It hardly seems possible that a year has gone by since last year’s successful Crickhowell Walking Festival. This year the Festival celebrates its 6th year with 88 walks and an exciting programme of events set to take place.
By now, many of the walks are already full, but last minute bookings may still be available, so be sure to use the contact details at the bottom of the page to find out more. Even if walks are booked up, don’t let this deter you from getting over to Crickhowell as there are some great events taking place every day throughout the festival to keep the town alive and buzzing. If you can’t get a spot on a guided walk, why not download one of the Abergaveny Focus’s walks online. There are some great ones available in the Crickhowell and Black Mountain area.
Every evening during the festival there will be something taking place to entertain weary walkers and local visitors, including quizzes or talks on local and national topics. The keynote speaker this year is John Blashford-Snell, the veteran explorer and leader, who will talk about his life of exploration – which is still going strong! He has been exploring and leading parties to remote parts of the world since 1968, when he was invited by the Emperor Haille Selassie of Ethiopia to lead an expedition down the Blue Nile. Since then he has led over 100 expeditions and in his talk he will be giving an overview of his eventful life. Hear him in the Clarence Hall on 2nd March.
Alternatively you could meet Mike Parker, an Englishman happily settled in Montgomeryshire, fluent in Welsh and with a real love for the country and, above all maps. His books include, The Map Addict and Real Powys. His talk will be lively, funny and controversial! It is at the Old Rectory Hotel, Llangattock on Thursday 6th March.
On Saturday 9th March, Crickhowell will play host to an artisan market at the Courtyard, Crickhowell from 10.30am-3pm. Here visitors can browse stalls filled with local artisan produce and crafts and to take home a wonderful memory of Crickhowell.
Finally, the Festival will be brought to a joyful close with a concert from Wales’ premier swing/jazz band – the Keith Little Band – in the Clarence Hall on Saturday 9th March.
The full Festival programme is available on the Festival website www.crickhowellestival.com, or you can pick up printed programmes from Tourist Information Centres in Crickhowell, Brecon, Libanus, Abergavenny and Hay. Booking is best done on the website, where you can pay by credit card or send a cheque, or telephone bookings are taken at CRiC, 01873 811970.
Abergavenny Focus walks can be viewed and printed online at www.focusmagazinesltd.co.uk/walks
