Five-day women’s festival promises to offer ‘safe space’
CARMARTHENSHIRE will host a five-day women’s festival at end of August.
The Skyline Summer Festival will be based at the Skyline Villa, in the village of Llannon, between Cross Hands and Llanelli.
Across the five days, the event will be about all women, to include the LGBTQIA+ community and raising awareness of a safe space that has been created for them.
Organisers said the venue is somewhere women can gather and offers with modern and comforting decor, outstanding facilities to relax and enjoy.
Accommodation includes deluxe bedrooms, fire pits, hot tub and a bell tent.
The festival will include wellness and relaxation, guided walks, stargazing nights, psychic medium readings, African drumming workshops and more.
Among the highlights will be award-winning comedian Rosie Wilby who will discuss the psychology of attraction and heartbreak.
Paddlesports instructor Michelle Hughes fresh from a water safety role at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham will be giving advice on staying safe around water.
Qualified hill and moorland leader Gaynor Rees will be guiding walks.
Live music will be provided by Marieke Vink.
Organisers Allyson Vowles and Pippa Wafflart said they are looking forward to the festival.
Allyson said: “It may not be obvious to many, but for years and even to this day, LGBTQIA+ Women are very much a forgotten group, with many bars and other facilities for heterosexuals and dedicated streets to gay men’s bars and saunas in cities such as London Soho, Old Compton Street and Bristol, Old Market Street, there is very little for lesbian, bi, transgender and all others who identify as women.
“I personally have experienced this and have had to just accept what is, however, I don’t think I should have too anymore, ask yourself, why are LGBTQI+ women venues failing? Often, the venue itself isn’t suited to women.
“Therefore, Skyline Villa was created, as a safe space for LGBTQIA+ women and allies to attend events, activities, networking, and friendship building as well as many other options that aren’t massively available, such as small venue weddings, training rooms, and self-development holiday retreats, to name a few.”
“Due to the excellent response to our festival and the suggestions made by those, we are now working around the clock to create an event calendar for 2023 and beyond with many activities based on what women want.” Pippa said: “After volunteering at the Out and Wild Festival I met Allyson, we shared the same vision that there needs to be many more events held for all women.
“I came out back in 2008, and at the time there were several bars and clubs available in Swansea and Cardiff too.
“But as time has moved on, and gay women are becoming more accepted in the community, I feel that hospitality wise things have gone backwards.
“Yes, there are more ‘friendly’ bars available but sometimes you just want to be comfortable amongst your own, in a safe space to be you.
“This is why we feel that events like we are creating, we will be much welcomed amongst all women in particular LGBTQIA+ community.”
Skyline Villa, named due to the impressive outlook across the meadow and hills, has been created to meet all the needs of what women are looking for, where they can feel comfortable to visit alone, based on the fact it is hosted by women and to meet others to share common interests through events and activities These include pamper days, relaxing retreats, self-development courses with trained therapists, outdoor activities such as walking, wild swimming, and much more.
Prices range from £249 to £499 all-inclusive of accommodation, food, and activities For tickets and information visit the website at www.skylinevilla.co.uk