The First Canal Festival 2023 was a remarkable event that brought together our community to celebrate our heritage, music, and the spirit of togetherness. This festival was made possible by the generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for the Neath Canal Recovery Project.

The Neath Canal Recovery Project received crucial funding from the NLHF, which played a significant role in making the festival a reality. The funding application highlighted the importance of revitalising the canal, fostering social cohesion, and promoting environmental stewardship. The project aimed to enhance the local economy, boost tourism, and preserve the natural beauty and historical significance of the canal.

In the days leading up to the festival, everything was borrowed and prepared to go ahead, even if the funding did not come through. Volunteers were tirelessly working, going in and out of the volunteer’s house, ready to proceed without the NLHF’s support. Just in the nick of time, the phone rang with the news that the funding was approved, and we did it! The festival was on, and the community’s hard work paid off.

The heart of the festival was the incredible community spirit. Volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare the festival grounds, putting up banners and flags, and ensuring everything was ready for the big weekend. Despite the constant rain leading up to the festival, which left the ground too wet for the much-anticipated Lletty Bela Blue Texels pedigree sheep, the volunteers never lost their enthusiasm.

Music played a central role in the festival, with performances from the Glynneath Male Choir and the band Once in a Life. This talented group of Filipino musicians, who have been living in Swansea for over two decades, started as a special performance for a friend’s 60th birthday and have since evolved into an amazing amateur band. Their performance was a highlight, bringing energy and joy to the crowd.

As we reflect on this year’s festival, we are already looking forward to the next one, where we hope to build on the success of this year and continue to celebrate the richness of our community.

Thank you to everyone who made the festival a memorable occasion. We did it!