your comments
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We try to publish as many comments as we can but unfortunately, due to the volume of comments we receive every day, we cannot guarantee that all comments submitted will be published
Angela Thomas-Shephard
I've been trying to find any info on Llandrindod going back to 1790 but I can't seem to find much info on what was there ,what work ,homes and churches as i am tracing my family tree (not very well i might add ) and would love some help . if you can suggest any sites to help me trace my richard thomas side thanks angela
Sun Aug 31 22:38:02 2008
Susan, Wrexham
We used to make the Victorian Festival our main holiday. As a family of four adults we spent (typically) £1500+ in the town during the 9 days of the festival - accommodation, meals, takeaways, drinks in pubs & hotels, tickets for festival events and LOCAL shopping. The attitude displayed by some of the locals (as you can read here) has really finished off my enthusiasm for the festival. Can anyone tell me WHY I should bother to pile my money into YOUR local economy when so many of you display a seething resentment for the festival and (clearly) those who have enjoyed its entertainments %2! 8as an antidote to otherwise high pressured modern lives)? I would never have visited your town otherwise, much less spent any money in your local economy. Do you want the cash injection into the local economy brought by tourism or don't you? Time to make up your minds!
Wed Aug 27 09:25:14 2008
Gethin Roberts
Ann Price has written a good letter expressing how most Llandrindod people really feel about the dreaded victorian festival is spot on I think. I like the idea of making the festival into a long weekend, get it over and done with!
Fri Jul 4 09:24:26 2008
Pat Llandrindod
Street entertainment listed on the victorian festival's web site, is the same and has been the same for many many years. It has got the point of being repetitive, boring, irritating and annoying. I used to love to watch street the entertainers, but I have seen these acts so many times I dread going into town.I am sure many people feel as I do, and would love to help and join in if only they too could get some pleasure and happiness from doing so. They see it as boring so make it fun for them to, and you will see the result. i.e. the bad comments from the local people on this si! te. Please think about getting in some new street acts for next years festival
Thu Jun 26 13:20:39 2008
Louise, Cambridge
After reading some of the comments I have to wonder if these people really take it seriously or just want to have a moan. I admit that it is not for everyone but for those of us who love the Victorian period it is an absolute must for the year. I have only been to the festival twice and now looking forward to my third year. I have to say that the committee are not given enough credit for what they have tried to achieve. Yes last year they had a lot against them, the rain and then not allowing to put marquees on the grass because it was dangerous, but this was by no way the committees fault and no one seems to realise this. My friends and I look forward to it and start preparing our costumes in January for it. I find it really hard to believe when people say there is nothing to do or there is nothing on, have these people ever picked up a programme? If they had they would have seen that there is so much on that it is hard to fit everything in, we even have to miss some events so we can attend others. By the end of last year’s event I was exhausted because I had done so much. Before people rubbish this great event I suggest that they actually bother to look at what is going on, it is not always in the street but in the various hotels or in the halls.
Fri Jun 13 09:18:38 2008
Louise, Cambridge
Part 2: What has been published on the website for this year is just some of the things happening and I am looking forward to receiving my programme to see what else is on. I make this my annual holiday and I will for as long as it continues. I have made some really good friends through this event and I thank everyone involved for making it such a fantastic and enjoyable week.
Fri Jun 13 09:17:34 2008
Jack Brown and family, Portsmouth
Having viewed the web site for the Victorian festival, it's hardly changed in its program of events or street entertainers for many years. As a regular visitor who comes to Llandrindod Wells for the festival. I and my family have sadly decided to give it a miss. With no change to the festival program, fuel prices continuing to rise, credit crunch, house prices, I predict visitors numbers will down on for the 2008 Victorian festival. Regular visitors will try other places for their holidays as our family has this year. Our family have attended five festivals and enjoyed every one, but now think there is need for a change.
Wed Jun 4 14:50:07 2008
Tom Crooks, Belfast
I was in Llandrindod during the 2007 festival, and thought it quite amazing. The fireworks display on sunday night was the most startling display my wife and two young grandchildren have ever seen. We hope to be back this year god spares. To all concerned in making it such a huge sucess thank you one and all.T
Mon Jun 2 09:10:41 2008
Ifor Gimson , Llandrindod Wells
Llandrindod Wells and the area around is possibly one of the most beautiful places in the U K, and I really do enjoy the Victorian Festival, but perhaps some of the criticism and comments should be taken seriously e.g. Ann Prices' idea about making it a long weekend sounds very reasonable, or even two long weekends as that is when the festival is at it's best, I have heard many locals say the same. A lot of hard work and effort is put in by the festival commitee which in my opinion they don't get enough credit for thier work. well done to all on the commitee, if the weather is good the entertainment is most enjoyable, I believe it is well worth the expense that some people are complaining about, above all it certainly is not boring, if anyone finds it be they would possibly be very boring people anyway, no-one is forcing them to be there, are they?I Gimson.
