As the finale to the Caerphilly International Festival, The Big Cheese is a ‘must see’ attraction for all visitors. Portraying the history, heritage and culture of Caerphilly, last year’s event attracted over 80,000 people. Families from all over Wales and the South West poured onto the impressive site.
One of the biggest draws of the weekend is the fact that it is a free event and with over 90,000 people expected this summer the biggest entertainment programme yet is being planned.
VILLAGES & FAYRES
CHEESE MARKET
In Wales, the ‘principal articles exposed for sale’ at regular fairs were Cows, Cattle and Cheese. This is also particular to Caerphilly where fairs were a constant feature of the town over many years. Caerphilly was host to both monthly and annual cheese fairs held in the Twyn Market Hall and an annual Horse Fair held outside the Hall.
The production of Caerphilly Cheese temporarily disappeared from the town almost three years ago when the only remaining local producer abandoned a tradition that had proliferated in the nineteenth Century. However, the introduction of Welsh made Caerphilly Cheese through the town’s visitor centre, coupled with an increase in interest in the production of the Cheese has led to a local dairy manufacturer introducing production of locally made Caerphilly Cheese.
Visitors to this year’s Big Cheese will be able to choose from many different types of Welsh Made Cheese, from Cheddar to Caerphilly or Nuts to Nettles.
Cookery demonstrations, recipes and free tasters will remind visitors’ of the long history the town of Caerphilly has had with cheese. As far back as the nineteenth century the weekly cheese market would retail over 2 tonnes of cheese every week.
CRAFT FAYRE
With over 50 stalls selling high quality crafts from around Wales at this year’s event the craft fayre has gone from strength to strength. There has been a strong revival in demand for an industry that pervades much of Welsh Life, both past and present. As well as the Craft Stalls there will be a chance to see some working craftspeople in action in the Craft Demonstration Village.
LIVING HISTORY VILLAGES
Over time the development of Caerphilly reflects a historical association with many different periods of Welsh Life. Caerphilly Castle, the town’s most famous attraction is known for its construction by the Normans and its use during the early and late medieval periods. However, not long after the Silures Celts established themselves in the uplands of Glamorgan, Caerphilly was first utilised for its strategic location by the Romans who established a fort on the present site of the Castle. The fort established a link between the important auxiliary forts of Gelligaer and Carleon.
LIVING HISTORY DISPLAYS
As well as interacting with the living history encampments you can watch a feast of drill displays, weaponry skills, re-enactments and battles in the display arena.
COUNTRY VILLAGE
A flavour of some of the animal attractions you can see at many venues across Caerphilly throughout the year including otters, snakes, owls and other creatures including a static falconry and flying display. The static display will include such fascinating birds as the European Eagle Owl, Lanner falcon and many different Birds of Prey.
FLORAL VILLAGE
Examples of Caerphilly county borough’s finest gardens as horticultural groups from around the region come together to show their expertise and exhibits, proving that Caerphilly is Blooming.
FOOD VILLAGE
Famed for its annual fairs, Caerphilly will host a collection of food activities including cookery demonstrations from renowned chefs, such as Angela Gray presenter and chef of BBC’s ‘Hot Stuff’ cookery programme and a regular columnist in the Wales on Sunday.
FUNFAIR
As far back as Roman times the fair has been a feature of life in Great Britain, Fair being derived from the Latin word for holiday, ‘feria’. Today’s travelling fairs are a direct descendant of the medieval fairs of which amusements were always an integral part and the fairs of today trace a tradition that is over a thousand years old.
INTERNATIONAL VILLAGE
With the event now attracting visitors from afar, the international village will be host to a variety of interesting events and activities to captivate the imagination. Images from one of twin towns, Pisek, in the Czech Republic, will show the effects of the floods that hit Western Europe last year.
