luckily she counts as a Victorian.
This year, of course, everything got cancelled. So I have every finger crossed that the Victorian Festival
2021 will go ahead, better than ever, and I can have the huge pleasure of performing "LARKS AND
MAGIC" on August 26th. This is the story of E. Nesbit, the author of "The Railway Children" "Five
Children and It" and many other children's classics. Hard-working but always up for a lark, E. Nesbit's
unconventional bohemian life still seems jaw dropping today.
I very much look forward to returning to Llandrindod Wells; the only festival I know where many of the
audience are as suitably dressed for the occasion as the performers!
To view a video clip from “larks & Magic’ please use the following link
https://youtu.be/S8lf92mUxLwWHAT THE LLANDRINDOD WELLS VICTORIAN FESTIVAL MEANS TO ME AND WHY.
BY JOYCE WALKER
All my life I have been interested in, and admiring of the Victorian era. The myriad of beautiful buildings
they created, both large and small. The tremendous projects they successfully undertook that are still
benefitting us to this day – the railways, the dams, the sewerage systems, the bridges and canals etc. etc.
etc.
Most important the legacy they left us with their fantastic museums and galleries, spread all over the
country still educating us and definitely inspiring us.
I feel that I would have loved to live then, but only as a wealthy – or a reasonably well off person as I
definitely do appreciate that the downside of the period was the abject poverty and terrible living
conditions of the millions of poor people. All of this was so vividly documented for us by Charles Dickens,
(I do love that man, and all of his stories as well as his most amazing life story). I have been lucky enough
to have visited three of his houses where he lived at various times of his life. Portsmouth where he was
born, London where he had a beautiful large home for his very large family and lastly in Kent, in a
mansion that his father had pointed out to him, when he was a young boy, as a property that he should
aspire to buying when he was a grown man (and he did!).
The first house I bought in 1960 was a Victorian villa type in central London I paid £2,500 for it and today
it is worth around a million pounds. How rich we would all be if we could have seen how the property
market would flourish in our lifetimes? Dickens would have most certainly have not believed what any of
those three properties could fetch today.
How very lucky we are to have his great great grandson Gerald attending our festivals and performing
for us to deliver his works in exactly the same manner that we believe Dickens did. Thank you Gerald for
the many wonderful performances I have experienced from on the stage in Llandrindod Wells and in
Broadstairs.
I have been an avid collector of Victoriana for many years and loved to visit antique centres and fairs to
seek out desirable items to add to my collection and consequently my home is full of them.
Nowadays I have to make do with watching ‘BARGAIN HUNT’ as often as possible since I now do not have
many opportunities to experience the real thing. I adore Victorian fashion especially the hats so it is easy
why I love the LWVF SO MUCH!!
But how did I come to discover it? Me, a Londoner who only knew Cardiff, Swansea and the beautiful
Gower Coast. Well……….this is how it happened, and I magically discovered your beautiful town.
I was travelling from a week’s holiday in Yorkshire to visit my friends in Swansea. Before I left I decided
to stick a pin in my map as a way to decide where I would stop for a comfort break (doesn’t everybody do
that then? My pin landed bang on the “Top of Dod, and after I had spent some time working out how to
pronounce it I set off and my fate was sealed!!
I am a great believer in FATE!! Everything happens for a reason, VERY SIMPLE PHILOSOPHY – (I know,
don’t nag), So it came that I found myself parking at the Metropole and making use of their excellent
facilities and ordering a coffee. Looking out of the window I espied a Bandstand (a Victorian invention
that I especially love) – (along with seaside piers).
I set off to walk round the town, firstly through the lovely little park (more Victorian with someone
setting out a Croquet pitch!)
Continued on next pageI found the town absolutely delightful
especially when I came to a large shop
with an enormous window space
filled with life size wooden cut-out
figures, dressed as Victorians and
apparently enjoying being at a
Victorian Ball, I was enchanted. Tony
and Chris’s details were on the
windows so as soon as possible I was
on the phone speaking to Tony, and
getting myself booked in to their
Greylands B & B for the forthcoming
Victorian Festival.
After that my life was never the same
again and never will be for the rest of
my life. I acquired a huge Victorian
wardrobe of outfits, shoes, boots,
hats, handbags and jewellery.
I came to eleven festivals, made lots of
lovely friends and thoroughly enjoyed
every minute of every festival. Each
time I came I never wanted the week
to end. I loved joining all the events
and always appreciated the hard
work that everyone did in order to
make each festival so enjoyable and
successful.
I would have loved to be able to
contribute more time to help but the
distance from my home coupled with
my total inability to master any
modern technology made that
impossibility. However I can pour a decent glass of champagne and hand round a bowl or two of
strawberries and so for the last five years this offering of mine as a contribution to the festival seemed to
be fairly popular.
I had wonderful help from some very special people to put on that “SHOW” and I loved it that so many
friends came to join in. I have the photos to enjoy whenever I wish – Oh the joy of photos!!
I do so hope that there will be more festivals to come to in the future. I hate to think that it’s ALL OVER
but we have to accept whatever comes to us – as I said earlier I am a great believer in fate and whatever
will be will be (I am NOT however always myself an accepting believer in fate).
