Chairman’s Welcome
Dear Festival goers
This is to let you all know what is brewing in the festival pipeline for 2013.
There is a wealth of talent out there but it is a case of choosing what we think would tempt you. There will be the usual mix of fascinating talks, which are mostly in the afternoons, across the most diverse subjects from seaweed to forts of Pembrokeshire, from sailing round the world to music hall and desert exploration.
The week will start without the usual parade as funds simply do not allow us to spend £3,000 with virtually no return. Our investment will be to give you top entertainment throughout the whole week.
The first Saturday is September 21st which starts with a lunch time concert concentrating on young talent to include the winner of the Gregynog young musicians competition, and some talented local saxophone players. In the evening Costas Fotopolous plays the music of Chopin with a narration of his life story presented by actor Alberto Bono and written by local writer Josephine Hammond.
Sunday will be a day of fun with the sandcastle competition taking place on the beach followed by the talk by an expert on seaweed. The evening promises great things with the Budapest Cafe Orchestra taking care of those with bohemian tastes and a liking for wild gypsy music.
Monday has Jo Hammond giving a talk about women explorers of the desert and the evening has the return of the of that most versatile actress, Alison Neale who the year is presenting her one woman play “The Fossil Lady of Lyme”.
Tuesday has talks from a couple who sailed round the world and were captured by pirates.
Wednesday brings the talk on the forts of Pembrokeshire by George Geer and in the evening we have the very talented pianist Viv Mclean. Viv has been coming to Pembrokeshire for ten years giving recitals at Lampeter house. He was the winner of the Royal Overseas league piano competition and frequently accompanies the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Thursday should be an interesting day starting with readings by Brother David from Caldey Island who will have published his most recent book of poetry. Next in Church House will be a complete contrast with a workshop by the very popular local artist, Graham Hadlow. The evening is full of Tenby flavour featuring the Tenby Male choir who never fail to pack the church also a play written by a local author, Tony Curtis. This is based on the three most famous sons and daughters of Tenby, namely Augustus John, his sister Gwen John and Nina Hamnett. Nina was born in February 1890 and was a writer, artist and very Bohemian. She lived a scandalous life and died in 1956 by falling out of her window and being impaled on the railings below.
As the week draws towards its close there is old fashioned music hall for your entertainment on Friday afternoon which will include afternoon tea.
Friday evening
The final day Saturday September 28th sees the festival finish with a flourish by welcoming the famous conductor Grant Llewellyn who has agreed to rehearse the singers of Pembrokeshire in the afternoon and they will give a concert in the evening.
Grant has served as chief to many orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic of Flanders, the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra and the National Orchestra of Wales. He also conducted the Cardiff singer of the year competition just to name a few of his many achievements.
Other exciting ideas are in the pipeline and information will be posted on the website as soon as they are confirmed. So watch this space!
Rosemary Rhys Davies
Chairman
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