News

2009 Event a Huge Success Thanks to Team Effort

Judges from the Organizing Committee joined the throngs of early Christmas shoppers at Llandudno’s renowned Celtic Winter Fayre, on the look out for the best dressed stall. Among the wide variety of businesses represented at the event were local craftsmen and caterers, together with stands from far and wide. Over 100 stalls offered a glorious array of authentic foods and crafts from all parts of the UK and other countries - all undercover in marquees and wooden cabins.

Chairman of the event George Newson was accompanied by well known local hotelier and Committee Member David Williams of the Ambassador Hotel, and Janet Johnson from Conwy County Council’s tourism section. After much deliberation, they chose in first place Llandudno Smokery, who received £150 and a free stall at next year’s Celtic Winter Fayre to be held on Thursday 18 – Sunday 21 November 2010.

Second place, and a prize of £100, went to Bodafon Farm Crafts, who specialise in children's gifts and souvenirs from books and soft toys to farm animals and hand made crafts. Third place, along with a prize of £50, was awarded to Great Orme Patisserie and their great display of sumptuous hand-made cakes and gateaux, each one made from rolled towels, richly embellished with fruit or leaves.

Said Mr Newson: “As always, I’m delighted by the huge range of foods and crafts available at the Fayre. The mixture has proved as popular as ever, and we’re always on the look-out for ways to expand and improve the shopping experience for our guests. The Best-Dressed Stall competition has attracted a lot of interest, and we’re confident that the high standard of presentation throughout the event will contribute to a truly unforgettable experience for visitors both now and in the future.”

One of the highlights at this year’s event was a repeat visit from the Sisters of Mercy from the convent of St Elisabeth in Minsk, Belarus. Now firm friends, for the last three years they have made a 3,000-mile return trip to Llandudno with their exquisite range of crafts, including ceramics, embroideries, woodwork and metalwork, which they sell to support their vital work with orphans, the homeless and people with drug and alcohol problems.

Some other familiar faces at the Fayre were the owls of the North Wales Bird Trust at Bodafon Farm Park, well known to patrons of both the Celtic Winter Fayre and shoppers in the Victoria Centre, Llandudno. The Trust provides rescue and rehabilitation to injured and distressed birds of prey, nursing the wild birds back to health and releasing them back into a suitable habitat. They also educate young people and older groups in North Wales, and work with international partners to create and maintain breeding stocks of the world’s rarest owls.

Now in its seventh successful year, the Celtic Winter Fayre defied the poor weather and proved to be a huge draw in terms of visitors and trade for the town as a whole. Organisers were extremely pleased with the turnout, which included coach parties of visitors from across the UK as well as loyal residents who now make the Fayre an unmissable pre-Christmas shopping event in the local calendar.

Ends

For further details contact: Janet Johnson - Conwy County Council
E-Bost/E-Mail: janet.johnson@conwy.gov.uk
Tel: 01492 574504

Competition Winners at Llandudno’s Prestigious Celtic Winter Fayre

Judges from the Organizing Committee joined the throngs of early Christmas shoppers at Llandudno’s renowned Celtic Winter Fayre, on the look out for the best dressed stall. Among the wide variety of businesses represented at the event were local craftsmen and caterers, together with stands from far and wide. Over 100 stalls offered a glorious array of authentic foods and crafts from all parts of the UK and other countries - all undercover in marquees and wooden cabins.

Chairman of the event George Newson was accompanied by well known local hotelier and Committee Member David Williams of the Ambassador Hotel, and Janet Johnson from Conwy County Council’s tourism section. After much deliberation, they chose in first place Llandudno Smokery, who received £150 and a free stall at next year’s Celtic Winter Fayre to be held on Thursday 18 – Sunday 21 November 2010.

Second place, and a prize of £100, went to Bodafon Farm Crafts, who specialise in children's gifts and souvenirs from books and soft toys to farm animals and hand made crafts. Third place, along with a prize of £50, was awarded to Great Orme Patisserie and their great display of sumptuous hand-made cakes and gateaux, each one made from rolled towels, richly embellished with fruit or leaves.

Said Mr Newson: “As always, I’m delighted by the huge range of foods and crafts available at the Fayre. The mixture has proved as popular as ever, and we’re always on the look-out for ways to expand and improve the shopping experience for our guests. The Best-Dressed Stall competition has attracted a lot of interest, and we’re confident that the high standard of presentation throughout the event will contribute to a truly unforgettable experience for visitors both now and in the future.”

