It was 19 July 2014 and early evening. Hawarden Park, flanked by castles ancient and modern, was set for a rare extravagaza! Performances by a live symphony Orchestra and a sucession of spirited pop-groups and various school choirs, were enthusing the crowd. The field quickly became an animated campus of groups of friends and their easy-chairs, gazeebos and picnic tables. And all with enough food and drink to sustain an army of good-natured, fun-loving music-lovers for the duration.

Between stage events, age-difference and musical preference were cast aside. Banter, friendly rivalry and laughter danced in the air. And then the rain came down -and made not a spot of difference! This was Gogledd Cymru at it's finest -and a summer joy beyond Glastonbury!

Sporting the tiny compact camera -that is my constant companion -never more than a coat-pocket away from local action- I wandered across, increasingly soggy pasture, in the direction of a particularly exuberant cluster. And encountered a lovely bunch of overseas vistors...

JB

Technical:
Camera: Panasonic "Compact" TZ40
Editing: Adobe Premiere Elements v14
Devised and produced by John Butler
First published 8 October 2024 ©