TRELLECH’S Big Weekend was the fifth event of its kind.

Running over the Friday to Sunday, 14th to 16th July, some events were old favourites, such as the village walk, the old photographs in the Methodist Church, and the Friday night concert in St Nicholas’ Church. Other events were being introduced this year.

The Big Weekend is a community event for the residents and visitors and was set up following a very successful Jubilee Weekend held in 2012.  A few people in the village felt it was a shame that it was a ’one-off’ and so the idea of the Big Weekend was born.

Fundraising ensures that organisers can make the events either free or heavily subsidised. 

The weekend kicked off on Friday with strawberry and prosecco teas and a concert at St Nicholas’ Church featuring the Monmouth Big Band.

On Saturday, an exhibition of old photographs of the village and surrounding area was displayed by Marion Evans, running alongside the photographic competition organised by Dick Coates. This year’s theme was ‘people, places and events in the Trellech United area’.

Saturday afternoon saw a produce show and children’s art competition in the Babington hall and a fete and fun dog show.

There was also the opportunity to climb the narrow winding steps of the church to have a go at bell ringing, or just have a look from the village’s highest point.

The day was rounded off with a Mediterranean night at the village hall.

Sunday was the chance to see Stuart Wilson’s lost medieval city. Then Sunday lunch and open mic at The Lion Inn with a family service at the Methodist Church at 6pm to finish the weekend off.

Organisers said overall attendance was up on last year at most venues, “the Big Band on the Friday Night in the church sounded amazing” said Nora Roberts.

 “The Art and Produce show was a new venture and we were pleased with the entries especially from the children of Trellech. 

“The Mediterranean evening was enjoyed by all and Sam Decker-Thomas’s master class in cocktail making set it off with a swing, and the food provided by Debbie at the Lion Inn was great. Peter Ayling entertained us with his knowledge on the wines drank with the tapas. 

“Stuart Wilson’s conducted tour of the Lost City of Trellech was well attended on the Sunday morning, his knowledge of the village and it’s history is always fantastic. 

“Sunday lunch and the open mic at the Lion brought the weekend to a very successful end” she added.