One of the highlights at this year’s event was a repeat visit from the Sisters of Mercy from the convent of St Elisabeth in Minsk, Belarus. Now firm friends, for the last three years they have made a 3,000-mile return trip to Llandudno with their exquisite range of crafts, including ceramics, embroideries, woodwork and metalwork, which they sell to support their vital work with orphans, the homeless and people with drug and alcohol problems.

Some other familiar faces at the Fayre were the owls of the North Wales Bird Trust at Bodafon Farm Park, well known to patrons of both the Celtic Winter Fayre and shoppers in the Victoria Centre, Llandudno. The Trust provides rescue and rehabilitation to injured and distressed birds of prey, nursing the wild birds back to health and releasing them back into a suitable habitat. They also educate young people and older groups in North Wales, and work with international partners to create and maintain breeding stocks of the world’s rarest owls.

Now in its seventh successful year, the Celtic Winter Fayre defied the poor weather and proved to be a huge draw in terms of visitors and trade for the town as a whole. Organisers were extremely pleased with the turnout, which included coach parties of visitors from across the UK as well as loyal residents who now make the Fayre an unmissable pre-Christmas shopping event in the local calendar.

Ends

For further details contact: Janet Johnson - Conwy County Council
E-Bost/E-Mail:janet.johnson@conwy.gov.uk
Tel: 01492 574504

Llandudno to Become Town for all Seasons

DELIGHTS ranging from traditional Welsh food and drink to Russian religious art and from stunning wildlife photos to intricate hand-blown glass all feature in this year's Celtic Winter Fayre to be staged in Llandudno from November 18th-22nd.

Once again the setting from this annual arts and crafts extravaganza, which has rapidly become a highlight of the North Wales events calendar, is the seaside town's Mostyn Champneys Retail Park, in easy reach of the transport network and the promenade.

Organisers promise this year's fayre will be bigger and better than ever, with over 130 stalls offering a glorious array of authentic foods and crafts from all parts of the UK and other countries - all undercover in marquees and wooden cabins.

Although the main aim is to celebrate all things Celtic, there's a definite international flavour to the five-day fayre.

After their hit appearance at last year's event, nuns from St Elisabeth Convent in Minsk, Belarus will make a welcome 3,000-mile return trip to Llandudno with their exquisite range of crafts, including ceramics, embroideries, woodwork and metalwork, which they sell to support their vital work with orphans, the homeless and people with drug and alcohol problems.

If you're shopping early for the festive season, on the stall occupied by Conway-based Parisella you can sample the novelty of Christmas pudding-flavoured ice cream, along with a host of other mouth-watering varieties, from the more traditional pistachio to the taste-tingling blue banana.

Also perfect for picking up a bit of Christmas spirit is the stall of Celtic Country Wines who, at their base in the beautiful Teiffi Valley of Ceredidgion, combine ancient recipes with modern production techniques to produce wines from dry through to sweet that can be drunk with meals, at social occasions, picnics and parties.

Beer fans are in for a rare treat when they visit the stall of North Wales Brewery. On top of their year-round favourites like Abergele Ale and Bodwelwyddan Bitter, they are also offering some intriguing Christmas specials such as Christingle and Ginger Snap.

Stunning images of everything from birds and squirrels to big beasts like tigers and orang-utans will be showcased by North Wales-based wildlife photographer Tracey Langley.

And there's a range of awe-inspiring craftwork from The Glassblobbery, based at Glanrafon, near Corwen, who will have a memorable display of hand-made glass animals, flowers, dragons and other creatures, which make the perfect gift for birthdays and weddings.

If taking in the vast array of stalls at the fayre leaves you feeling in need of a quick sit down, then you could pay a visit to the stall of Julian and Trish Durham. From their base near Wrexham, the husband and wife team hand craft a beautiful range of footstools which they sell at a fraction of high street prices.

One of the exhibitors who firmly believes the fayre is now the place to be each November is Nigel Rose, who runs Conwy Valley Natural Beauty and Health. Located in the nearby beauty-spot just up the road from Llandudno, they have been involved in aromatherapy for many years and produce an impressive portfolio of natural high-quality products with applications ranging from skin problems and pain to stress and insomnia.

Nigel said: "The fayre is a not-to-miss opportunity for businesses such as mine to showcase their products and services. We will use it to launch some exciting new products and I know quite a few exhibitors will be doing the same.

"From the success it enjoyed last year, we know that the fayre is extremely popular with visitors. They know they will not only be able to look at lots of products they can't see elsewhere but can also to pick up some fantastic bargains. And you can't say fairer than that with Christmas coming up and the effects of the credit crunch being felt by many people."

