News&EventsArchive

Recently nominated for a BBC radio two award for the "best in class" Paul and Paul of Belshazzar's Feast played to a capacity audience at Llanhennock Village Hall and proved beyond doubt they are in a class of their own. A rich mix of seasonal music and song spiced with humour was warmly appreciated by all on a bleak winter's night.

Belshazzar’s Feast combines the talents of Paul Sartin (Bellowhead) and Paul Hutchinson (Hoover The Dog). Their Christmas tour, aptly named Yuleogy, presents a seasonal offering that delves back as far as the 18th century in search of rare Yuletide gems from English folk history and beyond. Glorious and evocative, their music will chase the winter gloom away, nipping at the heartstrings rather than the fingers, with sumptuous arrangements of traditional Christmas songs and carols including ‘The Cherry Tree Carol’ and a show-stopping rendition of ‘The Hampshire Mummer’s Song’ but it is also likely to dissolve into the usual mayhem, this time involving carol sheets, sing-alongs and that unique brand of humour that belongs exclusively to Belshazzar’s Feast.

Paul Hutchinson and Paul Sartin play like no-one else you've ever heard. Their music is breathtaking and wickedly inventive and the between-tunes interchange as intelligent and hilarious as the music.' Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2

Those of us fortunate enough to see John James on Saturday witnessed a guitar masterclass - no wonder he has played with the greats of the guitar world. A flawless set which held us spellbound from start to finish.

John James is a Welsh acoustic guitarist who has entertained audiences all over Britain, Europe and the USA for over 25 years. A leading figure on the acoustic music scene of the 1970's, he has appeared at the Royal Albert Hall, Olympia Paris and The Other End in New York to name but a few. He has recorded over 15 albums and presented and guested on numerous TV and radio shows in both the UK and further afield.

John has worked with performers as diverse as Led Zeppelin, Ralph McTell and Jools Holland and has worked with many other top guitar players including Happy Traum, and Eddie Walker but is mainly famed for his solo guitar pieces which include transcriptions of Scott Joplin and other classical piano rags as well as instrumentals from John's own hands. He is a hugely entertaining and accomplished performer with a sense of humour and repartee that has been likened to Billy Connolly.

John James, today remains one of the most accomplished and entertaining of guitarists who encompasses numerous music genres - folk, jazz, swing, ragtime, blues and a lot in-between.

A vibrant panoply of music - from gipsy jazz and latino to Russian, Hungarian, Celtic and more

Those lucky enough to have experienced the concert at Caerleon Comprehensive School last Saturday evening will confirm that "the Amigos" are talented musicians of great versatility. The band transported us around the globe with music from many countries and traditions. An attentive and appreciative audience could not resist the lure of the dance flooor once the tempo had been raised, and after the encores everyone departed with a spring in the step and exotic music in the soul.

You will probably never hear such a wide range of music as you would at an Amigos Concert, all played with virtuosity and buckets full of passion. With a repertoire in the region of 1000 songs ranging through Gipsy Jazz, Hot Club Jazz, Hungarian, Yiddish, Russian, Musette, Latin, Spanish, Tex-Mex, Cuban, Samba, Rumba, Calypso and Celtic.

The Amigos have dazzled audiences with their spellbinding performances throughout the UK, USA and elsewhere. They have appeared on TV and radio, numerous festivals and even the House of Commons! Hear the music on their website www.amigos-wales.com

“riotous no-holds-barred, right-in-your-face roller-coaster-ride of guitars, violin, accordion and double bass ...pump out absolutely knock-out performances that are as exciting as you can get.” Red Lick Records

STOP PRESS!: After close scrutiny of the weather forecast for the next 36 hours, it has been decided that the Gala Night be moved to the Comprehensive School for the Friday night performance. The one advantage of this is that we can provide a bar. Saturday night’s performance of the Merchant may yet still happen in the Amphitheatre but we will take a view on that in 24 hours time.

