6th Owain Glyndwr Festival
17th, 18th & 19th September 2010 - The Ancient Briton
To remind you of the fun here is a gallery of images from the festival by photographer Eleanor Flaherty, or go to the Gallery Page.
 Autumnal rains held off again this year as people began arriving to set up camp in the shadow of the giant Cribarth in preparation for the 6th Owain Glyndwr Festival. The colourful medieval scene that emerged in this beautiful rural setting by the Ancient Briton in the Upper Swansea Valley, brought over 2000 people together to participate & celebrate our versatile communities cultural heritage with an exclusive, high quality, memorable medieval experience.
 As in previous years Lazarus & the Lambs, with many other talented singers & musicians, made ready to welcome Owain Glyndwr during the Friday night open mic merry-making. Replenished with real ale & good food, provided by Dragon’s Den, the Unusual Food Company & Veronica’s Incredible Crêpes, visitors were captivated by the varied music, enhanced this year by a fabulous Fire Display from MC Jimmy Juggle.
On Saturday, the festival was opened by Prince Owain himself, exchanging his personal standard for the gleaming sword made especially in his honour. In commemoration of the Prince’s victory at Pilleth the Meibion Y Ddraig (Archers) & the Freemen of Gwent (Knights) re-enacted the capture of the English knight Mortimer to the jubilation of all those present, as well as skilfully demonstrating frighteningly dangerous combat & survival tactics; their own barber/surgeon was on hand this year to perform any necessary trepanning, bone-setting & amputations!
 Inspired by the medieval ambiance, Dragon’s Den became transformed. Rob put on chain mail & Dave donned a Jester’s costume and proceeded to create a spectacular castle frontage, inclusive of drawbridge & the colourful standards of the Prince himself. Julie & Jamie Mighty joined the Food Hall with Veronica & Paul, all 4 stalls providing a wide variety of good food throughout the weekend. During the day Jimmy Juggle demonstrated circus skills, provided workshop opportunities & paraded on stilts, not only as Merlin, but also highlighted the plight of the bee with his 9ft new bee costume; Play Supply initiated their much loved medieval play activities, creating tableaux for the Prince; the Ospreys Supporters Choir, The Grief Brothers & the Whitefern Mountain String Band entertained all with their music; local craft stalls & volunteer organisations demonstrated their creative products and visitors wandered through the authentic medieval encampments having the opportunity to chat with the fighting men & their residing families as well as the Prince in his pavilion. 
The Saturday night brought on a hog roast & traditional Ceilidh dancing with Cat’s Claw followed by more toe-tapping music from Whitefern. It culminated with the one & only Andy Jones topping the bill, who eventually had absolutely everyone on their feet with his grassroots sound – his music attracted other talented musicians on stage & visitors were treated to a unique two hour non-stop impromptu experience.
Sunday morning, campfires smoked, horses were harnessed, battle sounds were to be heard again, set off against music from Lazarus & the Lambs, Irina & Lyn & the swinging Philanderers. The final Children’s Parade closed yet another ‘best little Owain Glyndwr Festival in Wales’ with Prince Owain vowing to return on 16th - 18th September 2011!
 We gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions of Call of the Wild, Wynford Thomas & Sons and the Glantawe Lions’ Club. The medieval field is part-funded by the Cadw Civic Initiatives (Heritage) Grant Scheme. The Festival is organised by volunteers of The Sleeping Giant Foundation who work tirelessly throughout the year to enable this event to take place. For further information about other community events
 
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