TOMMY COOPER VILLAGE
Caerphilly has been host to one of the most famous magicians of all time, ‘Tommy Cooper’. He is always remembered, and easily imitated by the Fez he always wore on stage and the catchphrase, 'Just Like That'. A visual comic, magician, entertainer and so much more, he just loved to do his magic tricks and get them wrong with such funny consequences. From his TV show to live performances, he could hold an audience in the palm of his hand, waiting on the edge of their seats for the next outrageous, stupid and hilarious moment.
FIELD ENTERTAINMENT ARENA PROGRAMME
For both days of the event there will be a constant programme of entertainment at our many performance arenas. However, if you are too busy enjoying one of the many other attractions and you can’t get to these regular performances then why not let the entertainment catch up with you! Our wandering street entertainers will be minstreling, hurdy-gurdying and musing the hours away entertaining all and sundry.
BEN SPRUCE
A Stilt walker and silver ‘statue’ extraordinaire, Ben’s ability to hold a pose is legendary. Keep watching or you’ll miss what might be his only movement of the hour!
PICK 'N' MIX
With unicycling, balloon modelling, magic, whip cracking, Diablo, juggling, fire juggling, walkabout characters and stilt-walking to choose from Pick 'n'Mix Circus was the natural choice for a name to describe what they offer.
BADGERFOLK PLAYFORD DANCERS
The dancers enjoy all types of Folk Dancing and specialise in those period dances dating from the early 17th century known as Playford Dances, a style that has become well known through their use in television dramas like Pride and Prejudice and Emma.
THAT’S BRASS
One of the country’s leading Brass bands and winners of numerous competitions, The BTM band will be bringing their festival outfit, That’s Brass, to The Big Cheese. Playing a variety of upbeat and popular classics be sure not to miss them.
WALKABOUT ENTERTAINMENT
BRIGHT SPARKS
All the way from Australia comes Stanley Sparks and Derek the gorilla, you will not believe your eyes, come and be amazed at the sight of Derek carrying Stanley around in search of fame, fortune and a bunch of bananas.
MATT BARNARD
Matt Barnard has been a professional entertainer for the past five years, working in theatre, street theatre and comedy cabaret. His solo juggling show, 'Matt Barnard-Man of Tweed' has taken him to stages around the globe, including numerous cabaret, corporate and theatre performances, a world cruise and (his favourite) a gala variety night at the London Palladium. He has simultaneously undertaken research, and has attained a research Masters Degree in British Street Theatre.
WHAT A PALAVER
Established in 1993, What a Palaver!! are two guys determined to amaze you with their bed of nails, juggling fire, danger, excitement, stupidity and audience participation galore.
A distinctive blend of comedy, spectacle and fun with an extensive repertoire of routines, they are entertainers who enjoy entertaining. Fun is too short a word for it.
NIKITA
Nikita are a duo of traditional puppeteers from Pisek in the Czech Republic, a country famed for its rich heritage of puppetry theatre. You can catch their unique performances throughout the weekend in the International Marquee alongside their colleagues from the Czech Republic.
MUSIC PROGRAMME
TANYA ROMINGER
Tanya Rominger, a young singer songwriter, has recently relocated to Wales after spending some time playing the bars of Mississippi, USA, where she was described as sounding not unlike Sheryl Crow.
JIM FOX
Jim Fox, the troubadour with a voice like that of Van Morrison, has been described by The Irish World as “one of the most sought after acts on the Celtic music scene today”. As a solo singer and songwriter or with his band Madra Rua, he has played numerous festivals including compering at Glastonbury, throughout Europe he has supported the likes of The Dubliners on their tours. He also finds time to write musicals and has recently been involved in filming the BBC production of Lorna Doone. But it is live on the stage where Jim really shines through. No festival would be complete without Jim Fox.
THE RAILMEN
The Railmen, an acoustic trio fronted by Ian Calford (whose father the late Cal Ford was known throughout the valleys as the Welsh Johnny Cash), are arguably Europe's finest country and rockabilly trio.