We are grateful to those hotels and restaurants of the Caerleon area who are supporting this year's sheep theme with special "festival menus" (Click here for details

). We are also grateful to Casa Apiciae who cooked Roman lamb menus at this year's Roman Military Spectacular, to the Celtic Manor Resort who put on lamb cawl at the School Arts Awards on Friday July 10th, and to Nerys Howell of Howell Foods who wil be demonstrating lamb cooking on the Festival Field on Sunday July 19th

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The local Artists' Exhibition at the Caerleon Methodist Church took place over the weekend. It featured a broad range of work, including Wilfred Bevan and Wilfred Wilson (both aged 90) and Sarah Jayne Potts (age16).

Thanks to Penny Dale and Rosemary Butler, the 2009 Celf Caerleon Arts Festival got off to a flying start with the annual celebration of the Schools' Art Awards and Composing Competition at the Celtic Manor Golf Course, in the Chairman's Marquee - story and pictures to follow.

Caerleon now has its own version of the famous white horses widely visible on chalk hillsides in Southern England. On Sunday July 5th Mark Folds, a sculptor from Newcastle Emlyn in West Wales, installed a gigantic white sheep made of carpet on the hillside below Christchurch Village. It is visible from a wide area, and it’s all part of the build up to this year’s Caerleon Arts Festival. The sheep, which measures forty feet by forty feet, was moved from a hillside near Carmarthen, and one of its unique characteristics is that it’s looking upwards. Sheep normally keep their eyes well down but Mark Folds says this particular beast is keeping an eye on low flying aircraft, a familiar feature of the West Wales countryside although not so prevalent in Caerleon!

4th July: 2009 School Art Awrds - The Results! - A message from Chris Gilbert and Catherine Philpott (School Art Awards Organisers)

Once again it has been a pleasure to select work from the five Caerleon schools for display in our Children’s Art Exhibition. We suggested ‘Creatures of the Usk Valley’ as a topic for the Primary schools to work from. This, we understood, fitted well into their curriculum.

For example in Caerleon Endowed Junior School each year group focussed on a different type of creative from the Usk :

Year 6 - Birds of Prey - following a visit to school from RSPB.
Initial sketches were made during the visit and photographs taken. Detailed drawings were made using their sketches, photos and research books.
Year 5 - Minibeasts - Pupils visited the school garden where they observed and made sketches of a variety of minibeasts. Back in the classroom they produced pastel butterfly images which were applied to a wax resist watercolour background.
Year 4 - Wildfowl - Pupils made a visit to Newport Wetlands as part of their Summer Term Science topic. Sketches of the birds were made and completed back at school using pastels.
Year 3 - fish- the theme was based on their science topic and the tissue paper squared collage work inspired by their study of Roman mosaics.

As in previous years we are indebted to three local businesses who generously give their time and materials to make the exhibition a success;

A big thank you to: -
Andrew Sweet, Honeycomb Media, Newport, who provides A3 colour prints of all the work; Jeremy Yeates, You’ve been Framed, Cwmbran, who window mounts the prints, which are then displayed at the Celtic Manor for the private Awards Ceremony; and to Janet Martin, GPF, Newport, who’ll be mounting the original work for the exhibition.

The Art Work selected can be found here on the website and the Exhibition runs from 10th – 19th July at Caerleon Pavilion, The Broadway, Caerleon….… where this year we have displayed extra work from each of the primary schools because it was just so good!!

Caerleon will soon have it’s own version of the famous white horses widely visible on chalk hillsides in Southern England. On Sunday July 5th Mark Folds, a sculptor from Newcastle Emlyn in West Wales, will be installing (temporarily) a gigantic white sheep made of carpet on the hillside below Christchurch Village. It will be visible from a wide area, and it’s all part of the build up to this year’s Caerleon Arts Festival. The sheep, which measures forty feet by forty feet, is being moved from a hillside near Carmarthen, and one of its unique characteristics is that it’s looking upwards. Sheep normally keep their eyes well down but Mark Folds says this particular beast is keeping an eye on low flying aircraft, a familiar feature of the West Wales countryside although not so prevalent in Caerleon!

