The Beacons

Brecon Jazz Festival

by M0B1US

I'm always at a loss where to put these types of tips, so I'll just stick it under 'local customs'...

Every August, the market town of Brecon hosts this world-famous jazz festival with packed programmes of unmissable concerts by some of the finest jazz artists from around the world.

This year the 22nd Festival Of Jazz ran from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th August 2005 with a mix of big name concerts, 'stroller' concerts and street music events.

Acts this year included: Tomorrow’s Warriors, The Charlie Parker Legacy Band featuring John Faddis, The Count Basie Orchestra, The Georgie Fame Birthday Big Band, The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Orchestra, Soweto Kinch, E.S.T., The Tord Gustavsen Trio, The Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra featuring Ruby Turner and Sam Brown, KT Tunstall, Katherine Jenkins and Lucie Silvas to name a few of the approximately 90 concerts and street events over the two days...

Over 70,000 people visit Brecon during the festival. I haven't made it there yet, but I'm thinking next year I think I will!

Gateway Town to the Beacons

by M0B1US

"Highlights"

As a gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park, the market town of Brecon is a perfect jumping off point for visiting this beautiful region of Wales.

It has a beautiful heart of mainly Georgian buildings with many nice cafes and restaurants lining its narrow streets overlooked by a small castle that has been converted into a hotel with excellent views of the Beacons.

Brecon also hosts a world famous Jazz Festival in August which attracts some of the best jazz musicians in the world and thousands of visitors which has been going from strength to strength for over two decades.

"Quick Tips and Suggestions"

Brecon has an excellent local museum charting the local history from prehistoric times right up to the recent.

The 24th Borderers Regiment was the unit involved in the battle of Rourke's Drift against the Zulu in South African and the regimental museum charts this as well as other highlights of its illustrious history.

Brecon Cathedral is at the head of one of five diocese in Wales and is a very attractive and compact place of worship.

"Getting Around"

Brecon has excellent road and bus links being on the famous Welsh highway of the A470 and being linked to Cardiff by the Brecon Bus.

It is also at the head of the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal and the Taff Trail cycling and walking route linking to Cardiff