Mon May 26 21:25:35 2008
Tony Begg Wellington
I can not understand why people say the Victorian festival in Llandindod Wells is good entertainment? Having taken my family to the festival several times we left Llandrindod Wells very disappointed the festival is so hyped up. I now pass through Llandrindod Wells regularly on business some times stopping off for a bite to eat, some have coincided with the Victorian festival. The street entertainment has not changed one bit, the same people doing the same acts, just as remember it from my family's previous visitsTry to add a little more variety to the weeks entertainment, people who visit the festival regularly don't want to see the same old entertainers year upon year. There are many good street entertainers in this country to choose from why the need to use the same ones?
Mon Apr 14 15:42:00 2008
Resident
Time for a change now everything old habits good for the town to host an event but please think of somtething new...
Thu Mar 13 12:36:09 2008
Nikki Bloomer, Buckinghamshire
My parents live in Llandod, and my younger daughter and I return year after year for the Festival. I'm really annoyed by the know-it-alls who think the Festival is only for retired people. For the record, I'm 42 and my daughter is 14, and when you see us in corsets and glamorous, low-cut ballgowns you wouldn't consign either of us to the scrapheap!Like all things, the Festival is what you make of it.We brush up on our History, make our own costumes, laugh as we lace up the corsets, join in all the dances (especially the ones we don't know!), read out excerpts to one another from books of the time period, try out Victorian recipes and Victorian hairstyles with hilarious results, visit the exhibitions and sign up for the talks. The more you take part in it, the more you actually enjoy the Festival. It has the added benefit of making my daughter the most able pupil in History at her school - when they did the Suffragettes, Beth was able to quote from the WSPU and identify their colours of green, white and purple! Don't moan about the Festival - it brings lots of much-needed cash back into the town, and if you actually join in it can be good fun too.
Thu Mar 6 16:48:52 2008
Hopkins Staffordshire
It seems such a shame that people wish to add such negative comments about the festival. We have taken our 2 children for the last 5 years, we all enjoy the events and kind comments that are made to the children when dressed in costume. We have made many friends, and love to watch the Buttered Muffins in action. Some acts may be the same as last year, but still we laugh and applaud their talent. A small contribution to the days entertainment means we have had fun and it has not cost the earth. Perhaps you get out what you put in to an event. We dress in costume, laugh, make friends and have fun with our young children. It is a social event and fun can be had if only one participates in a positive way. If anyone can add a constructive idea to make the event bigger then they should get involved, and help those few who take the time to organise it! I should think local businesses are at their most profitable during that week, with the many visitors that stroll middleton street at their leisure without the annoyance of vehicles up and down.
Sat Oct 20 16:01:58 2007
Jan Williams Llandrindod
I would like to congratulate Buttered Muffins for their hard work during the 2007 Victorian festival.There is no doubt they saved the festival, it would have been a disaster without them! Each year these guys turn up to entertain us with their music, juggling, jokes, and much more. My reason for writing is to say the Victorian festival committee, don't rely on the Buttered Muffins guys good nature and generosity carry you along.As much as I like to see them performing through out the day and evening, I feel it is too much to ask of them to carry you when there is lack of entertainment or there are problems in the programme of entertainment, just let the guys get on with their stage shows at the stated places and times. The affects of carrying the festival this year, was there for all to see, and their own shows suffered because of it Your relying on these guys too much to carry the festival and taking them foror granted! Buttered Muffins have made close friends with many of the towns people over the years, I hope that friendship will continue and Llandrindod will have Norman Haddock and Buttered Muffins for many more years to come.
Wed Oct 10 13:50:43 2007
Jacquie Bennett & Mike Ward (Isle of Wight)
This was our second visit to the Festival. We thoroughly enjoyed the events we attended and hope to come again next year. Thank you to those who organised it. However we can sympathise with the local people about the closure of Middleton Street as events held there did not seem to us to justify it, also reading some other comments on this site about taking your holiday whilst the festival is taking place we do the same - coming from the Isle of Wight we can't stand Cowes Week so avoid it like the plague!