It’s all in keeping with the main theme of this year’s Festival. The humble sheep has been the source of inspiration for artists and writers for thousands of years. There will be six sculptors delivering their own interpretation of what sheep are all about on the Hanbury Field between July 17th and 19th.

On July 18th and 19th there will be musical entertainment, arts and craft stalls catering for all tastes and a range of sheep related attractions. The main sponsors this year are Meat Promotion Wales, and there will be many opportunities to sample choice Welsh lamb dishes in and around the site or- if you prefer- meet some delightful live sheep on the Field! It'll be happening not only on the Field but at all the other festival venues in and around Caerleon from 10th – 19th July. The Festival organisers are particularly pleased that permission has been given by Cadw to use the Amphitheatre for a Gala night on July 17th, and Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice on July 18th.

Other events will include: a school art exhibition and school musical composing competition; an art exhibition in Caerleon Methodist Church (July 10th-12th) where there'll also be a concert by the Sunnyside Brass Quintet (July 11th); Songs of Praise (July 12th) and a concert by the Blaenavon Male Voice Choir and harpist Bethan Nia (July 15th) in St Cadoc's Church; music events in the Red Lion (July 12th),White Hart (July 13th), Bell Inn (July 14th) and the Goldcroft Inn (July 16th). For further enquiries please ring 01633 430194, Caerleon Tourist Information Centre (01633 422656) or Rafi Goldsmith (01633 430271).

For those unable to attend the performance on the 26th June you will be pleased to know that it was a success. A dry warm summer's evening in the amphitheatre was the perfect setting for a highly amusing and lively rendition of Moliere's "Tartuffe". A brand new translation ensured that the audience was engaged with every comic twist and turn in the plot, and "The Miracle Theatre Company" lived up to its reputation as "Cornwall's finest troupe". A great evening.

13th June: Beck Sian, supported by Stephen Light & The Old Arcane, entertain at the Village Hall, Llanhenock

Bathed in glorious sunshine the garden of the Wheatsheaf Inn was a stunning setting for an outstanding performance of "The Taming of the Shrew" by the Gloucester based "Rain or Shine Theatre Company". This imaginative production held the attention of a capacity audience from start to finish. The cast exploited Shakespeare's humour to great effect, and the perspectives offered on the "battle of the sexes" were provocatively enjoyable. A hugely satisfying performance was followed by a hugely satisfying hog roast.

Six sculptors, all well known to Caerleon Arts Festivals supporters, will return this year to take part in the annual sculpture symposium on the Hanbury Field. The Festival is very much part of the UK sculpture circuit these days and professional artists from home abroad are always keen to take part.

There will be an exciting programme of craft stalls, drama, music, visual arts and family entertainment in Caerleon between July 10th -19th in various parts of the town, both on and off the field. But the climax will undoubtedly be the sculpture symposium on the Hanbury Field on July 17th, 18th and 19th. The artists will be carving sheep from oak and there will be an auction at the end of the event. The sheep theme was in recognition one of Wales’ most important agricultural products and a main sponsor this year will be Hybu Cig Cymru, the body which promotes Welsh meat.

Dave Johnson is paying his fourth visit to the Festival and several pieces, one of them being the Arthurian triptych in the Millennium Garden, have now found permanent homes in Caerleon.

Tom "Carver" Harvey will be paying his second visit to the Festival. He made a strong impression last year with his wild fox.

Dai Edwards sculpted a tree from recycled wood last year, and is a well known sculptor and instructor in South East Wales. Using chainsaws safely is one of his specialities! It’s just as well since he recently became a father for the first time.

Robert Koenig carved the Lady of Shallot in 2005 - now in the grounds of the Celtic Manor Golf Clubhouse. He is an artist with a huge reputation, both here and abroad.

Paul Sivell’s figure of Arthur, Merlin and Guinevere from the 2006 Festival can be seen in the main street at Llangybi

David Lloyd’s fierce "Celtic Warrior" can be seen outside the Bell Inn. David comes from Kidwelly in West Wales

Gerard Ducret from France, who carved “Three Romans and a Celt” (now outside the Cricket Pavilion) can sadly no longer come, having injured his arm.

