FAENOL FESTIVAL EFFECT ON LOCAL BUSINESS IS MUSIC TO BRYN’S EARS

It’s a big year for Bryn. Next week he will make his debut as Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg with his home opera company, Welsh National Opera at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. In the autumn he flies to New York for his long awaited performances in Das Rheingold the first opera in Wagners Ring Cycle at the Metropolitan Opera House. To top it all, this summer, The Faenol Festival, the internationally renowned music festival that was Bryn’s brainchild celebrates its tenth year with all that means in terms of preparations, discussions, promotion, rehearsals and performances by the bass-baritone from Pantglas.

Speaking about the Festival this week, Bryn Terfel said: “I started the Faenol Festival because I wanted to give something back to the community that nurtured me. Last year, for the first time in the Festival’s history we weren’t able to put on the Festival, and the local economy suffered. Yes, this is a busy year for me, but I and the Festival team were determined to make it happen this year and to secure the event’s future. I’m so pleased that this 10^th Festival will go ahead, and I’m excited about the new format and content including the Battle of Britain Celebration and the comedy night, but more than anything, I’m delighted to hear people at home say that their hotels, caravan sites and B&Bs are already booking up with Festival goers – it’s music to my ears!”

The Faenol Festival is now established as an important economic activity in North Wales, and also plays an important part in significantly raising awareness and profile of the region as a whole.

Councillor Dyfed Edwards, leader of Gwynedd Council, said: “This year’s Faenol festival is set to be a fantastic event, yet again. Council officers are working with the festival organisers to ensure that the tenth anniversary Faenol festival will be a weekend to remember.”

“As we saw with the highly successful BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, Gwynedd is fast developing an international reputation as an area with the skills, experience and know-how to successfully host major international cultural events and music festivals.”

Figures from an evaluation commissioned by The North Wales Events Commission show that on average, between 2005 and 2007 Faenol Festival contributed just under £3 million a year to the local economy.

Organisers say that ticket sales for this year’s event are selling well, and that the success of Radio 1’s Big Weekend has clearly given the people of the area the festival bug!

David W Williams, Vice Chairman of the Faenol Festival Trustees said  “ It was a pleasure to attend the Radio 1 Big Weekend and to see what a great success it was both for Gwynedd and indeed North Wales.  The event seemed to be a natural lead up to the 10^th anniversary of the Bryn Terfel Faenol Festival.

From Bryn’s germ of an idea 10 years ago the Faenol Estate has now become the North Wales ‘go to‘ arena for major events with obvious beneficial  effects on the local economy, particularly leisure and tourism. Ongoing infrastructure improvements at the Faenol, facilitated by the Trustees and supported by Gwynedd County Council and the Estate, should ensure that the location becomes an  even more attractive venue for key UK and international events.

As Trustees we remain determined, together with our new partners Universal, to grow and broaden the appeal of the Faenol Festival whilst never losing sight of Bryn Terfel’s original dream of bringing  high quality international singing stars to this wonderful corner of Gwynedd.”

Commenting on this year’s Festival, Bryn said “There are a few more exciting developments to be announced for this 10^th year celebration so ‘watch this space’, and if you haven’t yet got your ticket and booked your accommodation, my advice would be to put it on the top of your to-do list!”

All tickets are available from the Festival website or by calling the Venue Cymru box office on 01492 872000, Galeri Caernarfon on 01286 685222, Silver Star Holidays on 01286 672333 or Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay on 02920 636464.

Timetable and ticket prices are:

Friday 27^th August 2010 – Westlife

Doors – 17.30
Show Starts – 20.00

Seats – £42.50
Grass - £35.00

Saturday 28^th August 2010 – Opera Gala

Doors – 17.30
Show Starts 20.00

Seats - £42.50
Grass - £35.00

Sunday 29^th August 2010 – Tan y Ddraig 10

Doors – 15.00

Seats - £35.00
Grass - £28.50

Monday 30^th August 2010 – Battle of Britain 70^th Anniversary Show

Doors – 12.00
Show – 13.00

Seats - £25
Grass - £20
Kids Grass under 16 - £15

Monday 30^th August 2010 – Al Murray The Pub Landlord and friends!

Doors – 17.30
Show star – 19.30

Seats - £32.50
Grass - £25.00

A 10% discount is available for bookings of 10 or more. All box office, telephone and internet bookings will be subject to booking fees, however, no booking fees will be charged for personal callers to these box offices paying by cash or cheque.

ALCOHOL POLICY FOR FAENOL FESTIVAL: DRAGON’S FIRE 10 AND AL MURRAY THE PUB LANDLORD AND FRIENDS PERFORMANCES AT FAENOL 2010

Faenol Festival Trust is working closely with North Wales Police to prevent under-age drinking on site and to safeguard the enjoyment and safety of our audiences throughout the Festival.

The Friday, Saturday and Monday lunchtime performances generally attract a mixed age and family audience. Dragon’s Fire 10 / Tan y Ddraig 10 and the comedy night on Bank Holiday Monday are likely to attract a predominantly  younger audience. These performances therefore, are subject to additional alcohol restrictions in order to safeguard the safety and enjoyment of audiences.

Each of the Festival nights is subject to the following policy: 

• No person under the age of 21 will be allowed to enter the arena in possession of alcohol
• No person under the age of 21 will be allowed to purchase alcohol from the bar in the arena, unless they produce identification to prove they are 18 years old or over. 

The policy for Tan Y Ddraig and Al Murray Pub Landlord and Friends will also include the following:

• No cans will be allowed into the arena
• No glass bottles will be allowed into the arena
• No food will be brought into the arena

Bar and catering facilities will be available on site for each of these nights.

The Faenol Festival Trust and Festival Team would greatly appreciate the media’s help in communicating this message.