Report on Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival 2007
The Opening Ceremony, by the Chairman of Powys County Council, took place in the Festival Marquee because of the rain. The Marquee was crowded and the Ceremony was followed by a group of the local Beavers, Cubs and Scouts renewing their Promise. This was to coincide with the celebration of a hundred years of Scouting. During the afternoon a packed room in the Commodore Hotel saw a Victorian Soiree, where friends had the opportunity to meet up and join in parlour-type entertainment. In the evening was the first of two Balls during the week. This was the Empress of India’s Ball, with plenty of appropriate costumes, attended by Her Majesty Queen Victoria.
On Sunday morning there was the church service at Holy Trinity Church, using the Service of Morning Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer 1662. We feel this is an important part of the week’s festivities, but it is not now attended by so many as in previous years. However, there were still many people in costume. Some Nostalgia Members entered the Mr & Mrs Llandrindod competition and Jacqui Cowles won the title of Mrs Llandrindod. In the evening we went to hear the Beaufort Male Voice Choir. What a wonderful evening of entertainment.
The weather was now starting to improve and this encouraged visitors to come and enjoy the events that were going on. Monday afternoon saw us at Henley Royal Regatta (in the Pavilion) - an event very ably organised and run by Barbara and Eddie Goldsmith, and great fun. There was an opportunity to cox or coach a crew, or perhaps have a flutter on one of the University crews that were entering the races! On Monday evening in the Pavilion there was a Ceilidh with the band Much A-do, which gave the opportunity to join in some dancing and also to learn some new dances, which were expertly called for us.
At midday on Tuesday we managed to get some Nostalgia Members together for a short practice of Karovian dances, before the ladies entered the best dressed hat and best parasol competitions. Then we returned to the Pavilion for the Tea Dance. This was another well-attended, enjoyable event. In the evening there was entertainment from the ‘War Babes’ in 1940s style. They had the audience joining in the singing and games and thoroughly entertained us. We were also treated to a ration box of sandwiches, cake, apple and chocolate!
At lunchtime on Wednesday we had a Suffragette practice. This year, as Mrs Pankhurst was in prison, we were to be addressed by Lady Olave Baden-Powell following our annual March on the Sunday. Therefore we had to ensure that our singing and chanting was synchronised and to the standard expected of the Llandrindod Suffragettes! I do not think we let ourselves down! In fact we even managed to recruit to the Suffragettes a visitor from Canada!
In the evening we had our “below stairs” event. This year it was a Butler’s Bash organised by the Friends of the Festival Committee. There were some new games as well as the popular Pass the Parcel and Musical Chairs. Cook had done well in providing everyone with a ‘Ploughman’s supper’ and the Mistress of Music provided some welcome music for us to dance to. Nanny Knowles was on hand to dispense nasty medicine to those who misbehaved! I think it fair to say that everyone enjoyed themselves.
On Thursday morning I heard a Victorian Flower Arranging Demonstration. This was a new event and well supported. There were about six arrangements in total which were raffled at the end. We certainly had some ideas for appropriate arrangements at any Victorian events. In the afternoon we all went to the Village Fete, hosted by the Squire. There were plenty of games, stalls and competitions and some dancing! In the evening there was an almost full house for the Music Hall, performed by the Llandrindod Wells Theatre Company - another excellent performance!
On Friday morning we attended a talk on Welsh Hats and costume. Although poorly attended the talk was very informative and interesting. What a turnout for the Welsh Ladies Tea Party in the afternoon. All those attending had to be in Welsh costume and they had made a fantastic effort. Mrs Myfanwy Llewelyn-Cadwallader provided her guests with typical Welsh fare, and entertainment was provided by a visiting ‘renowned’ harpist!! This was a thoroughly enjoyable event. The Musical Interlude on Friday evening gave a good mix of entertainment from Ffrindiau, Llandrindod Wells Silver Band and Rhayader Male Voice Choir. It was well attended, in the company of Queen Victoria.
On Saturday morning many people gathered to improve their dancing skills in preparation for the Grand Ball that evening. Before lunch we managed to fit in a dance practice, for the Karovian presentation. In the afternoon all those taking part in the event assembled early to take their places. I understand about forty eight tickets were sold. Those attending heard all about the history of Karovia and the Czar’s ancestors. They were encouraged to join in the National Anthem (several times!) and to speak some of the language. They were given a short talk on the various costumes of Karovia, the Dandelion wine, with a demonstration on how it is made, the judicial system, the honey and the dancing. We were able to finish the talk with the audience joining in one of the dances. Following the National Anthem Queen Victoria presented Czar Olav with a gift from the people of Llandrindod Wells.
The finest costumes had been kept for the Saturday evening and the Grand Ball. What a wonderful sight! Having been taught dance etiquette in the morning everyone behaved accordingly, which added to the spectacle of the evening. Geoff and Joy Codd ably led the dancing, which included those dances we had practised in the morning workshop. This was another successful event, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone including the spectators in the balcony. This is surely the highlight of the week.
As in previous years there was a good turnout for the Suffragette March on the Sunday afternoon. Our speaker was Lady Olave Baden-Powell, alias Janet Swindale, who arrived in a motor car accompanied by a guide leader and preceded by a scout master carrying a red flag. She led the March around Temple Gardens, through the Craft tent and on to the Bandstand. There she gave us a rousing speech to spur us on to further action in the Suffragette movement.
Our overall impression – a wonderful week, plenty to do, the opportunity for many different costumes and to join in all the different events, a chance to make new friends and renew old acquaintances. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We look forward to next year’s Festival from 16th to 24th August 2008.
Rosemary and John Blyth
For more information visit the Festival Website - Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival
