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Ty Bro Ddyfi, 52 Heol Maengwyn, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8DT, UK. phone: 01654 703965 e-mail: info@ecodyfi.org.uk

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3/10/2005

With help from community, lantern event is ON

We are looking for volunteers to be stewards on the night - phone Natasha on 01654 703535 or 703965. 29 Oct 6.30 Samhain Lantern procession Maengwyn St. 29 Oct, 7.30 Fireworks £3 adult £1 child Y Plas Machynlleth 22-28 Oct 11-1; 2-4 Make a Lantern! £2 per 2h session (4h minimum) Celtica Picture (Samhain 2002 ): Barbara Walker, Teleganolfan Machynlleth

This week, organisers announced that following considerable uncertainties during September, the Samhain community celebrations in Machynlleth have been saved and the event will take place on Saturday 29th October 2005.

The main event, which has included a lantern procession through the streets of Machynlleth, a fire performance based on ancient Celtic new year mythology, and a spectacular fireworks display, has run for 4 years so far and has involved a diverse range of arts, community and youth groups.

In previous years community group Elemental Earth have garnered grant awards, gathered volunteers and organized community and school lantern-making workshops with local artists in the weeks leading up to the event.

But the group disbanded earlier this year leaving the event without a lead body.

Celtica staff and community regeneration group ecodyfi recognized the threat to the event in early September and began a successful appeal for financial help and volunteers. Individual businesses, such as Kelvin Jenkins Jewellers and Tincan, have joined groups such as Mach Fringe and Machynlleth Carnival Committee in pledging their support, and Celtica have offered to underwrite the fireworks display.

Other individuals have contacted ecodyfi (01654 703965) to offer themselves as volunteer artists and marshals.

In addition to this, grant funding from Powys County Council and the WDA has enabled organisers to plan for a full week of lantern making workshops and to contract an experienced co-ordinator - Natasha Duggan, formerly of Elemental Earth - to ensure that the celebrations run smoothly.

Natasha says "Although it may be a smaller-scale event than in previous years, we are really pleased to confirm that the Samhain celebrations are happening again in Machynlleth this year.

"We'd like to thank everyone who has offered help and support and to encourage anyone else out there with some time or money to spare to get in touch". Natasha can be contacted via ecodyfi on 01654 703965.

Further information:

• Gallery 2005

• Picture gallery from previous years

• Press release 2 (afterwards)

• Poster 2005 [pdf]

• Andy Rowland, ecodyfi Manager 01654 703965