I will always have my lovely life changing memories of Dod. If I could I would put my house on my back
(otherwise known as a removal van, mount my magic carpet (otherwise known as my camper van) and
fly across to you to live out my days in a Victorian Heaven of bliss…if only…
YOURS FOREVER
Madame Bollinger (“I drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when
I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory”), otherwise known as Joyce WalkerLLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE VICTORIAN FESTIVAL
The true story of Llandrindod Wells is the one worth telling. The story of the authentic contributions
previous generations have made to the history and culture is the one that will interest visitors, because
that is what distinguishes Llandrindod Wells from every other town in the area. It’s authenticity that
adds real value and appeal. Our area is unique, and its special charm is what will draw visitors. By doing
the job right—by focusing on authenticity and quality - it gives Llandrindod Wells the edge.
The now famous Victorian Festival in Llandrindod Wells was established in 1981. Originally attracting
some 35,000 visitors yearly to the town that has a population on 5,000 was no mean feat, but the
apparent ease in which it was done was largely due to a transformation achieved in response to the
Victorian era.
Victorian window displays and the townspeople sporting a wide variety of appropriate costumes
created an atmosphere the result of which was nothing short of miraculous. The town’s unspoilt
architecture provided a perfect backdrop to the celebrations, and in Temple Gardens we had a venue
for many different types of entertainment provided free for visitors and residents throughout the day.
All tastes where accommodated for; daily bandstand concerts, costumed parades, children’s
entertainers, fancy dress competitions, bands and musical interludes, stalls and craft market,
suffragette demonstration, Mardi Gras, talks, evening balls and functions, theatrical presentations and
much, much more.
At the end of the seven-day festival proceedings were closed in the grandest of manners with the
moving torchlight procession and fireworks display at the lakeside. All in all we look forward to a
spectacular and very special festival and we hope that you will help in achieving this.
But Llandrindod Wells has much more to offer – the lake with its walks, cycle tracks, a great Restaurant
and Boathouse with fantastic views of the lake – Rock Park – Temple Gardens – Llandrindod Pomarium
community orchard – International standard Bowling greens – Golf course and an indoor bowling club.
In Llandrindod “Hospitality is our Business,” from the four star Metropole to great value for money
guesthouses, camping from basic to ‘Glam’ and caravan parks – restaurants offering dishes from Asian
to Oriental, Italian to Thai and Burgers to Kebabs.
But it is the people who make the town, an active traders association and progressive town council, all
integral to the town’s success.
Visit us for the Victorian Festival, Radnor Fringe Festival and the Carnival plus other events and
activities
We may be a small town but we have a large and welcoming heart of gold.
So what can we expect in2021?
Next year will be the 40th Anniversary of the Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival, and the changes over
the years represent the lack of grants and finances and also very little interest from the town and their
involvement in it.
The festival is like Marmite; you either love it or hate it! We need to put the love back into it.
Llandrindod Wells is famous for it Victorian festival; look at Wikipedia for example.Like so many festivals it has suffered the ravages of time, participation and financial support, but with the
involvement of the town and businesses it can be regenerated; let us ensure that the 40th anniversary will
not be the last!
We need help with grants and donations and people to get involved – so please help us to keep the
festival going.
The festival next year will be from 23rd to 30th August; the final day, bank holiday Monday will be a
community celebration day.
The gardens will be packed with stalls and food and beverage outlets (contact us to reserve a stall), there
will be concerts, competitions a funfair and music; Queen Victoria will open the festival on the 23rd
August following a cavalcade from the railway station.
Sunday night will be the usual torchlight procession and fire works display sponsored by the Town
Council – and then the Community Celebration Day on Bank Holiday Monday.
Profit from the ticketed evening theatrical events, dances, fun nights and firework collection will all go
towards the garden daytime events.
We will be looking for sponsorship for the gardens and other events, advertising in our brochure and
website is available, so please contact us.
We know other festivals and carnivals are suffering; we can help by loaning out our equipment to them,
plus we have our own extensive sound and light systems available for discos and other events.
“AND THE PEOPLE STAYED HOME.
AND THEY LISTENED, AND READ BOOKS, AND RESTED, AND EXERCISED, AND MADE ART, AND PLAYED
GAMES, AND LEARNED NEW WAYS OF BEING, AND WERE STILL.
AND THEY LISTENED MORE DEEPLY. SOME MEDITATED, SOME PRAYED, SOME DANCED. SOME MET THEIR
SHADOWS. AND THE PEOPLE BEGAN TO THINK DIFFERENTLY.
AND THE PEOPLE HEALED .
AND, IN THE ABSENCE OF PEOPLE LIVING IN IGNORANT, DANGEROUS, AND HEARTLESS WAYS, THE EARTH
BEGAN TO HEAL.
AND WHEN THE DANGER PASSED, AND THE PEOPLE JOINED TOGETHER AGAIN, THEY GRIEVED THEIR
LOSSES, AND MADE NEW CHOICES, AND DREAMED NEW IMAGES, AND CREATED NEW WAYS TO LIVE AND
HEAL THE EARTH FULLY, AS THEY HAD BEEN HEALED .”
Catherine O’Meara
LLANDRINDOD WELLS VICTORIAN FESTIVAL
CHRISTOPHER HARTLEY FIH, FESTIVAL DIRECTOR & NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Apt. 2, Rosehill Mews, Cefnllys Lane, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5LD
Tel: 01597825012 – Mobile: 07485674431
Email: admin@victorian-festival.co.uk
Website: www.victorian-festival.co.ukYou can also read