THE SCOUNDRELS
An accomplished and exciting acoustic due playing the sort of music recently brought to international acclaim by the hit movie O Brother Where Art Thou - a fun filled mix of country blues, old timey music, Bluegrass and sheer unadulterated down home, good time grooves.
PRESELI PETE AND THE BLUESTONE BOYS
Talented, musical, gifted and handsome Preseli Pete and The Bluestone Boys are none of them!, Playing a blend of Skiffle, Cajun, Calypso and their own compositions, the Boys mix self-deprecating humour with shamelessly populist feel-good vibes.
THE NUMBERS RACKET
The Numbers Racket are the premier Jump-Jive, Swing & Blues outfit around. Their high energy show, playing great numbers from Kid Ramos, Big Joe Turner to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is guaranteed to have you off your seat and jiving with the best of them!
RADIO WALES ROAD SHOW
Wales' most eminent entertainer, DJ and lifelong Martyr's supporter, Owen Money returns to The Big Cheese for a second time with his popular summer road show. A two hour programme of live music, entertaining chat and non stop fun including LIVE sets from Alan Thompson and Whiskey River will kick the weekends activities off in style.
RE-ENACTMENT & LIVING HISTORY PROGRAMME
ROMANO BRITS
Cosmetics, concrete, fast food, roads, aqueducts and sewers, to name a few of the Roman inventions we are all familiar with. Satisfy your thirst for knowledge about life in ‘Britannia’, as Britain was then known as the Romans transformed numerous aspects of British life over 400 years of occupation.
CWMWD IAL
Cwmwd Ial portray Welsh fighting men of the 10th and 11th centuries. See early bowmen in action and try your hand with the Welsh Longbow. Watch Welsh warriors preparing for battle and displays of weaponry and fighting skills.
SAMHAIN
See the ancient past come to vibrant life, as one of Wales’ most authentic re-enactment groups, recreates the World as it was in the late 12th and early 13th century. Watch displays of medieval life, arts and crafts. Let the children try the armour on for size and sample the awesome power of the broadsword. A fascinating glimpse into the lives of a Welsh warband, fighting to defend their land against the medieval English Kings.
KNIGHTS OF LONGSHANKS
Specialising in re-creating the passion and power of the wars of the 13th and 14th centuries, the Knights of Longshanks offer a highly entertaining and informative insight into medieval warfare and campaign life. With a membership approaching thirty in number, the group combines realistic combat displays with atmospheric living history demonstrations.
THE COMPANY OF CHIVALRY
The Company of Chivalry has ten years’ experience in providing good quality, accurate living history and re-enactment based around the latter part of the 14th century. The company portrays the Knights, Squires, Soldiers and Retinue of John Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster, claimant to the throne of Castile and Leon, who also held a number of estates in Wales. Witness the skill at arms, the recruiting of soldiers for future campaigns, the extortion of the King’s taxes and the sometimes gruesome enforcing of judgements made by the King’s justices!
FALCONRY
Fine fettled falconry with a static falcon display and flying demonstrations. Marvel at the alluring power and grace of falcons, hawks and owls as they glide and swoop through the air above you, or perhaps be lucky enough to call one of these amazing creatures to hand.
BLACKSMITH
Using a traditional forge, our local blacksmith will be demonstrating a craft that spans over three thousand years. Relying entirely on his skill to forge tools to achieve a good finish you can watch his regular demonstrations throughout the weekend.
CLOTHIER
A display and demonstration of traditional cloth making from the medieval period where all you query's, questions and intrigue can be answered.
TOMMY COOPER MARQUEE
BLACK'S MAGIC
Black's Magic have been top magical entertainers and manufacturers of magic tricks for over 30 years.
At Caerphilly Big Cheese Festival 2003 they will be found in the Tommy Cooper Marquee performing their unique magical act, involving mystery, comedy, and entertainment in a completely interactive environment, suitable, in true Tommy Cooper fashion, for children of all ages.