Tue Oct 9 09:15:01 2007
Tommy Jones
I to don't understand why it is necessary to close of Middleton Street during the Victorian festival. There is not enough paring spaces in Llandrindod, to close off Middleton street makes no sense at all. The wife and myself went into Llandrindod we needed to go to the shops in Middleton street and like that lady said on here were stopped from entering the street. The wife is not very good on her legs, and we like to park out side the shops if we can. I could not find any where at all to park, it was hell just driving about the town looking for a parking spaces, in the end we gave up! and went home. Next day we went to Builth to get out shopping. So it must be right the shops in Landidndod loose customers, because of the street being closed off. I will complain to the County Council about Middleton street being closed off and hope others will do the same.
Fri Oct 5 15:19:23 2007
Tom
Can any one tell me what happened to the classic cars that were supposed to be up on the Lake common or around the lake during the Victorian week? I went to see them and there was nothing there? Did they not turn up or what?
Fri Oct 5 12:45:04 2007
Sara Builth Wells
A 1940's night in the 2007 Llandrindod Victorian festival? Evident to all that the committee have run out of ideas. What ever next? Maybe Psychedelic sixties to the Victorian festival? I ask myself!
Wed Sep 26 08:16:31 2007
Frank Mason
It is good to air your views on here about the Victorian festival, but will the self important people listen to what you the town's people are telling them I wonder?
Tue Sep 25 08:50:51 2007
Ethan
I don't like the Victorian week and my sisters don't like it. We live in Llandod and there is nothing to do it is boring.My mum takes us to our nan's when its Victorian week because we hate it so much. At my nans we go to lots of places, it's not boring, lots of things to do.
Sun Sep 23 10:11:52 2007
T. Ellis
The victorian festival is a sinking ship! It was an embarrassment to the town as one person quoted on here, I am one of the locals I cannot wait to see the back of it! It is a show for visitors lets face it most of them retired. Alienating locals for nine days. Many who feel as I do shows how little our councilors think of its towns people . If you are going to have a victorian festival why not make it into a long weekend show? Middleton street should not be closed off this is our main street! Why not have the acts at the band stand why are they in Middleton street in the first place? There is no need for them to be performing in the road, there is plenty of spaces around town they could use for their acts...
Sun Sep 23 10:10:20 2007
Lill Jones
Just a thought as I read through the comments on here .I wonder how many people in Llandrindod Wells support the Victorian festival, or are they in favor of dropping the festival for something new? Maybe the people of the town should have a vote on this very question.
Tue Sep 18 11:29:45 2007
Mark, Llandrindod Wells
Same old stuff each year and this year was no different, those who say there has been a change only need to look at past Victorian programmes, why are you saying its different? Let's face it is boring same old stuff.
Fri Sep 14 09:20:34 2007
Dave and Renee Dowhos Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
We both enjoyed the Victorian Festival for the two days that we were there. The people in costume were a joy to behold and the Buttered Muffins still have us chuckling.We have travelled throughout Europe, worked in Africa with Canadian Exrternal Affairs, have seen much of the U.S. and Canada, but the two days in Landrindod were just as good, if not better, than a lot of events that we have seen in the aforementioned places.Well done Llandrindod! Keep up the tradition.
Fri Sep 14 09:19:02 2007
G.Hughes
It is interesting to see how many comments are not in favour of the victorian festival, nor are they to the liking of the victorian committee, who are trying their very best to hype up this event.Personally I cannot stand the victorian festival and avoid it like the plague, I take my holiday during victorian week and miss it thank goodness. If the locals do not like the festival take your holiday during that week like I do, its wonderful not having to put up with bus loads of old ladies wandering about in front of your car and standing about on the streets, when you're busy trying to get a few things before getting back to work during your lunch break...
Thu Sep 13 16:04:31 2007
Ann Price
I feel its time to make the festival into a long weekend, the festival needs entertainment of a good standard to run for a week, which it simply hasn't got. I come to town during festival week and over the years have noticed a decline in the standard in entertainment, and of its popularity with towns people. The Festival used to have support from shop owners, employees, and towns people who dressed up. Having spoken to several people during this years festival, from shop owners and locals who tell me they have had enough of the victorian festival. Its support from your locals you need for the festival to work, it will soon die a death if you cannot gain their support. Money is tight these days and people look for good holiday breaks for their money, the festival doesn't have what it takes for the families of today, who are looking for much more than Llandrindod victorian festival have got to offer. The festival is aimed to pull in visitors who are of a certain age, that is one reason it will die out. Why don't the councillors and towns people get together and spend as much time, money, and effort on something that the whole town can get involved with and enjoy.
Thu Sep 13 09:04:41 2007
Tom Cummings, Llandod
They should call the Festival (The Buttered Muffins Festival) A dedicated group of guys who kept the week going, Well done to you Buttered Muffins...
