28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Penarth Lawn Tennis Club festival attracts 1,200 people
The annual event at the club saw people enjoying music and street food.
The club's festival brought in a full crowd, despite concerns about the weather, with rain only starting after the headline act, The Shameless, finished their third encore.
Al Cozens, the organiser, said: "It was a fantastic day.
"We had been worried about the weather, but everyone turned up and joined in the festival spirit.
"This has become a real community event.
"It seems like the whole of Penarth turns out.
"It was great to see everyone from young children to grandparents on the dancefloor."
The festival not only supports the tennis club with crucial funds but also raises money for the club's chosen charities, the Welsh Air Ambulance and the MS Society UK.
A fundraising Pimm's stall alone managed to raise more than £3,000.
Charity volunteer Jan Cunningham said: "This is an amazing sum.
"It was great to see so many people coming up and getting a jug of Pimm's and supporting these great causes."
The annual bank holiday weekend festival featured five bands and a wide array of street food vendors, selling everything from curries and kebabs to pizza.
For the first time, a 'Kidzone' was introduced, offering sports activities and face painting for children.
Club chairman Martin Radford said: "It's incredible that this event is completely organised by our brilliant community of volunteers.
"I want to thank everyone who was involved – from the people who organised the bands, the food, the bars and all the health and safety requirements - which was a massive task.
"But of course, it couldn't happen either without the 50-odd members who put on blue T-Shirts to do a shift on the bar, clear up the rubbish or man the gate."
The festival also provided a platform for emerging local talent, with Dear Strangers, playing their first gig.
The club is always keen to hear from new acts interested in performing at the festival, and they can be contacted via its website.
The club also expressed gratitude to the event sponsors, particularly headline sponsor Reid and Sons, owners of Penarth's popular Hickman's Restaurant.
