FESTIVAL - Final preparations are underway for the first Skenfrith Festival, on July 16, from 1pm until evening. Formerly known as Skenfrith FunDay, the event has grown into a highly successful full day of fun and entertainment for the whole family and raises important funds to help run the village hall for the benefit of the whole community. Once again it will be held in and around Skenfrith Castle on the banks of the River Monnow.

The festival will feature arena displays from the Sealed Knot, the Paws for Thought dog display team and Black Mountain falconry. There will be traditional fun and games alongside a dog show (from midday), craft and plant stalls. And of course Skenfrith’s famous duck egg race!

The festival incorporates a festival of real ale, sponsored again by Kingstone Brewery, selling the best local and regional beers, along with cider, wine and soft drinks. There will be an all day barbecue, with a hog roast and many other food stalls, including vegetarian food, ice creams, fresh pancakes and teas and cakes. Visitors will be entertained by live entertainment all day, including Big Band, rock and folk music bands, Border Morris from the Widders, with the famous Pendyrus Male Voice Choir performing during the evening.

There is no charge for entry to the festival, and special commemorative festival of ale glasses can be bought for just £5, which includes one free pint of ale.

Skenfrith is on the B4521 about six miles north of Monmouth. For more details see www.skenfrithfestival.co.uk.