Wed Sep 12 08:42:05 2007
Norman Duncan from Berkshire
2007 Victorian weeks programme made a pleasant change over the previous years' festivals. The new committee made up of people who live in the Llandrindod area worked very hard to put on a festival that had some old and some new attractions. Yes they had major problems i.e: not being allowed by the authorities to have the Food Court and the Buttered Muffins marquee and stage on the green because of the soft ground and having to put expensive flooring down in the craft marquee at a late stage. We went to ticketed events every day all of them were enjoyable and well attended. We have been to the last 10 Festivals and this years was certainly one of the best.
Wed Sep 12 08:36:25 2007
Natalia Hurst, Llandrindod
Firstly, are people aware that many of the usual things that visitors have come to recognise such as the big wheel were not allowed due to safety reasons. The bad weather prevented many. The new committe i think, did a good job. I participated in street dancing with stagespirit 4 times during the week and we had a very large audience for our song and dance show at the Albert Hall, the largest we have EVER had so surely something must have gone right. 'you' people moan its the same old stuff and when new things are put on you moan. Just remember llandod is a small town and cannot match festivals held at places such as Cardiff...if you don't like the festival...don't come, simple as!
Tue Sep 11 16:31:33 2007
Viv
Those shop owners and local people, who would like to keep open the main street during Victorian Festival week 2008, can lodge an objection by contacting Powys County Council but do it soon.
Tue Sep 11 09:03:06 2007
Jody, Llandrindod
You have to be retired, or bored out of your skull, to enjoy this type of what you call entertainment of victorian week! Its o.k. for oldies, but what about the rest of us?
Tue Sep 11 08:50:18 2007
Peter & Pauline Goodall, Swansea
Well, what a great festival this year. Yes there were some problems that was only to be expected but at the end of the day we and the public had a great time. As a friend we are looking forward to the next festival which can only be better. Yes some of the street entertainer were missing but with the cost it can be understood as regards the dress and general atmosphere keep up the good work. Let's get together for a Lancers Ball in the near future where we as fiends of the festival can show our support to the hard working committee. Well done to all you have worked hard and no doubt the adverse comments will make you all feel that is was not worth it but I can assure you that the hard work was well worth it we as friends support you.
Tue Sep 11 08:44:29 2007
J. R. Woods (Hull, East Yorkshire)
We would like to congratulate the Committee of the Llandrindod Wells Victorian festival 2007 for a most enjoyable nine days - a real treat. The events were varied, well organised and very good value, and we met and talked to lots of people who had nothing but praise for this wonderful occasion. We can't wait for the next one!
Mon Sep 10 08:10:06 2007
Gina and Graham Cooper (Mid Wales)
We always enjoy the Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival, which is very local to us, and this was certainly one of the best, with a very wide and varied programme of events. It is surprising to us that more favourable comments have not yet been received. We attended events on each day of the Festival, which we thoroughly enjoyed, and the only comments we ever heard were positive. Festivals like these must also bring a lot of revenue to local businesses, and any local people that are against such Festivals must realise that when they go on holiday out of town then they are the "visitors" and perhaps they may not be welcomed by some people? Let us all just get on together and enjoy such things as this wherever they may be.
Mon Sep 10 08:06:59 2007
Alan Evans
Pathetic Victorian festival,no wonder people's letters do not see it in the same light as the festival committee, wake up you lot on the committee it was awful, as one lady said on here embarrassment to the town. If you really think its was a success! then you need a reality check.
Sun Sep 9 15:50:34 2007
Mrs D. Evans
During victorian week went into town to buy some compost and top soil from a shop in Middleton street, we were stopped from entering the street by a lad who said the road was closed off until that evening. On that same day I am told by one of the shop owners. that out of the whole day only one act was on in Middleton Street and it lasted all of 20 mins at the most, how can the council justify the road closure for a whole day? It's just madness. I am sure the shops takings are down during victorian week. They rely on us local customers who use the shops all year a bit of respect would not go amiss. We went to Newtown to buy what we came to Llandrindod for and also did a weeks shopping at the same time, thus Llandrindod shops losing much needed revenue.
Sun Sep 9 15:49:50 2007
Michiel Blees
Come on people, at least make sure your comments are constructive, this site is turning into a Llandrindod slagging off site and most of these comments are factually incorrect.
Fri Sep 7 16:34:16 2007
Alice Roberts, Vancouver
What a dreadful place I never did find, what was supposed to be a festival, just some tents on a green
Fri Sep 7 10:56:56 2007
Pete & Dawn Williams (Barmouth)
Bought the grandchildren this year for the first time, poor festival this year very little going on, we left after only a few days.
Thu Sep 6 12:38:30 2007
Have you ever been to the Victorian festival? What do you find interesting about the era? Send us your comments.
