Crowds flock to Llandovery’s Free Sheep Festival for Bahnds, Bahrs, Bahjis and Bahrgains

Crowds turned out for the annual sheep festival in Llandovery today, Saturday (Sep 16).

The market square and the castle car park were full of stalls and stages where everything wolly was on offer including sheep playing celtic instruments.

This huge free event had been put on by a local committee of volunteers with support from the Town Council. Families wondered around the town where there were stalls selling local produce and local cooked food.

The Market Square had a large stage area where musicians plied their craft. Ian Shimmin played a great acoustic set with covers by a number of famous artists including Elvis and The Beatles. Singer Rhiannon wowed the crowd with her own songs in Welsh. It was quite magical hearing Rhiannon singing as it carried on the morning air across this beautiful market square.

One of the highlights was the Bagad Glaziked Pouldregad a large Breton band who led the parade from the square to the castle. Crowds gathered around to listen to this traditional Celtic music. They were joined later by Samba Galez and the two fused together beautifully.

Performers also entertained with clog dancing by Flight of Fancy who also doubled as the sheep duet playing music.

Children were mesmerised by the Forestry Fairy Friends Theatre and their unique performance of A Midsummer’s Day Dream, which addressed issues such as Climate Change and Littering. Children sang and danced along with glee.

The festival began on Friday evening as the Twinning Association welcomed the Breton guests and held a concert with Llandovery Male Voice Choir as guests.

Organisers said that the event had been a huge success so far with Sunday still to come. The light drizzle did not dampen spirits and there was plenty of food and drink on offer at the local pubs, cafes and market stalls.

The Free event runs on Sunday kicking off at 10.30 am.

Mayor of Llandovery Gina Jones said that the festival had brought an economic boost to the town and praised the organisers for their hard work. The Mayor of Llandeilo Christoph Fischer was also visiting for the event.

Organiser Rachael Everett said that the free family event had been successful and that the festival was based on the history of the drovers. She said it was fun and an unusual identity for an event. Rachael said that the museum also has a new lease of life. She said “We really want to bring history to life. Most people travel through on their way to Pembrokeshire but they are beginning to stop and see what the town has to offer.”

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