Continental Market

The Celtic Winter Fayre will again include a Continental Market featuring a feast of European goods and foods. Stalls will include:

Fromage (Cheese)
Charcuterie (Cooked meats)
Vin's et Cidres (Wine & cider)
Biscuits Bretons (Breton Biscuits )
Saucissons (Sausage)
Nutts et Olives (Dried fruit, nuts & Olives)
Loukoum (Speciality Sweets)
Crêpes (Hot cooked food)
Bonbons (Sweets)
Paella  (Hot cooked food) 
Pashminas  (Clothing)
Bijoux et Montres (Jewellery & Watches)
Nappes Provençales  (Tablecloth of Provence)
Pains (Fresh Baked Bread)    
Italien Specialitys (Italian Speciality foods)

Cookery Demonstration

Local chefs and Llandrillo College catering department to provide visitors with useful advice and tips. Last year dishes produced included venison, crown of lamb, pheasant, lamb, vegiterian dishes, sea bass and deserts.

This years programme will be even more extensive, exciting and interesting. You may even get to sample the tasty dishes prepared!

Demonstrations will take place throughout the day, 10am to 4pm, and will be subject to demand.

The Celtic Winter Fayre doubles in size

This year’s Celtic Winter Fayre looks set to be even bigger than ever. The event has attracted 52 NEW stalls in addition to most of last year’s exhibitors. “We have over 30 food & drink stalls plus a full French market with 25 stalls from Normandy and Brittany selling bread, pastries, cheeses, wine and cider, tartiflette, olives, honey pastries, dry fruits, loukoum, crêpes, garlic prawns, saucisseson, barbecue sausages, Brittany biscuits, chocolates and sweets” said Nigel Rose.

The Celtic Fayre will also have over 70 exhibitors selling a wide range of craft and gift items including jewellery, leather goods, hand made furniture, art, clothing, cards, plants, sculptures, soaps and ceramics. To tantalise the taste buds, there is a dizzying array of local foods on offer from the traditional to the exotic. Foods include Welsh organic lamb, buffalo meat, preserves, jams, cakes and cheeses as well as an interesting selection of wines and beers.

With Christmas only 4 weeks after Llandudno's Celtic Winter Fayre this is the ideal place to pick up a truly unique festive gift. With Christmas trees and lights as well as Christmas music, there is nowhere better to get into the festive mood than at the Celtic Winter Fayre.

George Newson, Chair of the Celtic Winter Fayre Group said "Last year's Fayre attracted over 40,000 visitors - we feel that this year we will attract far more people. We have doubled the number of stalls and can offer visitors the ideal opportunity to look for the unusual, hard to find, Christmas gift. With a large selection of food producers, maybe, people can try something different with their Christmas turkey"

From the East to Llandudno

Llandudno Celtic Winter Fayre on November 18th - 22nd will this year again host nuns from St Elisabeth Convent in Minsk, Belarus.

Sister Tatiana said “Our Convent, named after St Elisabeth was founded in Minsk in 1999. It originated from the Sisterhood that had been serving in the Republican Psychiatric Hospital, The Mental Institute for adults, a home for children with mental and physical disabilities and one of the city's hospitals."

“In 1994 first sisters of mercy - young girls, parishioners of the cathedral in Minsk volunteered to take care of patients of the psychiatric hospital. 1999 saw transformation of several of our sisters into nuns. At present the Convent houses 75 nuns and novices altogether. There are also many sisters of mercy serving in the Convent as well. Construction work is still in progress; the work carried out in the hospitals is broadening and the charitable work aimed at helping orphans, homeless people, drug and alcohol addicts is developing.”

“30 kilometers (20 miles) from Minsk, there is a farm where people who have lost their place in the world find shelter and work, trying to reintegrate into the society and to start a new life.”

“There are a number of workshops on the grounds of the Convent which produce candles, ceramics, make and paint, pictures made of semiprecious stones, embroideries, woodwork and metalwork.”

“From time to time two of the sisters and helper Leonid drive the 3,000 miles round trip to visit Great Britain with an aim of fundraising for the disadvantaged residents. We come by van with our workshops' products and visit some parishes, abbeys' and some cathedrals' shops and offer our items for sale. This year we will visit The Celtic Fayre and try to raise money for further construction and charitable work.”

The Belarus nuns hope to have a wonderful time at the Llandudno Celtic Winter Fayre and will head back to Minsk in Belarus with lots of money for their orphanage. George Newson, Chair of The Celtic Winter Fayre Committee said “it is fantastic for the Celtic Fayre to be associated with the good work these kind, sympathetic nuns undertake for disadvantaged children and adults in the city of Minsk”.