Gro Gathering
Last updated: 26 January 2006
In July 2004, local bands and musicians put on a special open-air concert for the people of Rhayader. More than 2,000 turned up for the Gro Gathering which was organised by community arts project CARAD.
Debbie Wozencraft from CARAD takes up the story.
Take the Photo Tour "The Gro Gathering was held in the Gro Park, Cwmdauddwr, Rhayader on the 16 July 2004. The concert was part of the 'Hills Are Alive' project, which was a project in 3 parts.
The initial stage was local musicians were invited to come and record some of their music at the CARAD music studio. This was then made into a compilation album available to the public with one track (song) from each artist/band. This took several months to record and mix down, and Bob Walters managed all of this aspect of the work.
The second part of the project was that Ian Cooper, a very talented musician, worked with a group of Rhayader young people to devise and compose a bespoke original piece of music which was co-ordinated with a audio visual display on 2 large screens at the concert. The music led into the firework display which also timed with the music.
The final part of the 'Hills Are Alive' project was the free open air picnic concert in the Gro park, which allowed local musicians who performed on the CD to perform on a large scale, high profile stage - something many of them had never done before.
The concert was really well supported with over 2,000 people attending and many saying they would bring their friends next year.
Originally the concert was a one off. However, the public have requested that we do it again and support in the town has been really high. Here are a couple of the quotes that we received as feedback.
Robert Lewis of Tynpistyll Farm:
'It was the first time I had seen a Glastonbury stage in Rhayader, the cross section of people there was phenomenal."
Ian Cooper, local musician:
"I was very, very lucky to work with the calibre of young musicians, their level of professionalism, their creativity, and musicianship was tremendous. The teamwork was crawling out of the walls with everyone involved. The communication was excellent. Every ingredient was there to make this a successful event."
Written by Debbie Wozencraft, from Rhayader and District's Community Arts centre, CARAD.
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Dave Woods from Rhayder
The Groe gathering was tremendous and I loved taking snapshots at the Groe gathering. I love taking photos.
Mon Jan 16 10:56:19 2006
Catherine Lea from Rhayader
"Great Oaks from little acorns grow" please, please can we have this gathering every year, not just the 100th Carnival! It was so good to have something for the whole family, and all ages. The bouncy castles near the swings for the little ones, the older boys were kicking footballs around, and then the enclosure with the barbecue and the stalls, the bar, and of course a fantastic covered stage with room to dance, just like Glastonbury or Woodstock! Wow, come on Rhayader, you have shown us you can really do this! Don't stop now!
Fri Jun 17 23:34:58 2005
Jane from Newtown
What a brilliant night all people who took part did a brilliant job and the local group Cover girls got the crowd going. Fireworks they were spectacular, I hope Rhayader does something good again this year.
Well done Rhayader.
Mon Apr 11 13:40:39 2005
Mark Ingram, Northamptonshire
As an ex bogyite, I would love to see this as a yearly event to increase the fun of carnival week.
Wed Mar 16 21:34:51 2005
Bryan, Rhaeadr Gwy
I helped with the stewarding of the "gathering" and felt privileged to have participated.
There was music for all tastes and whilst I found "heavy rock" etc. not to my taste, preferring country and 60's and 70's pop, I was quite happy to listen to all contributions, helped perhaps by liberal libations of wine.
The culmination was the firework display with its visual displays and background music. The Gods, perhaps realising that everything after this would be an anticlimax, sent down a deluge to send us scurrying from the Gro, happy, merry and contented.
Tue Nov 23 23:27:52 2004
Cover Girls from Rhayader
We had the opportunity in taking part in the Groe Gathering, and we must say it was a wonderful evening and all the hard work in setting up such a great event sure paid off. Just hope this becomes an annual event.
Thu Oct 21 11:58:39 2004
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