Fishy feelings…

If you’re looking for some delicious food of the fishy variety, then look no further than the Monmouthshire Seafood Fayre! It’s taking place on Sunday 9 September in Abergavenny Castle and the one thing that’ll definitely get us there is the oyster and champagne reception!!! Not only oysters at the beginning, but there’s a free oyster bar throughout the whole day!

There will also be a seafood lunch with live entertainment as well as the Oyster opening Championships!! You may even see us taking part… Okay, so we have no chance of opening any oysters, we just eat them. We do know however that it's not just a case of opening as many oysters as you can in the fastest time, but more a feat of skill and perseverance. Carelessness will just not do! Tickets cost £30.

So if you’re a lover of seafood, this is pretty much the perfect place in Wales!
http://www.monmouthshireseafoodfayre.co.uk/

‘It’s now or never’ – ‘Elvis Preselis’ marks time to get fit

The Preseli Walking festival is now in full swing and Sunday 18th May saw the ‘Elvis Preselis’ walk take place in the Preseli Hills. Part of the Preseli Walking Festival supported by PLANED, the walk was also the first of many events forming part of the Celtic 10 x 10 Charity Challenge, a year –long challenge which is aimed at encouraging the people of Pembrokeshire, young and old, fit and not-so-fit, to complete a total of 100 kilometres by participating in a number of designated walking and running events over a ten month period. On most walking events dogs are welcome too!

Sponsored by local firms, Colourprint UK, Milford Haven Port Authority and Signum Designworks, the Celtic 10 x 10 Challenge is aiming to raise money for two nominated charities, locally the Bucketful of Hope Appeal and, nationally, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Rhiannon Ace, main co-ordinator for the Celtic 10 x 10 Charity Challenge said: ‘we hope that both these tremendous events will help persuade the people of Pembrokeshire to get outside and appreciate the wonderful environment we live in whilst at the same time benefitting their own health!’


For an information leaflet about the Preseli Walking Festival contact Alison at PLANED on 01834 862116/862109.

For an information pack and details on how to register for the Celtic 10 x 10 Challenge call Rhiannon Ace on 07773 623700.

Go Potters with ClayArt Wales this May

Yes that's right it is the time of year for ClayArt Wales’ Potters Market to open its doors to clay lovers all over the UK.

The event, which starts on Saturday 17th May, is held over two days in The Old Coachhouse, Denbigh, North Wales and gives over 70 of the UK’s leading potters and ceramic artists, all selected for their creativity and quality, a chance to show of their best pieces of pottery, ceramics and sculptures.

Now in its seventh year, the event has become an important part of the ceramic events calendar and it not only gives pottery lovers the chance to buy, but also has demonstrations about how to make the best ceramics around, kiln firings, and musical entertainment.

There is also a chance for the children to get involved and show their creative side with workshops happening all over the place.

If you want more information about the event visit www.clayart.org.uk

Testing our fitness

We’re not short of a hill or two here in Wales. While this may lead to assumptions about our natural climbing ability and sheep-like grace as we leap from peak to peak, this may sadly be an urban myth. Frankly, we don’t know if we have managed to evolve kangaroo-like leg muscles, tied to our desks as we are day and night to bring you news of such quality events. So in May, we will be freeing ourselves from the shackles of work and heading West to tackle the first ever Preseli Walking Festival in Pembrokeshire.

Ever the fans of buy one get one free offers, we’re loving this festival for the simple fact it contains four separate events – the Newport Bay Spring Festival, St Dogmael’s Festival, Drover’s Festival and Fishguard Folk Festival. The fitter ones out there (there’s always one) can go for all day hikes over the blue stone hills, or even follow ancient drovers trails, while those of us who prefer our exercise spliced with regular food stops and breaks for air can take gentle rambles across the coastline and lowlands to discover ancient shipwrecks. And of course, always ones for a good old knees up, a traditional folk festival never fails to appeal.

For more information contact Kate Lindley.

Tel: 01834 862109 Email: kated@planed.org.uk www.planed.org.uk

At the moment we are……

Throwing pots…
…on a wheel, not Greek-style. This is the latest skill being honed at Events HQ, and all other hobbies have been jettisoned as we disappear under a mound of frankly bizarre attempts at ‘art’ created by our very own fair hands.

This latest attempt at artistic merit (having long since given up art on the advice – or perhaps orders – of our long suffering art teachers) is in aid of Clay Art Wales, where ham fisted amateurs like ourselves can mix with the great and good of the UK’s art scene. Here we can watch the masters at work in the beautiful Llanrhaeadr Hall, picking up hints and tips from them that may even allow us to make a recognisable shape for once – or at least buy one of theirs and pass it off as our own.

We will certainly be taking advantage of being able to pick up some new equipment from the trade stands - not that we are blaming our tools or anything….
www.clayart.org.uk

Getting steamy in Monmouthshire

At the moment we are.....

Getting steamy in Monmouthshire

Ah, the delights of steam power. Not that we haven’t experienced the delights of the internal combustion engine here in Wales mind, it’s just sometimes a little trip down memory lane is a great way to spend a day. Consequently, we are knee deep in carburettors, engines and all things steam as we prepare for the Border Counties Steam and Vintage Show on the 3 and 4 May.

Now, organising a steam show is not as easy as it may sound. There’s not just the huge numbers of cars, steam engines, tractors and bikes to organise for the diehard steam fans, but all the entertainment and other attractions too. However, after perfecting our hoop-la skills and spending a slightly terrifying time booking a bird of prey display, we are dutifully soldiering on, organising the hundreds of stalls that surround the event and of course, some fantastic food.
http://www.bordercountiesvintageclub.co.uk/

Welcome to Wales!

It’s all going on in Wales’ countryside this year. The deepest corners of rural Wales aren’t just home to sheep farmers and the odd drop of rain…we are all busy honing our recipes for the world cawl cooking championships and eating oysters by the dozen in preparation for the Welsh oyster opening championships. And in between all this practicing we’ve even found time to write up the experiences of organising events across rural Wales so you can come and join us this year.

Go on, come to Wales and get stuck in this year- and while our eyes may be focused firmly on the events, we’re told the scenery’s pretty special too.

Golley Slater is promoting festivals and events across rural Wales on behalf of rural development and tourism groups from Pembrokeshire, Monmouthshire, Denbighshire and Flintshire.