On the first Sunday of the Festival we thought we would have a wander around Hay and take in the sights and sounds of the town away from the Festival Site.  It was absolutely buzzing. The pavements and market square were full of festival visitors and local people alike. Musicians were performing live music in the Market Square. Peterkin The Fool was entertaining everyone with his amazing antics. A fire-eater on stilts. He really is quite something!

Since the Festival moved to its new site, just along the Brecon road out of Hay, a few  years ago, I thought it might be interesting to get a general census of what the people of Hay thought.  e.g.  Should the festival have remained in the town or was it right to move it out of town? The first person I spoke to was an artist who lives in the town. She thought it was much much better when it was in town. She could be doing the washing up in the kitchen after lunch, quickly glance at her watch to check the time, and then be watching and listening to Germaine Greer just 10 minutes later. Now she has to organise herself to make sure she is at the Festival site in plenty of time. Next, I spoke to the Town Crier, Ken Smith who also thought that it was better when the Festival was in the town. Better for the shopkeepers, restaurateurs, etc. Graham of Chattels gift shop referred to the good atmosphere in the old days, which actually, on Sunday was demonstrated by the street performers and musicians, etc. Having said that, he said that he is very happy with everything that the Festival does to promote Hay-on-Wye. Adele Nozedar of Nepal Bazaar likes the Festival as it is now and also how it was in the past. She thinks that there are good points about both sites and said that Hay was a wonderful place to visit, not necessarily in which to shop, but to browse and take in the beautiful surroundings and atmosphere. She also said that we are privileged to be able to live in or near such a wonderful town. I absolutely agreed with her. Stuart from The Olde Curiosity Shoppe up at The Castle thinks that it was better when the Festival was in town, although last weekend, the first weekend of the Festival, was very good. The sun shone and everyone was in good spirits. He particularly thought that the live music and street performers were a real benefit to the town and he is another one who would like the festival to return to the town. I also spoke to a few visitors to the Festival. Mick and Belinda Evans and Sue Edwards, who are from the Kent/Surrey border. They all agreed that is was perfect as it is now. “One gets the best of both worlds, with everything in one place at the Festival site – and the town of Hay to visit as well. There is the marvellous shuttle bus, one gets the variety of both Festival Site and the town of Hay, so in fact no-one loses out”. I could see his point entirely.

John Clare has been holding a show of his paintings at his and Karen’s (also of Sage Femme) beautiful Tinto House, also a fine Bed and Breakfast. Beautiful gardens too, where they have been providing teas to visitors to Hay during the Festival. John commented that in the old days, before the Festival moved to the new site, there used to be a constant stream of people to see his paintings in his cottage near Kilvert’s, and also thought that the book shops were not getting the advantage that they used to.  He also mentioned that perhaps Hay should continue with the good Fringe Festival that it used to have?

Actually, I can see everyone’s point of view, although now I think that if it was held back in the town again, this could cause traffic congestion and parking problems, although on the other hand, it would be beneficial to shop-keepers, café owners and restaurateurs. I was having my hair cut by Claire at The Cutting Room this morning, and it was she who put this idea my way.

If there are any comments/views that YOU have on where Hay Festival should take place, then please post a comment on our Forum. Looking forward to hearing from you . . .

Clare