Written by Charlie Ryrie from Hay-on-Wye:
"Everyone who lives around Hay knows that the Hay Festival - although many people greatly enjoy and welcome it - doesn't contribute greatly to the lives of the greater majority of residents in and around Hay so a new community event is being developed to reinvigorate the town in the autumn.
A new non-profit organisation, the Department of Enjoyment.org, has been formed specially to provide community events for the Hay and local borders area - events that will benefit and involve people who live here all the year round, as well as attracting people from outside to come and join us and enjoy what Hay has to offer.
The first project, Borders Belief, is being developed this autumn 2006 to provide a series of exhibitions and workshops involving local people of all ages - from storytelling, conservation, local history, and documentary-making skills to lantern- making and dance workshops - to culminate in an event on Saturday 28 October with theatre, music and fire - a renewed version of the popular Hay on Fire event that ran successfully during much of the 1990s.
Workshops will be devised and led by professionals for schools, local community groups, younger and older residents, so the whole community can have fun and possibly learn new skills as well as learning more about the history of our local area.
We want everyone to get involved, and are applying for funding to make this a sustainable community event that really does provide opportunities for people who live around here. We want to celebrate the border nature of our town and surrounding area, and celebrate what it means and has meant to live on the borders.
Please support this event. If you have a special skill or area of knowledge that you'd like to share, let us know. If you've a particular fascination and knowledge of local history, landscape or literature, get in touch. If you would like to be involved in running the final event, let us know. If you'd like to help with general organisation, let us know.
If you're local, it's your event, and we hope it will be the trigger to start lots of other community events going.
Email charliewrite@clara.net for more information."
Written by Charlie Ryrie from Hay-on-Wye
your comments
Rita Tait from the Bronydd
magical evening. wanted it to go on for ever. our visitors came from IOW & Snowdonia & the people behind us on the Warren path were up from Fishguard.
Sun Nov 5 12:20:41 2006
John from Samba Tawe
On behalf of Samba Tawe thanks to the organisers of Hay On Fire for inviting us and thanks to everyone who turned out. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the event. Already looking forward to next year's - just hope we get an invite !
Wed Nov 1 09:07:24 2006
Kerry (The Hat) Davies, Hay
Thank all you fine people from all over the UK for coming and making our little event an astounding success. As good as in the past, great workshops, great performers and a super new junk percussion group.
Mon Oct 30 09:17:09 2006
Abi Bunker, recently returned from Africa
So is it happening? where can I find out about specific events, locations and times?
Thu Oct 26 12:01:37 2006
Geraldine Lambert, Hayling Island
As a frequent visitor to members of your community, we are really looking forward to meeting up with friends from Hay, Crick and Hereford to have frollicks and fun at Hay on Fire. It will light up Samhain.
Thu Oct 12 16:49:15 2006
Rhiannon Chaffer, Bristol
I loved Hay on Fire! Was so sad when it was stopped. The procession, the displays and the music were all magical. I can't wait for it's return!
Fri May 26 12:12:47 2006
Jim Jones - Hay On Wye
Hay-on-Fire back after all these years? Great. It has got to have been the most spectacular event in Wales. Thanks to everyone working on this. I can't wait.........
Jim
Fri Feb 24 19:47:40 2006
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