Once again this August Bank Holiday weekend, the bunting and flags will be out in Talgarth for the Black Mountains Festival, just as they have been for more than a quarter of a century.

This year, Talgarth - the Ancient Capital of Brycheiniog - overlooked as it is by the historic seat of Dark Age King Brychan Brycheiniog at Castell Dinas, Pengenffordd - has been the focus of much attention, triggered in part by the recent rebranding of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority this Spring.

The new Festival Committee, headed up by former Talgarth Mayor and Town Councillor Tony James draws on a number of new members from Talgarth and the Black Mountains region, all keen to play their part, and to build on the enduring popularity of the annual event.

This year sees a return to the Town Hall as a major venue for craft and local produce, as well as The Town Square and Bronllys Road, which will be pedestrianised for the weekend and lined with a wide range of stalls, to interest visitors and locals alike.

As in previous years, the Great Barns will be a local food and drink hub and Talgarth Livestock Market will be transformed into a living display of rural crafts, with a major emphasis on sustainability and a programme of demonstrations by Black Mountains College.

There is a rich and varied programme of music, including established and emerging bands and a wide range of story telling and children’s entertainment.

The Saturday evening also sees the return of the Llanelieu Church concert, in the heart of the Black Mountains, with a range of choral classics presented by the Bailey Consort.

The culmination of the Festival for many is the much loved Duck Race on the Ennig, which always serves as a focus for the young and the young at heart.

Talgarth looks forward to giving locals and visitors from further afield a warm welcome. The Festival gets underway on Saturday morning, with the official opening by much loved veteran Fire Station Manager, Bryan Davies. Bryan has served the Black Mountains community as a retained fire fighter at Talgarth for decades and looks forward to the honour of opening this year’s Festival.