Gwyl Pibgyrn Pontsticill - pibfest.com

Over the Midsummer weekend of 22-24 June, at the beautiful village of Pontsticill in the Brecon Beacons, there will be the largest gathering of pibgorn players, makers and academics for two hundred years. The weekend, organised by Bagad Pibau Morgannwg, will be packed with concerts, a twmpath, workshops, dance displays, makers’ stalls, free lectures and demonstrations. The line-up includes outstan

ding performers from Wales, the Basque region and England, with special new collaborations just for the occasion. Performers include Patrick Rimes and Angharad Jenkins (Calan), Stephen Rees and Andy Mclauchlin (Crasdant), Ceri Rhys Matthews (Fernhill), a rare appearance by Jonathan Shorland, the founder of the modern pibgorn making revival, performing with hurdy gurdy player Steve Tyler, and Antwn Owen Hicks, Gafin Morgan, Gerard KilBride (Bagad Pibau Morgannwg/ Taran) with special guest Chris Allen (local hurdy gurdy maker). The Bethlehem Village Band will be leading the Twmpath on Saturday night and the José Antonio Martínez Oses Trio are travelling from the Spanish Basque region especially for the Festival, playing incredible traditional music on the alboka, a close cousin of the Pibgorn. Throughout Saturday, there will be Dance Displays by Dawnswyr Nantgarw, music workshops, free lectures By Robert Evans and Emyr Davies (St Fagans: National History Museum), reed making and horn carving demonstrations and sessions in the local pubs. More information and ticket details can be seen at www.pibfest.com. It’s strongly advised to book early for this incredibly rare, special event.