THERE was a right Royal ding dong at the launch of this year’s Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival.

Many had to cover their ears as town crier Janet Swindale rang her bell and shouted ‘Oyez, oyez!’.

The organisers chose May 24 as the launch date for the festival as it was also the 198th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria, who was born on May 24 1819 at Kensington Palace. May 24 was also the launch date of the very first Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival in 1981.

The Victorian Festival itself will take place this year from August 21 to 28 when the town will again turn back the clock to the Victorian era.

Many events – some old favourites and others new – will be staged at year’s festival, details of which can

Pictured above are Llandrindod Wells town crier Janet Swindale, festival chairman Chris Hartley (covering his ears), Llandrindod Wells mayor Jon Williams, Cllr Denise Hartley, Sian Meredith, Marina Williams and David Hawes, chairman of the Friends of Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival.