That's incredible, I gasped, nodding at the Neo-Gothic splendour of Margam Castle, whilst simultaneously jumping down from Gilbert and hugging Corrie, Kaya Festival organiser who, after months of exchanging emails, already felt like an old friend. That's good, she replied, 'cos your pitch is facing that and the main stage. Could things get any better?
So what is Kaya? A world music and arts festival in its fourth year. After three years in North Wales the organisers decided to move south to Margam Country Park, just outside Port Talbot, for 2015. It was the first time we'd traded outside England and despite the long journey we'd applied to trade there as we loved the look of it.
At Kaya the accent may be pure Tom Jones but Bob Marley is king.
After introducing ourselves to our new neighbours, we set up shop, cracked open a beer and went off to explore our home for the next five days.
No wonder Margam Country Park was awarded Green Flag's Best Park in the Country. It really is spectacular with lakes & forests, a mountain backdrop and a sea view.
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| Vintage cotton maxi (Ruby Slippers Vintage) |
There's a farm trail with herds of roaming deer, cheeky goats and a rare breed of badger-faced sheep.
Some locals talking their dogs out for an evening stroll pointed us in the direction of the ruined Norman Abbey, destroyed during Henry VIII's Dissolution.
After exploring we headed back to camp and had an early night, the three and a half hour journey and six hour set-up had just about done us in.
Kaya opened to the public on Friday. The weather was glorious and the vibe was fantastic.
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| Vintage leather fringed top (courtesy of Helga), skirt made by me. |
Sam, our nearest neighbour sold handicrafts and instruments made by various community projects from his native Ghana as well as running a drumming workshop. If I make any money this weekend, I told him, I'm treating myself to one of those baskets.
Friday's acts included previous Kinky customers, Welsh hillbilly rock band, The Noses.
And Afrobeat legends, Seun Kuti, whose manager called in and made a purchase.
Other attractions included a 130 foot inflatable water slide and a hot tub cinema (luckily I'd packed a few vintage swimsuits which were soon snapped up by festival goers keen to join in the fun).
There was kayaking, zip wiring, a climbing wall and a healing field.
A circus.
A community piano.
And even a Tardis!
Saturday was equally glorious.
More and more festival goers were sporting Kinky Melon purchases.
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| Vintage metallic maxi (courtesy of Curtise), paper rose head dress (60p, eBay) |
The crowd was blown away by legendary festival DJ Norman Jay MBE
And The Brand New Heavies brought the house down.
Drummer Jan called in, loved our stock and made a few purchases before posing for a photo.
Sunday was grey and chilly but that didn't stop the fun.
Jon was glad of the 1970s velvet blazer I found on one of the charity stalls.
My vintage Tricoville blanket coat (best car boot buy this year) was admired by many.
Samba dancers and processions kept us entertained.
I explored the castle
Watched a band perform in the library.
We had fun dressing the teenage festival goers.
And hung out with the beautiful people.
Kaya was magical. A festival in the true sense of the word, an event that encompassed all racial backgrounds, classes & ages and really did offer something for everyone - entertainment, activities, workshops, nature, history, street food & shopping and talk about friendly, a five minute trip to the toilet could take up to an hour as everyone we met spoke to us. If you fancy Glastonbury but the enormity scares you then Kaya could be the one for you.
And did I buy one of those baskets? In the words of Sir Tom, Oh yeah!
And did I buy one of those baskets? In the words of Sir Tom, Oh yeah!
We had the time of our lives. Thanks Corrie, Kaya, South Wales and all the amazing people we met.
Want to see more? Check out THESE amazing photos of the festival goers (me included!)
Now we'd better go and unload the van and get ready for Brookestock, this weekend's festival.
