River festival organisers praying for drought

06 Aug 2008

Organisers of a unique Port Talbot valleys festival are keeping their fingers crossed that rain won’t halt play at this year’s event.

The Afan River Festival, held in the Communities First-designated Upper Afan Valley, was cancelled because of last summer’s bad weather. But the forecast for next Tuesday (August 12) is a little more promising.

“It doesn’t look like there’s going to be blazing sunshine, but at least we shouldn’t have the torrential rain of last August,” said Yvonne Casey, Communities First Administrator for the Upper Afan Forum, which is helping stage the family day out.

Involved are the four Communities First areas of Upper Afan Valley, Cwmavon, Pelenna and Sandfields, along with Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Services.

The festival will take place at Glyncorrwg Ponds and football field from 12noon-4pm, and feature a range of free activities including pond dipping, bouncy castles and magic mirrors, as well as stalls selling crafts and refreshments.

Organisations exhibiting include Groundwork, the local fire safety team, Community Safety Police, Local Action Centre, Health Challenge Wales, Keep Wales Tidy, Alive & Ticking and other local groups.

“The first and second festivals were extremely successful in uniting residents of the wards of Cymmer—including the communities of Croeserw, Abercregan, Duffryn and Cynonville-Glyncorrwg and Gwynfi—in enjoyment of a unique local occasion,” said Yvonne Casey.

“The event was organised as a celebration of the river with the aim of service providers liaising to put on a family fun day with free activities for the children of the Afan Valley and surounding areas.

“It brings together the wider community, which brings back the community spirit that has diminished over the years. It also offers local children the chance to take part in activities that they may otherwise not have the opportunity to experience.”

The event is being supported by local employer Corus to the tune of £1,500. Corus Community Spokesman Keith Farron said: “The Afan River Festival plays a major role in helping people rediscover their community spirit and celebrate their local culture and identity.

“Towns and villages away from the coast in areas like this can often be forgotten. Without the enthusiasm of local residents, events like this would be difficult to keep going—which is why Corus felt very strongly about supporting a project which provides an opportunity for all ages to try various recreational activities and have some fun.”