AROUND 3,000 visitors enjoyed the annual Welsh Perry and Cider Festival at Caldicot Castle over the weekend.

The rain did not deter the crowds, with many arriving in wellies and raincoats on Friday and Saturday before the sunshine broke out for the latter part of the festival – which featured 148 types of ciders and perry.

The four-day event, now in its 13th year, featured the Welsh Perry and Cider Championships, a Medieval day and live performances from bands including the Gwent-based Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band, Henry’s Funeral Shoe and Caldicot-based Beatles tribute band The Beat Goes On.

Event organiser, Cressida Slater, said: “This year we had a bigger cider marquee, which had a great atmosphere, as we knew we wouldn’t get good weather for a second year running.

“It’s been a fantastic event, which included Medieval Monday, which is a family day where we had demonstrations from Jester Jill, who held a circus workshop, a Viking tournament called King Kubb and a history chef who cooked medieval dishes and got our young visitors involved.”

The winner of the Welsh Champion Perry was Gwynt y Ddraig, of Llantwit Fardre, with Perry Vale and the Welsh Champion Cider was Williams Brothers, of Llanbradach with Medium Splanky.