Hundreds attended the Newtown Outdoor Festival but questions over it's future remain

Town councillors will read that hundreds of people attended the most recent Newtown Outdoor Festival in a report to councillors, written by the organisers, Walking Newtown.

The event, which was last held in Newtown on the Queen's Platnium Jubilee weekend is a two day walking and events festival which incorporates Walking Newtown walks, sporting activities and more.

The report, which will be considered by town councillors as part of their Economy & Environment Committee meeting on 5th September 2022, highlights the work done by Walking Newtown on organising the event and provides feedback to town councillors.

The town council supported the event with a £2,000 grant.

77 people initially registered for the walks and 20% of these were tourists says the report's authors, Paula Scott and Michael Davies.

The report says:

"The festival kicked off with a free, limited number guided visit to the Friends’ Meeting House with Tim Chilton, who volunteered his house and time. It was booked up within hours of tickets becoming available. "

"About 50 people attended the Saturday evening Ceilidh at the Monty Club. Entrance fees were charged which were donated to a refugee charity. "

"A couple from Cologne who were staying in Newtown ‘by accident’ joined in on several of the walks."

The future of the outdoor festival however is in doubt, with Walking Newtown unable to provide the time to deliver the large event. The group are recommending that a professional event manager should be sought to take on the organisational reponsibilities.

Walking Newtown did confirm that they would be willing to take on the walking aspects of any future outdoor festival.

It is unknown if the town council has the capacity to run and organise the event in the future.