Village transformed into bustling market place (From Western Telegraph)

Village transformed into bustling market place

THE tranquil village of Crymych was transformed into a bustling market place last week as crowds gathered for the annual Frenni Food and Craft Festival. In its second year, the one-day event boasted a fine array of cheeses, liqueurs and traditional hand-crafted gifts from local producers. Visitors queued outside the market hall, eager to sample the various delights and to catch a glimpse of the cooking demonstrations from special guests, including S4C's Sioned Mair.

Dewi Smith from Planed, an organisation which supports and publicises local development activities, said: "It's been brilliant. People were wanting to get in at 11 this morning. This is a community event and people value that."

The festival, a fine example of the regeneration of traditional local markets, helps to encourage and promote local people and events. Chairman of the Frenni Food and Crafts Festival committee, Kevin Davies, said: "It is important for the economy, and the local businesses. It is important to make contact with them and bring everything together."

Crymych is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of its twinning with the French city of Ploveilh in Brittany.

Organisers invited the folk group, Bagad Penhars, from the nearby French town of Quimper, to provide musical entertainment throughout the day.