2003 Festival feedback

What can I say! Everybody I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed the day.A friend of my commented that it seemed surreal to have Samburu people sitting on Newport turf! My family thoroughly enjoyed themselves and my mother thought about having a Fijian presence of some sort next year. I thought it was a fantastic day and it was great to see Newport people embrace and appreciate the multi-cultural event in a time, when I sometimes feel there is an underlying tension of racial hatred about. Amele Tukandra, GAVO

In the yurt tent with Dick Berry. Two Samburu warriors telling stories from the bush and teaching the audience to count with their fingers, these two beautiful guys,in wonderful colourful costumes, their hair glistening in a crack of sunlight sitting with children on each knee, the children from all nationalities sat in awe, except one little boy kept saying.,Stop speaking in Welsh! Bob Pontin, MFA Committee

Another great festival. Llinos and Olio Cryer wanted to know where the burger and chip van was? No lunch available for kids who only eat junk food, of which there seem to be so many. This meant they had to go off site for an hour. More litter picking needed, although people on the whole did use the large bins.The atmosphere was great and the mix of music brill. Story telling a highlight as usual. Catherine Bushell

It was a lovely day and I thought the circus went down very well. I hope we generated some interest in getting a community circus up and running in Newport. Ali, No Fit State Circus

I'm glad the festival was a success- you had fantastic weather for it. The photos on BBCi are great. All the best for future festivals. Kate Howell, Newport Ship Archaeologist

Another great event! A lovely atmosphere, great costumes and good organisation on the day. Last year, as a result of a survey compiled during the festival, Newport Sure Start managed to establish a Parenting Programme, Baby Group and Dads-r-us Group. This year we have generated new members for all these groups and received very positive feedback on the services we currently run in Maindee. BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE RELAXED AND ENJOYING THEMSELVES THEY WERE MORE WILLING TO GIVE US 5 MINS OF THEIR TIME, (WITH THE ADDED ATTRACTION OF FREE FACE PAINTING!!!) We were also able to engage families from the ethnic communities in a non-threatening environment. Thank you for all your hard work! It's been good working with you all in Maindee. Every good wish for the future of this first rate community festival. Alison Prowle, Newport Sure Start

The festival this year was the best ever! Carol Wadsworth, Headteacher, Maindee Primary School

It has been a pleasure to give some support to the Maindee Festival this year. I have been really impressed with how the whole thing works – Aled Singleton, Newport and District Refugees and Aslyum Seekers Group

Congratulations on a great festival! Could you tell us who we could go about applying to have a stall at next year's event or add us to your mailing list? Claire Routley St David's Foundation Hospice Care

Congratulations on the amazingly brilliant festival. Carmela Gianfanga, local resident and festival workshop leader

The festival was fantastic! You are bloody heroes organising all that in Newport! Darius James, Independent Ballet Wales

A momentous effort Lydia Bassett, Voluntary Arts Wales,

i suppose it was ok... if you like that sort of thing. Andy O’Rourke, Parade organiser

FAB FAB FAB!!! The Council should make a double contribution next year - doing a huge job for them most effectively – Trish Johns, Newport Social Services

Great festival. Great night as well - and the second band was great - Marco Gill Cervantes, performer

A wonderful event. I unfortunately succumbed to very bad burning on my feet ( despite liberal amounts of lotion). Despite this it was an exhilarating experience being able to share time with the Samburu. – Peter Rawcliffe, MFA Committee

Really enjoyed the festival - it went really well. – Majit Mahil, MFA Committee and South East Wales Racial Equality Council

The worst thing was the parade, the best thing were the stalls – boy on site

I came with some people with learning disabilities and they did not like the food, so we had to go off site – carer

What a day -Wow! Thank goodness its over - Phew! – John Hallam, MFA Committee

I had a wonderful time - though by the time I'd got back to the office and sorted through my pics to send to news I was ready to go home and sleep in the garden. Fantastic day - well done. – Selma Chalabi – BBCi Wales

Thanks for putting on such a great festival - mellow jazz just needs to be a little further away from the big drums, as a thought, next time. Was a great afternoon tho:) - Bernadette Reid, festival performer

Thankyou for the opportunity to market ourselves at the Festival. The response was very encouraging. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I look forward in working together next year. Aled Sion, National Eisteddfod

The grand finale, the end of the parade, the flags flying, a huge circle, the mass of colour, the sound of Batatan, we proceeded into the tent, where on stage were MUKA, the Brazilian dance group of children, with Anthony encouraging them all with total energy whoosh... Festival Bob

Communication by e:mail in advance was great. I didn’t notice the signage on the site, it didn’t impinge on me, I didn’t need it. Much more cosmopolitan than last year. Having African visitors to the Festival moved the focus of multicultural Newport into a wider global context, which seemed a healthy move. The site was more cramped visually than last year, a bit narrow. They was no where for the parade to parade around a bit before it came to a full stop. There should be more food outlets. Felt much bigger than last year. Olwyn Moseley, UWIC

I saw the balloons from town – that’s how I found the festival – girl on site

We are honoured to be a part of the festival. It gave us a chance to inform everyone of our existence. What team work! A great atmosphere all day and the night was fantastic. I thought I was in a Caribbean country. Well done everybody and see you next year. The Best is yet to come. Miriam Loder, Newport Filipino Assistance Bureau.

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