NOVEMBER | COVER FEATURE
biggest independent festivals in the UK , and a hugely significant event for Wales both culturally and economically .
Stewart says that due to the country ’ s relatively small population of just 3.2 million , and limited transport infrastructure in the centre and north of the country , it can prove challenging for major events in Wales to attract significant crowds year in , year out .
Among the significant music festivals to have launched in Wales and fallen by the wayside since Green Man made its debut are Wakestock and Festival No . 6 , but there remains no shortage of smaller , distinctive , independently run festivals .
The numerous diminutive and distinct independent Welsh festivals include Fire In The Mountain , a 2,000-capacity event set in the foothills of the Cambrian mountains . With a 5,000 capacity , Green Gathering is an eco-campaigning event held in the grounds of a dilapidated neoclassical mansion on the outskirts of Chepstow , while Love Trails ( 2,000 ) combines running and music in the Gower Peninsular .
Says Stewart , “ In many ways Wales is similar to Scotland in terms of having some very rural areas but unlike Scotland we do not have big populated areas like Glasgow and Edinburgh . What you often get at Welsh festivals is a certain type of attendee – festival tourists interested in unusual events in great locations .
“ There are also many very small festivals in Wales that primarily attract local audiences . These events should be celebrated and supported . They are usually a passion project for the people who are involved in them , and they do a lot for loneliness in rural areas by bringing communities together . The Green Man Trust works to support events like that ”
Working closely with local events and businesses helped Stewart stage Green Man this year without being impacted by supply chain issues .
“ Because I mostly work with tiny little supply companies , through all the delivery nightmares experienced elsewhere we weren ’ t out of anything ,” she says . “ If you work with 15 farmers who have each got sheets of a fencing in their back garden you know you ’ re going to be alright , it ’ s not going to be a problem .”
Also set in a rural location is the Hay Festival , one of Britain ’ s most-esteemed cultural events .
Launched in 1988 , the first Hay Festival of Literature and Arts saw 2,200 people squeeze into the back room of the British Legion and a tent in the garden of Kilverts Pub . It has since grown to become a must-attend networking event for the international
“ They are usually a passion project for the people who are involved in them , and they do a lot for loneliness in rural areas by bringing communities together .”
Green Man owner Fiona Stewart
literary elite that is also hugely popular among booklovers of all kinds .
Located in Hay-on-Wye , the festival typically takes place over 10 days in May and June with an attendance of around 12,000 people per day . Famously described by Bill Clinton as a “ Woodstock of the mind ”, Hay Festival has featured a wide range of some of the world ’ s bestselling authors including Jung Chang , Salman Rushdie , Martin Amis , Stephen Hawking and Zadie Smith .
As well as enriching the minds of those who attend , the event has a huge financial impact . A QRS Research report conducted in 2018 found the festival ’ s local economic impact during the previous three years amounted to £ 70m , with it generating £ 25.8m for the area in 2018 alone .
Analysing visitor spend within a
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