Success at The Big Skill – Penpont

 

I really wish more people had come to The Big Skill Festival, held for the first time at Penpont, but for the few who did come to this event, it was a real treat.

Set in the beautiful grounds of Penpont, we were once again fortunate with the weather and the promised rain held off.  There was a plethora of activities, from a tour of organic kitchen garden where you could choose and pick your own vegetables to take back to prepare and cook outside using the clay oven; to a chance to try your hand at ‘logging’ using a working horse;  to even a ride on a dog sledge.

But for me, taking a break from The Great English Outdoors’ Wool Works stand in old stable block, the greatest pleasure was to  meet and talk with some of the other exhibitors, all of whom where experts in their field and happy to share their knowledge with anyone who wanted to listen:  the poultry men with their display of unusual ducks and chickens, Jim, with his working ferrets, experts from the  Welsh Owl Centre – and on the river the fishermen from Merthyr Tydfil Angling Association who worked all day, helping people to try their hand at fly casting.  One young man, caught himself a 2lb wild trout, immediately after his first lesson.  The anglers lent him a rod and a pair of waders, and he hasn’t been seen since!

This was a first for the organisers of the Festival, and a great deal has been learnt. We all very much hope it will happen again next year.  Come and join us in 2011