Playing to a full house, Rossini confirmed his mastery of the classical guitar to the delight of all present. The intimate venue and generous refreshments complemented a superb performance.

Caerleon Comprehensive School was rocked to its foundations by "the Boys" who played a set ranging from fifties rock n' roll through the swinging sixties and beyond. The crowd loved it. Favourites old and not quite so old were delivered with verve and panache. People would have danced until dawn, but sadly the licence curtailed activities at the "pumpkin hour" when fans fired up but frazzled filed homeward. A great night.

Caerleon Arts Festival has become an annual highlight in South Wales for those who love the arts. Over the past five years the festival has developed from its origin as a Sculpture Symposium into a broad spectrum arts event incorporating music, visual arts, drama, dance, poetry, film and more.

To complement our popular annual schools art competition, we have now successfully introduced the Schools Composing Competition with a trophy and a prize of £100 for each category.

Details of this year’s competition are now available and we are encouraging local pupils to enter. The competition theme this year is ‘Carnival of the Animals’ and pupils are asked to compose a set of themes based on animals of their choice. The music should reflect the qualities and characteristics of the animals they choose.

Worksheets are provided to help pupils with their compositions. In addition, Junior schools are offered a free 2-hour workshop conducted by Stephen Benavente of Isca Music. These workshops are designed to help teachers and pupils to find musical ideas and develop them into completed original compositions.

Entrants should register as soon as possible but no later than Friday 1st May 2009 and the finished piece must be submitted by 19th June 2009. The trophies will be presented at the Festival opening on Friday 10th July 2009. There is no charge for entering the competition.

For further information, advice or to book a free workshop, please contact Stephen Benavente.

Each year festival members choose a theme for the summer festival. Past themes have included history - Celtic Roman heritage of Caerleon; legend- the Arthurian mythology associated with Caerleon; topography – the River Usk; and ecology – Planet Earth. This year, the seventh year of the festival, members have chosen the topic “Sheep”.

Disbelief and dismay might be the initial response to this news (are they barmy?). The answer, when one considers the rationale behind the choice, is ....probably not. This year the world is shrouded in economic gloom. Certainties so long taken for granted exist no more. Poverty and climate change vie for attention in our fears . The future, always uncertain, seems even more so. Time then to identify something comforting, constant, dependable, non threatening, useful, aesthetically pleasing; something that evokes feelings of peace and tranquillity in a world of turmoil. Sheep.

The sheep is one of humankind’s best friends. A dog may be a “four legged friend, faithful right up to the end”, but a sheep is so much more. A dog may be useful to help round up sheep of course, but you can’t eat it or wear it. For thousands of years sheep have served the needs of people around the globe in hot climes and in cold. They can make good pets and failing that they are delicious and warm.
Sheep don’t bite. They don’t hunt. They may complain, but in a soothing way. They are compliant. Unlike cats they can be herded.
Sheep don’t eat cooked food. They are happy with grass which they convert into meat. They can be used to trim lawns as Theodore Roosevelt demonstrated at the White House. They trim hills where use of mowers is unrealistic.
Sheep are versatile. They can be milked, and even cloned (r.i.p. Dolly).
Sheep improve views. Imagine valleys and dales without them. What would a gaze be without a graze. They are a pastoral must have.
Sheep have marvellous peripheral vision and can almost see what’s behind them. This is an important defence mechanism.
Sheep will follow a leader, if they can find one, unlike humans.
Sheep are sensible. They don’t worry, but they can be worried. They keep their feet on the ground. They are well grounded.
The sheep’s contribution to literature is incalculable. They are a crucial element in proverbs and witticisms. “Mutton dressed up as lamb.” “May as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb”. “A wolf in sheep’s clothing”, and vice versa. “Woolly thinking”. “Like a lamb to the slaughter”. They also provide literary heroes –“Shaun of the Sheep”, “Larry the Lamb”.
The sheep’s contribution to religion is significant. Where would the “Good Shepherd” be without the flock?
Sheep keep lonely hill walkers company.
In sufficient numbers they help insomniacs.
Prior to the industrial revolution sheep afforded one of the few job opportunities available.
In medieval times sheep were the basis of wealth. The term “golden fleece” is relevant historically as well as mythologically.

