CANCELLED: Friendship Tree at Christmas Festival

Glamorgan Star news 16/12/2022

2 minutes read

Organisers say the festival has been cancelled.

CANCELLED: Friendship Tree at Christmas Festival – By MARCUS STEAD

Organisers of The Friendship Tree at Christmas Festival, which was due to be staged at The Knap Lake and Gardens this coming Sunday (18th December) have been forced to cancel the event.

Heavy rain has been forecast, along with a yellow weather warning of ice, and Steve David, one of the musicians who was due to perform, as well as being the ‘sound man’ for the rest of the event, has been taken to hospital to have a pacemaker fitted.

The combined problems and safety issues have reluctantly led organisers Art4u to cancel the free festive celebration.

A small, alternative gathering has been hastily arranged for Saturday 17th December at 4pm where the grand lights switch-on will take place.

Visitors will be able to see the willow archway constructed by Rob Tilley at the entrance to the park and trees will be lit up to show their winter beauty.

The attractions will remain in place throughout the Christmas and New Year period, and people are welcome to take photographs and leave messages of peace and hope on the trees, though organisers ask that visitors please be mindful when attaching them.

Members of the public are also invited to gather at the entrance to the park next Wednesday (21st December) at 4pm to celebrate the festival of Yule, marking the shortest day of the year.

Sunday’s cancelled event was due to feature live performances from Bettie J Williams, Hank Hillman, the Porthkerry Community Choir, rising country music star Caitlin Mae and other talented musicians, along with arts and crafts stalls.

This is the second time Art4u has been forced to cancel a public event in Barry at short notice. In September, the annual Friendship Tree Festival in Victoria Park, Cadoxton was cancelled because the Vale Council ruled that it fell within the official mourning period following the Queen’s death, and the Christmas Festival at The Knap was organised in part to compensate for the loss of the autumn event.

Glyn Pooley of Art4u said: “We at Art4U apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you, particularly all the participants who were so looking forward to sharing their talents.

“However the message of sharing Peace and Friendship is an uplifting one for this festive period and the New Year.

“We wish Steve David a speedy recovery, and look forward to welcoming people on Saturday at 4pm for our grand lights switch on before the rain arrives, and everyone is also welcome next Wednesday at 4pm for the Yule gathering.”