VISITORS to Bank Holiday Monday’s Lammas Fair at Llangattock Lingoed enjoyed a day of history brought to life as wandering minstrels, a relic seller, medieval archers and a Cistercian monk wrought their colourful magic amidst glorious sunshine entertaining young and old alike – including Monmouth MP David Davies.

The event, organised by The Village Alive Trust charity in conjunction with Llangattock Lingoed Parochial Church Council and the Hunter’s Moon Inn was centred on St Cadoc’s Church. An authentic tented encampment was staged by North Wales enactment group, Samhain; actors from Chance Encounters entertained with medieval games and cookery and wandering minstrels Di and Murray Esplin lent suitable musical accompaniment with the hurdy gurdy and other authentic instruments.

There were displays of coracle making and hurdle making by Wyndham and Denzil Morgan and net-making by Ed Baylis . Barbara Savager enthralled with the intricate art of lace-making;Olwen Veevers demonstrated spinning and Paul Ball rebuilt part of the churchyard boundary in dry stone walling. Bodger Simon Greenfield demonstrated wood turning and the Jupp family enlightened on bee-keeping and honey.

Talks, including the history of St Cadoc’s Church by Rev Dr Jean Prosser and the Cistercian Pilgrimage in the Third Millennium by Dr Maddy Grey were well-attended with an enactment of Phillip Morgan’s Medieval Farming Year attracting a capacity audience. Other attractions included homemade teas, cider tasting, calligraphy and pot-making. There were also craft and herb stalls, a lucky dip and children’s art competition and the fun spread throughout the village with a real ale festival, hog roast and bouncy castle at the adjacent Hunter’s Moon Inn.

Village Alive Trust chairman, Pat Griffiths, said, “The Lammas Fair was part of a two day festival which included a 1662 union service and concert with Beaufort Male Choir. The aim was to encourage local tourism, promote heritage and provide a social event for the community in line with the Village Alive Project which has been granted EU grant-aid for regenerating areas affected by foot and mouth disease.

“St Cadoc’s Church members were able to fund-raise in support of the recent renovation of the ancient church and local people and visitors from as far afield as America and France enjoyed a relaxed and interesting day peppered with heritage, crafts and unusual activities. The Trust thanks everyone who attended or helped stage the event, including Alun Griffiths civil engineers; the Art Shop; Cross Ash Hall committee; exhibitors; Gwatkins Cider and local volunteers.”

The Village Alive Project has been part financed by the Welsh Assembly Government and managed by the Welsh Development Agency and the Adventa Local Action Group through the Article 33 Rural Development Programme for Wales. Also supported by the Manifold Trust, The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, Grosmont CC . Abergavenny Farm Holidays Association and local people.