Maplas arts festival gets off to a great start

Malpas Literary and Arts Festival, near Whitchurch, was launched on Thursday with a literary lunch attended by hundreds of people which included an appearance by author Nigel Daly. Competitions, concerts and village plays will be held over the weekend.

Fiona Midwood, one of the event's directors, said: "We have been very happy with the first day and it has all gone well so far.

"The weather has been quite reasonable as well which is always good.

"We have had several hundred here I would say."

The four-day festival is held around the village, on Hampton Green and in Jubilee Hall. It features art exhibitions, guest speakers and musical concerts including the Vale of Clwyd Singers and folk and roots band Police Dog Hogan.

Ms Midwood said: "There is also an exhibition on at the Jubilee Hall in the village.

"It is made up entirely of artwork from the pupils at Bishop Heber School. It is a really good opportunity for the school children to have a real exhibition.

"We ran it for the first time last year and we had such a brilliant response so we have run it again.

"It really was terrific and to look at the work you really would not think it was school children."

The event is in its fifth year now and attracts guests and visitors from across the country.

Ms Midwood said it brought the whole village together.

She said: "It is a real community event and everyone gets involved.

"We do hope it will be our best one yet – it has got off to a very good start already."

For a full list of activities and events visit www.malfest.com