A MIX of brilliant contemporary works of art, an enthusiastic and generous public response and good weather are said to havecontributed to Penallt’s best ever Autumn art festival.

For four days the centre of the village was transformed by flags, bunting and marquees in which artists and makers displayed their creations and several gave talks and demonstrations and ran hands-on workshops both with children and interested adults.

In the recently restored Capel Pentwyn there were wonderful displays of painting and ceramics, glassware and photography and on the chapel’s terrace visitors enjoyed teas and home made cakes while overlooking the rest of the site.

Few realised that on the following Monday morning the chapel would be transformed back from a spectacular art gallery into a luxury holiday home.

Sales at the festival were lively and when gate money and the proceeds from the raffle were taken into account it has enabled the Art in Penallt team, after setting aside funds to ensure that the 2017 festival can go ahead, to make £500 donations to each of two highly regarded local charities.

The charities were named as Babington Meadow, Penallt’s village eco-park, and Bridges in Monmouth, which make such a big community contribution in the town

The internationally renowned potter, Walter Keeler, who is patron of the Art in Penallt group, handed out cheques at the Bridges centre on Thursday 27th to representatives from the two charities.

Mark Walton, who is the Bridges centre director and Councillor Tessa Murray, Secretary of Babington Meadow Committee are pictured below receiving the cheques.

Both congratulated the Art in Penallt team for the year-long effort they have made to make the festival, now entering its 7th year, a great success.

Mr Walton thanked the organising committee of Art in Penallt for their generous donation to Bridges.

He said: “We are extremely grateful to the organisers for choosing Bridges as one of their two local charities to support this year. The amount raised will be put to very good use supporting the many activities at Bridges to support disadvantaged groups in the community.”