HUNDREDS of people descended on Holywell for the town’s annual folk dancing festival.

Town leaders said it came as a huge boost to the town’s traders as the crowds flocked to the popular event.

More than 170 adults and children took part in the “Gwyl Cadi Ha” festival on Saturday.

Youngsters from local schools and musicians performed between 10am and midday.  Then the festivities moved to Caerwys in the afternoon.

Organiser Chris Bailey said: “It was a great atmosphere and a great day. We managed to avoid the rain, the drizzle. We had 12 schools turn up and we managed to dance for the best part of two hours.”

The festival started with the traditional Cadi Ha dance, which originated in west Flintshire with the first record of the dance dating from 1788.

Holywell town manager, Medwyn Roberts, said the festival provided a boost for the town.

He said: “There was a fantastic atmosphere and there were a lot of people.
We were very lucky with the weather. The children enjoyed themselves and there were a lot of new faces.

“It is a real community event. It brings people into town and it is good fun for the people who live here as well.”

Mr Roberts said the town was looking for ideas to stage another music and dance festival to attract more visitors to Holywell.

Funding for the festival was provided by Holywell and Caerwys town councils and rural regeneration agency Cadwyn Clwyd.

Mr Bailey said he wanted to thank all those who helped with the festival and said it will return for its 15th year next May.