Excitement for Newcastle Emlyn’s ‘Victorian Night’ dashed by 60-70s Theme Change

A large majority of residents of Newcastle Emlyn and the surrounding area are voicing their deep disappointment over social media following the recent decision to rebrand the town’s cherished “Victorian Night” into a 60s and 70s themed event, a move they feel has stripped away the festive spirit that has defined the celebration for years.

One long-time resident lamented, “I’ve lived here for 27 years and that was the worst Victorian Night I’ve ever seen. Whoever decided to make this change needs a good shake.

“Victorian Night has always been a cherished Christmas tradition for our town, but this year lacked any stalls, Christmas atmosphere, or community buzz—absolutely nothing supportive for local businesses. We need to excite visitors about what our town has to offer, allowing local traders to showcase their products and draw people back in, rather than charging them for stalls before building that community support.

“Without visitors, there is no event, and tonight’s flop proves that. And let’s not blame the weather; it rains most Victorian Nights, yet the atmosphere is usually vibrant.”

Critics argue that the change not only alienated the town’s longstanding traditions but also failed to showcase local businesses that thrive during this pivotal holiday event.

With calls for a return to the original Victorian theme, residents stress the importance of fostering community spirit and excitement that draws visitors back to Newcastle Emlyn, reinforcing the idea that without public interest, the event itself loses its significance.

Residents took to Facebook with their frustration. One resident said, “It’s sad that the tradition has been changed into a theme night, used to like seeing those that dressed up.” Attendees noted a marked difference in atmosphere, with one commenter reflecting, “Totally agree it was the worse one yet, hardly any stalls, didn’t know there was anything going on in the Emlyn Arms,” highlighting the previously bustling environment that Victorian Night typically generates.

Concerns regarding the financial impact on local businesses were also raised. A local expressed their disappointment, stating, “Sad state of affairs! I really feel for all the towns shops and traders. It’s usually a busy night and boosts the economy. I doubt last night did much for any of the businesses financially.” Despite these criticisms, some aspects were acknowledged as positive, such as the tractor run, which received praise: “The tractor run was great though really enjoyed.”

Participants noted the absence of traditional elements that contributed to the event’s charm in the past. “We missed the choirs in the church that we enjoyed last year. They were fabulous and really added to the Christmas atmosphere,” remarked another resident. This sentiment was echoed by others who felt the event could have been better organised to reflect its roots, with suggestions for improvement: “If you’re going to change it up do it properly. Could have had a band playing 60’s/70’s music. Better management of who had stalls. I didn’t see hardly any advertisement of the event. Poor show.”

Lastly, the presence of vendors not aligned with local tradition drew criticism, as one resident noted, “Personally we felt the big van outside the Three Compasses pub selling its wares was not in keeping with our towns small independent shops and local crafts that we always support.”

Silver Lining

However there were a number of people who rallied to support the change and hailed it as an enjoyable evening of festivity and fun.

One person said:

“We have some amazing, kind and caring people giving up their time for our local community – support them or lose them.”