When not performing they will be found demonstrating the magical tricks they manufacture themselves at their stall in the Marquee which are available for purchase.
TOM FUN
Tom has been clowning since 1981 having realised a life long ambition to become either a bus conductor or a clown. (The only bus conductor he knew was always causing laughter).
In the 40's Tom began his "stage" career by signing or reciting in the Sunday School Anniversary. In the 50's it was singing in local Eisteddfods that took his interest. 1962 was when his proper "stage" career started with Caerphilly Players Amateur Dramatic Society and has since worked with several other AmDram Societies in the Cardiff area as well as in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
He is also a member of the Cardiff Magical Society.
THE SPLOTT BROTHERS
First premiered at the 1994 Golowan Festival, Penzance when there were three Splott Brothers and a real upright piano.
Since Golowan '94 the show has been constantly refined and added to. The upright piano was changed to a cocktail bar in 1996 when David Id and George continued to develop the show as a duo. Over the last four years they have toured extensively from Shetland to Terschelling and many places in between delighting audiences with their own style of cheesy listening and fezpian comedy.
Visitor information
Opening Times
The Big Cheese
Saturday 27 July 11:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday 28 July 11:00am - 7:00pm
The Big Cheese Funfair
Friday 26 July 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday 27 July 11:00am - 10:00pm
Sunday 28 July 11:00am - 9:30pm
The Great Cheese Race
Friday 26 July 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Firework Display
Friday 26 July 10:00pm
On Site Facilities
Toilets, Refreshments, Licensed Bar, Catering, Information Centre, Parking at Park and Ride and in Town
How to get here
Location
Owain Glyndwr Playing Field, Crescent Road, Caerphilly. Exit Junction 32 of M4, take the A470 or A469 and follow the signs for Caerphilly.
Public Transport
Bus: Regular Buses from Cardiff (Services 26, 71 & 72) and Newport (Service 50)
Caerphilly Travelinks 01495 235223
National Express (Cardiff) 0990 808080
Stagecoach 029 2086 7003
PTI Cymru. Info Line 0870 608 2 608
Train: Regular Trains from Cardiff
National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950
Car Parking
The Big Cheese Park and Ride scheme will operate from Friday 26 July 2001 and will be located at St. Ilan School. Follow the temporary signs from the A470, A469 and A468. In addition, there are 971 car parking spaces in the Town Centre itself, including 208 park and ride spaces at the Town’s award winning Transport Interchange.
Coach Parking
The town’s main coach park is located off Crescent Road, 100 yards from the site of The Big Cheese and a dedicated overflow coach park will be reserved within The Big Cheese Park and Ride scheme located at St. Ilan School. Follow the temporary signs from the A470, A469 and A468.
Group Facilities: Toilets, Refreshments, Bar, Catering, Information Centre, Park and Ride and Town Centre Parking.
Disabled Access: Access to the site is good from all entrances, ground level is flat with few uneven areas. A Limited Wheelchair hire service will be available on-site. E-mail tourism@caerphilly.gov.uk for further information regarding disabled facilities.
Group Sizes: Due to the nature of the site, there is no limit to the group sizes we can accommodate, but there is limited organised coach parking space.
Admission Charge: FREE.
Estimated duration: 3 – 4 hours.
Promotional Literature: Leaflets, posters and car stickers available on request for group visitors
Combined Visits: Whilst at The Big Cheese why not combine your visit with a trip around one of Europe’s largest Castles, Caerphilly Castle or amble through the Town Centre visiting one of the many local pubs or restaurants. You could visit the award winning Castle Court Shopping Centre or take a walk through one of the indoor markets.
Further Information:
For further information contact: Caerphilly Visitor Centre, Twyn Square, Caerphilly, CF83 1JL on 029 2088 0011 or e-mail tic@caerphilly.gov.uk
