Lack of helping hands makes future of festival uncertain
DESPITE having had a successful event in November, the long-term future of Llandeilo’s Festival of Senses is uncertain due to a lack of helping hands to stage it again.
Traditionally the three-day festival is held in November and marks the start of the Christmas period, with food stalls, crafts, street entertainment and more.
However, its future is in doubt with the festival committee admitting it will struggle to put on a festival in 2023 without new helpers.
Festival chair Debbie Ince said: “With the festival growing in size, we urgently need more people on the committee.
“Mostly we need fundraising and marketing officers.
“These roles have been vacant since 2019 and other committee members had to fill in on top of their own workload.
“That isn’t sustainable and they’re not willing to do this again.”
Outgoing chair Christoph Fischer added: “We need new enthusiastic people who bring in a fresh pair of eyes and innovative ideas.
“After five years at the helm there is a danger of becoming stale and complacent and not giving it your all.
“I’ll remain on the committee to support whoever is coming after me, but I will step down at the AGM.”
The festival’s treasurer, John Meredith Williams, said: “Fundraising and business liaison is important now that costs are going up.
“We gave businesses a break from the pledges system by digging into our savings, but we will need more sponsorship and support in 2023 to run the festival.
“It takes commitment to come on board but it is absolutely worth the while when you see the children smile on Friday night and the shops rammed with customers.”
The festival committee will hold its AGM on Wednesday, January 18, at 7pm in the White Hart pub, Llandeilo, and is hoping for support from business owners and volunteers to keep the festival going.