A BRAND new summer festival is coming to the heart of Denbighshire later this month.

The Gwyl Edeyrnion Festival, in Corwen will be held for the first time after popular desire in the Edeyrnion area for its own summer festival.

The eight day event, organised by South Denbighshire Community Partnership, will see people of all ages will be able to take part in a range of competitions in art, poetry and photography around the theme of Welsh history, mythology and landscape, with winners' work put on display by businesses in the town following a community ballot box vote. Other activities include an archaeological dig, a bushcraft skills session, willow weaving, Tai Chi, an Owain Glyndwr walk, a movie afternoon for children and families, a drum workshop, a glass-making demonstration and more.

The eight day event will commence on the village square on Saturday, August 18 at 1pm with 'Stir on the Square' offering plenty of entertainment, with an opening night headline performance at Yum Yum café by the band Chilled.

There will be further music performances across the village's pubs and restaurants by Gwilym Bowain Rhys, Facevalue, Gaslight Monkeys and more over the eight days.

The festival will close on Saturday, August 25 with a family day from 1pm to 5pm at Memorial Park with stalls, involving children’s activities, sporting activities, dance displays, choir performances and, of course, a tug of war competition. Winners of all the friendly competitions taking place across the week will be announced on the final day.

Sally Lloyd Davies of South Denbighshire Community Partnership said: "It is fantastic to see the community enthusiasm and support to make this festival happen, and businesses, groups, local bands and other organisations donating time and provision for this to happen.

"South Denbighshire Community Partnership are pleased to support the local community with this fantastic initiative and are looking forward to the week-long festival and the various activities and events on for the local community’."

Sue Harwood, member of a community organising committee working in conjunction with the SDCP, said: "It has been great to see how local businesses, groups and organisations have pulled together to make this Festival happen - it really is a community effort."