2005 FESTIVAL - PHOTO GALLERY
Page last updated: 25/07/2006
6th, 7th & 8th May 2005
We were blessed with fine, dry weather this year - and more than ever in the way of both crowds and volunteers helping to run the festival (click here to see photos from the 2004 festival and here for photos of 2006).
The festival's new president - local MP Mr Paul Flynn - leads the procession on Saturday in the company of (from left) sound desk supremo Dave Cox, vice-president Steve Lyons and vice-president Marcus Butler... |
... then officially opens the festival from the courtyard stage.
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Here's the army cadets from Hereford - with their instructor, Roger Matthews - who did such a fine job assisting with the site set-up, packing away and stewarding throughout the weekend. |
Tony Vasami made sure everyone had enough to eat, serving up salads, pasta and pizzas late into the night. |
Jan Edgecombe kept the children busy all weekend with her "blackboard van". Here she is leading a very colourful dragon in the procession. |
These are some of the musicians from the visiting Sicilian dance team, Val d'Akragas.
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Locally-based Jawahir middle-eastern belly dancers are now firm favourites at the festival and always draw a good crowd...
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... and Newport's salsa dancers followed them in the procession. |
Barry Butler - our other festival vice-president - accompanies the younger generation in representing Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl Welsh folk dancers...
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...and here's the rest of the group.
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We even had circus performers demonstrating and teaching their craft this year...
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... and Isca Men's Morris showed that their tradition is still alive and kicking.
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La Paloina from the Netherlands show that agility's often needed in folk dancing... |
...while Caldicot-based Widders give it some stick in the courtyard.
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The audience in the courtyard enjoy the performances in Welsh spring sunshine... |
... although it's all a bit much for some! |
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Local Welsh clog-step group "Traed ar Dân" (literally "Feet on Fire") bring the tradition bang up to date on the courtyard stage.
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The festival's about more than dancing, however. Here's the Gwent schools band making music in the marquee...
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... while a brace of fiddle players discuss the finer points of technique in the brewhouse courtyard, accompanied by...
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... a whistle...
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... a little percussion from the bodhran...
| ... and a couple more fiddles.
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Jan's van gets some re-decoration from a willing helper (don't worry - it washes off afterwards!)
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Many thanks to all who helped run the show (you know who you are!) as well as our generous hosts who accommodated the visiting performers.
Thanks also to Steve, Helen and Sarah Lyons for their photos and of course to all the performers
(Click here to see photos from the 2004 festival and here for photos of 2006)