A Day at Gŵyl Borthffest Borth Arts Festival: Scarecrows, Creativity, and Community Spirit

Taking the train to Gŵyl Borthffest Borth Arts Festival on Saturday felt like the perfect way to travel, immersing myself in the journey before diving into a day of creativity and community. The rain overnight had me hoping for clear skies, and as I arrived at 9am, the morning held that fresh, expectant energy of a day about to unfold. It was very windy!

'Connect with your inner angel'

Wandering through town before the festival officially began, I set off to admire the scarecrows dotting the High Street. My camera was at the ready, capturing the creativity of local groups who had brought these imaginative figures to life. On the beach, a couple of kites danced wildly in the wind, a preview of the vibrant energy running through the day.

One of the creative scarecrows

As I paused by the Community Hub to catch my breath, I struck up a conversation with Christine, who was also waiting for the exhibition to open. What followed was an unexpected delight, she took me on a tour of the scarecrows, inviting me for a coffee at her house before we headed together to see the stunning creations inside the Hub. Helen, who manages the space, shared insights into the stained glass windows and intergenerational projects that have brought people together. She also told me a rather amusing tale about the black crows and black paint, one of those stories that sticks with you.

By the time I made my way back down the hill, the festival had well and truly come alive. People filled the streets, exploring exhibits and events. A quick stop at 2 London Place had me hoping to catch Sadie, but I had just missed her. Next, I wandered through the craft fair at the community centre, where I met Alison, who had emailed me about a project she’s planning for later in the year.

Before heading back, I stopped by the Station Museum to see George and Jo, station adopters and passionate curators of railway history. Their knowledge and enthusiasm shone as they welcomed visitors to the museum, alongside volunteer Sam, who was lending a hand for the day. The museum had only been open for 15 minutes, but the stream of visitors was already steady, a testament to both the festival’s draw and the station’s place in the community.

Everywhere I went that day, the festival radiated warmth, creativity and connection. As my train pulled into the station to take me home, I noticed newcomers stepping off, eager to begin their own exploration of Borth’s arts and culture.

A huge thank you to Sadie and all the volunteers who make events like this possible. Gŵyl Borthffest Borth Arts Festival is a true celebration of creativity and community, I already can’t wait for next year!