Concluding the case for sheep:
Considering all the evidence, the choice of “sheep” seems compelling, conclusive and, in retrospect, inevitable. In this time of anxiety let us remember the word festival implies celebration and fun. What better theme to inspire than the “Sheep” symbol of peace, prosperity, and of course versatility.

Bolero's wine bar was the setting for a gig performed by "the Scarlets" who entertained with a range of music from bubble gum pop to atmospheric blues. Much of the work was written by the band and established followers and newcomers alike were impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm of the performance. Comments on the night included "She has a great bluesy voice"; "the band play tightly and with conviction"; "impressive". A good night was had by all and we look forward to hearing the band again during the summer festival.

Those lucky enough to attend "A winter's eve of music", performed by "the Sunnyside Brass Quintet" at Llanhennock village hall on a cold and chill evening on the 9th December, were rewarded by a performance rich in quality and variety. The Quintet was simply excellent; the choice of music inspired; and the venue cosy with a real fire and mince pies that made for a convivial evening. Quotes from the audience speak volumes: "I had no idea a brass quintet could perform music of such range and subtlety"; "stunning"; "the repertoire was inspired"; "uplifting".

When Czech sculptor Martina Netikova was invited to take part in the International Sculpture Symposium at the 2007 Caerleon Arts Festival, she chose the famous Newport Ship as her subject. It was to become one of the most popular pieces of work to emerge from the Festival in recent years.

Her oak sculpture depicts an Usk river nymph holding a model of the medieval ship, and after a search for a suitable site it has now found a home in the centre of Caerleon. It was put in place over the weekend in the front garden of Radford House, a five star guest house which won a "Best in Wales" AA award in 2007. The house is owned by Festival sponsors Barbara and David Gilfillan. Barbara and David, appropriately, have also been involved with the Newport shipping scene since the 1970's, through their family firm of WE Dowds(Shipping) Ltd.

"We're really delighted to give Martina's ship a home,"said David."It has only been in place a few hours and it's amazing how many people have already stopped to have a look at it."

Representatives from Friends of the Newport Ship also attended the siting and local historian Bob Trett, a former curator of Newport Museum who was closely involved in the saving of the original ship remains, was pleased to see the sculpture in the grounds of the recently restored Georgian house. "I think it is a very good setting and looks really good there," he said. The Friends of Newport Ship purchased a maquette of the sculpture last year which is now in Newport Museum.

Another product of the 2007 Festival , "The Fish" by Bulgarian artist Rumen Dimitrov, has also been found a new site at the Magor Marsh nature reserve. The managers of the reserve - the Gwent Wildlife Trust - describe it as "the last remnant of fenland on the Gwent levels and a site of special scientific interest".The three fish figures take pride of place near the visitor centre.

Caerleon Arts Festival chair Tim Davidson said, "It's always difficult to find the right setting for sculptures either in Caerleon or elsewhere, but I am really pleased that the Wildlife Trust agreed to take Rumen's fish. It is a wonderful natural setting and I think the reserve and the sculptures help to enhance each other."

Phil Wall's Jazz Cardinals, one of the best known classical jazz bands in the area, played to a packed house at the White Hart on Sunday October 26th when they helped us raise funds for next year's festival. They're based on Freddy Keppard's Jazz Cardinals who introduced New Orleans jazz to Chicago in the 1920's but left very few recordings. Everybody agreed it was a great evening and a great tribute to the pioneers of the original jazz era. The White Hart was certainly the place to be on an otherwise bleak and wintry Sunday evening in Caerleon.

Contents (please click on the month below)

Caerleon Arts Festival has become an annual highlight in South Wales for those who love the arts. Over the past five years the festival has developed from its origin as a Sculpture Symposium into a broad spectrum arts event incorporating music, visual arts, drama, dance, poetry, film and more.