The Radyr and Morganstown Festival started in 1988, organised by the newly formed Community Association. The aim was to encourage the community to join in social, sporting, art and educational events to enhance the life of the village.
Events were organised by various groups in the village and some of the same events have survived to the current time. Sadly, the one event that has discontinued is the float parade, which at its height included 17 dressed lorries depicting a festival theme. Traffic problems, obtaining suitable vehicles and insurance premiums have largely made it impossible to organise this type of event during the last few years. However, there are two events which have developed and have been very successful
The Crowning Ceremony in Windsor Gardens has given the pupils of the local schools the opportunity to dance around the maypole and provide large crowds to enjoy their folk dancing. This has been supplemented in many years with the visits of children from St Philbert de Grand Lieu, our twin French town.
The Carnival, normally held on the last Saturday on Festival Week. This has included stalls of all shapes and sizes- craftwork, cakes, flowers, books, pottery, lace, entertainment from clowns to local dance groups, side shows, bouncy castles and many exhibitions and competitions for art and photography.
Each year we audition for a Festival Queen and with the help of the Radyr Guides each year we have a selection process. Many of the young girls who have held this position are now grown up with families of their own. In latter years there has been more emphasis on art and drama events, some supported financially by the County Council and the Art Council of Wales.
The plans for the future will include more sponsorship in an attempt to broaden the scope of arts and performance type events. Despite the ravages of time and the hard core of workers who have organised these events over many years the Festival is still healthy and growing and hopefully will go on from strength to strength in the years to come.
