Festival is a hidden gem near Bridgend’s famous sand dunes

'30 different musical acts as well as a special feature performance'

Glamorgan Star news 16/07/2022

3 minutes read

Festival is a hidden gem near Bridgend’s famous sand dunes

In recent years, a special festival experience has been quietly establishing itself in woodland near the famous sand dunes at Merthyr Mawr, near Bridgend.

Some local people know it well, while so many others simply have no idea that it is taking place.

**The venue has a great night-time atmosphere.**

The festival (26th to 28th August) is known as Between The Trees and is all about reconnecting people with Nature. It blends world class contemporary and indie folk music with nature talks, creativity and spoken word. From small beginnings, the festival is now in its six year and has been recognised by Visit Wales as one of the best alternative events in Wales for ‘cool culture’.

The festival is close to Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve, which also happens to be one of Wales’ Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Uniquely, festival-goers get the opportunity to pitch their tents under the forest canopy, listen to talks and experience a diverse range of workshops such as watercolour painting, pottery, bushcraft skills, willow weaving, metal work and wood-carving.

**There is a great family feeling to Between the Trees.**

The nature talks and workshops are the USP of the event and take place in the ‘Niche’ tent which is sponsored by the British Ecological Society (BES). There will be presentations from Welsh universities, RSPB, Natur Am Byth, The Woodland Trust, Speckled Wood Wildlife, Initiative for Conservation Cymru (INCC) and many others.

There will also be talks about local historical and cultural interest. Local musician, Gareth Davies (Songfisher) will be relating regional tales from the land such as the ‘Maid of Sker and the ‘ghost of the Goblet Stone’ and writer, Phil Cope will be telling us all about his recent discoveries at Margam in ‘I dig Margam’.

**Festival visitors can enjoy a walk in the woods.**

On Saturday there is a Welsh fairy tales, myths and legends theme with storytelling from Dan Mitchell and readings from author, Claire Fayers. There will also be a hidden area called ‘Y Nyth’ run by community groups such as ‘Stronger Together Bridgend’ and ‘Lads and Dads’, who will sharing and discussing experiences relating to health and wellbeing, building community and how best to nurture our connections with each other and nature.

Organiser Andrew Thomas said: “Children are more than welcome and it’s lovely to see them transform as they enter the festival forest site. We have next to no phone signal or internet and so children (and adults) instantly connect to the natural woodland that surrounds them. There is a dedicated creative area, where children can play, explore their creative side, make fairy wings and crowns or go wild on the ‘slip ‘n slide.

“We pride ourselves in supporting local businesses, producers and artisans. Our food providers include The Greedy Pig, The Bearded Taco and Fresh Rootz who serve up a variety of wholesome vegan, vegetarian and meat options and if you want something sweet for later, we have amazing deserts from Pwdin and awarding-winning vegan ice cream from Ice Green.

“This year we are taking the bar offering to a different level. We are working with Gareth Roberts, owner of The Little Pen-y-bont Arms and Rob Lilford, of Tomos a Lilford Brewery, Llandow, to deliver over 18 different cask ales, together with a range of locally produced ciders from Gwynt-Y-Draig and Llanblethian Cider.

“What better way to start the August bank holiday weekend than to pitch up at Between The Trees, head to the Forest real ale and cider bar and then relax in the acoustic tent listening to local Bridgend musician, John Nicholas, who is opening this year’s event.

“Over the weekend there will be over 30 different musical acts as well as a special feature performance of Dream (a contemporary interpretation of ‘a mid-summer nights dream’), scheduled at dusk, under an up lit forest canopy, by the internationally recognised dance company Ballet Cymru. It’s going to be magical!”