Folk Festival still growing (From Free Press Series)

Folk Festival still growing

3:30pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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AROUND 400 children danced in the centre of Cwmbran on Saturday at a festival of Welsh folk music.

Gwerinwyr Gwent started the Gwyl Plant Festival of Welsh folk dance for children in 1981. Back then just eight schools took part, but this number rose to over 100 at its peak.

Secretary of Gwyl Plan Gwent, Dawn Webster, said: "What with schools being disposed of and joined together that number is down to about 80, but we still have just a many children it’s just that they’re dancing for different schools.

"On Saturday we had about 200 children in the morning and another 200 in the afternoon. It was a lovely day and although it rained for a few minutes, we still finished the dance before we all took shelter."

Local schools participating included Griffithstown Primary, Padre Pio of Pontypool and the Woodlands Community School. Music was provided by the Parsley Hay band and the mayor and his wife was there to join in.

Mrs Webster continued: "We always have some dances where we get the children to encourage the adults to have a go.

"We have four festivals each year in Newport, Cwmbran, Abertillery and Abergavenny. Although this year we had an extra day as we danced at the proclamation ceremony for the National Eistedfodd in Ebbw Vale next year.

"It’s a lot of hard work for all the teachers and the committee but it’s worth it at the end of each year to see all the children dancing."

The festival is non-competitive and open to any youth group, not just to schools.

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