Two Bears at the Welsh Warrior Festival

thumb_slingsby_abergavenny It was a lovely sunny Wednesday when Cpl Horsa and myself (the Famous Sgt Slingsby) were packed along with lots of other stuff into bags and boxes. About lunch time we drove to some hidden car park near a small brook and we thought that might be the end of us. But then all doors opened wide and there was ... the little bearer I spent Christmas and New Year with last year, who hugged and held us. All boxes and bags went from one car to another and after a big hug and kiss for GRB we waved goodbye. So we drove into the dark and mysterious valleys of Wales with YIM, Josey and the little bearer. We followed small and winding roads (that definitely don't deserve the name) and ended up in a very nice cottage high above Abergavenny. After unloading the car we had a fabulous Chinese take-away along with lots of beer ... and off to bed we went.

The next day we went to Caerleon University of Newport to meet the charming Jayne Hunt. She gave us a tour around the university and finally they had a tea / coffee in the Café, where we had some honey instead. After providing us with the paperwork for the Welsh Warrior Festival we took a photo outside her office before leaving for Abergavenny again. We had a short stop at the computer point in the library of Abergavenny, because the bearer's laptop was of no use up in the mountains; lacking a signal. Afterwards did some shopping to make sure all those helping hands wouldn't be hungry or thirsty at the festival on Saturday, and even more important for Horsa and myself not to be out of beer or honey !!

On Friday we met the lovely Hazel Hunt, the mother of Pte Richard Hunt, who was the 200th soldier to lose his life whist serving in Afghanistan. The Richard Hunt Foundation was the organiser and host of the 1st ever Welsh Warrior Festival in Abergavenny. We stopped by the ACIO and had a chat with the Office Manager. Then the first helpers arrived and so we met them at Bailey Park one by one. We had a bit of squaddie chat with the blokes setting up stands and constructing the stage. And checked the provisional campsite for our helpers. At 1900 we had a nice first meet and greet at the band stand in the park and Taff brought something he thought to be a German helmet, which was actually a Polish fireman's helmet! The little bearer loved it and had to don it right away.

After everyone got their shirt, cap and ticket for the next day, we set off for a drink and chat at 'The Bailey', a snugly pub near Bailey Park. Weather was fine and we were all looking forward to the next day. When we got back to the cottage we got everything packed in the car for the next day and went to bed after a nightcap by the fireside.

Saturday morning, finally !! Horsa and I had a quick shower and got ourselves smart and spiff for our important appearance at the festival. We arrived at Bailey Park early in the morning and after a big hello and welcome to all helpers we furnished and decorated our stall. We felt quite at home being in the woods! One by one all those lovely people from ARRSE appeared, such as Bossdog, Taff, Ticklish, Lechies, Tropper, Miner, Welshy, Sympathetic, some with friends or family; and not to forget the friendly team of soldiers of the ACIO in Abergavenny.

We went for a spin to say hello to other charities such as BLESMA, RBL, RAF Benevolent Fund, SSAFA, Combat Stress, Afghan Heroes, Pilgrim Bandits and Talking 2 Minds. Horsa and I had to shake lots of hands and made some new friends. The RBL Riders Branch extended a warm welcome to Horsa and me and we enjoyed being seated on several of their fantastic bikes .

Several helpers did turns all around Bailey Park with us as well. We were handing out leaflets and offering lollies to the children. We met clowns and harlequins, dancers and the police dog section and listened to some fabulous bands on stage. Every now and then we had a break and took a seat in front of our stall, holding posters and talking to people passing by. I went up a mobile army climbing tower to have a look all over Bailey Park and had a nice chat with some cops in a patrol car. We watched the RAF Helicopter Display over our heads and the Black Mountain Falconry Display.

Cpl Horsa and I had a sort of private meeting with the JAWAHIR Belly Dance troupe after their show, of course only to learn a bit about this very attractive way of dancing! Afterwards I had a chit chat with the local fire brigade recruiting team, while sitting on one of their fire engines. We watched the Welsh Axemen Display Team and the BUMS Morris Dancers and enjoyed the display of the Mini Club. And of course we took the opportunity to get carried around the park to meet people, and grab some refreshments, from time to time!

In the late afternoon the famous Welsh comedian, singer and actor Max Boyce, who is one of the patrons of the Richard Hunt Foundation, arrived at Bailey Park. He delivered a moving speech on stage and afterwards took the time to sign a couple of shirts for Holidays4Heroes. I thanked him for his support and the bearer took a few snapshots of the two of us.

Then we listened to some great local bands, such as Hoochie Mamma, Town, The Undivided, Go X, Big Macs Wholly Soul Band, 2 Rude, The Last Resort and the Cwmbran Male Voice Choir. Once the people stopped wandering around the park, we began to box and pack in everything and reloaded the car. After saying goodbye and exchanging hugs and kisses with everyone, we went back to the cottage, fairly done.

The next day we had some nice relaxing time at the fair in Abergavenny and the little bearer didn't want to stop being on bumper cars. Cpl Horsa felt sick from that, so I had to soothe him with a couple of drinks.

Monday we had to pack everything, cause YIM and the little bearer had to go back to Germany the next day. Once again we drove to some hidden car park and to our great joy GRB and Shopgirl were there waiting for us. We exchanged some big hugs all around and again boxes and bags went from one car to others. With tearful eyes the little bearer said goodbye and we had to wave farewell.

Off to the next adventure for Cpl Horsa and myself ... attention ... WEYMOUTH - HERE WE COME !!!