Welcome To The Garw Carnival 2008 Website

After the success of last years carnival, can we go one better?
This years theme is Myths and Legends, with a particular emphasis on The Mabinogion (Welsh Folk Tales). Find out more information on The Mabinogion by clicking here.

The Procession

The procession will leave Thompson Technik (Tanks and Drums Factory) at midday on Saturday 23rd August and make it’s way up to the events field situated adjacent to Calon Lan Park, opposite Gwendoline Street, Blaengarw. This will be the main site for Carnival events and also the site of the rural fair.

Come and get involved!

Carnival costume making workshops are now taking place every day, Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm at Blaengarw Workmen’s Hall. Come and join designers The Ugly Sisters and our friendly team for some fun packed Carnival preparation. Whether you have a costume idea you want to bring to life or you’re completely clueless, we can help! You don’t need to be able to sew or have any special skills. Entry is FREE, although we ask that children are accompanied by an adult.

In keeping with the theme of The Mabinogion, we need people to dress as:

Mermaids

Dragons

Goddesses

Horned Gods

Flower Goddesses

Members of King Arthur’s army

Members of Owain Glyndwr’s army

Please note: there is plenty to do even if you don’t want to make costumes!

Craig Barber Memorial Trust

The Craig Barber Memorial Trust are holding fund raising events for the Help For Heroes Campaign. These events will include a Tombola and a Duck Race being held on the following sunday. Please get in invloved and help raise as much funds as possible for this extremely worthy cause.

Cheerleading

Cheerleading sessions take place every Wednesday from 23rd July 11am-12pm at Richard Price Centre (Llangeinor, Pontrhyl and Lluest residents) 1pm-2pm at Blaengarw Workmen’s Hall (Pontycymer and Blaengarw residents) All ages and abilities welcome! Perform at the Carnival!

We are also on the lookout for drummers and stilt-walkers! Fancy having a go? Get in touch!

We also need people to volunteer as stewards and programme sellers.

You will receive time credits for your time and we will be offering shifts of 2 hours so you don’t need to commit to all day if you don’t want to.
For more information please call Creation on 01656 871911

The Theme – The Mabinogion

The Mabinogion is a collection of prose stories from medieval Welsh manuscripts. The fantastical tales that make up The Mabinogion are jewels of medieval storytelling, the heart of Wales's folklore, and an unsurpassed source of Celtic mythology.

The Mabinogion has been widely influential, giving rise to timeless literary figures such as Arthur and Merlin...

If you want to know more look them up on the internet and be sure to purchase a Carnival Commemorative Programme (priced just £2) on the day.

Upcoming Events and News

Second night of entertainment confirmed!

Let us introduce to you ‘The Hills Have Eyes’, our new music festival!!! See the 2008 Programme page for details.

Garw’s Got Talent

The heats for this year’s Garw’s Got Talent competition – the Carnival’s own search for a star - took place over two nights in July. A roaring success which attracted huge crowds, the heats saw a wide range of performances including singers, dancers and a hilarious dog display! The winners who get to perform on the Carnival’s main stage on Saturday 23rd August are Divalicious (Sophie and Kelsie), Ryan Clatworthy, Jayson Welsh and Urban Feet (Greg Sage). The overall winner as judged by the crowds on the big day will win £50 and 50 Time Credits. Come along and show your support and be prepared to be entertained!

Carnival Launch Night – Thursday 31st July

We would like to thank everyone that came to our fundraiser on 31st July and particularly Huw Marshall for his wonderful Mabinogion storytelling session. Huw gave up his time free of charge and did a tremendous job of spreading the word of the Mabinogion so Huw, we salute you! A big hand as well to Miss Thomas of Blaengarw Primary School whose class members were impressively clued up on the subject!