A LLANGRANNOG festival established by volunteers in 2009 has achieved recognition at the annual awards run by Wales Council for Voluntary Action.

Gwyl Nôl a Mlan won the prize for best communications in the west Wales section of the Third Sector Awards Cymru at a ceremony hosted by BBC news presenter Siân Lloyd at the St David’s Hotel in Cardiff.

The increase in the festival’s popularity was said to have been been “endless” and in 2017, it broke all records with more than 8,000 visitors during the two-day event.

“This was mainly down to the dynamic communications plan and innovative and clever use of social media,” said festival producer Carys Ifan.

“The small team was forward-thinking in setting up Facebook and Twitter accounts nearly 10 years ago.

“In 2016, a Snapchat profile was set up, and an Instagram profile last year, to ensure a tailored communications approach with various audiences.”

The festival has three main aims – to promote the Welsh language, contribute to the economic and cultural economy of the village and surrounding area, and offer an experience for the whole family.

“The organisation communicates in Welsh at all times using everyday language, local dialect, colloquialisms, relevant vocabulary and humour,” Carys added.

“There are translation tools on social media so this is an option for individuals who can’t yet speak Welsh.

“There’s no doubt that the local community has benefited greatly from the festival’s confident and fun-filled communications plan, reinforcing the confidence of locals that they do live in a strong and vibrant community and avoiding a sense of rural deprivation.

“And with so many visitors coming to the festival, and returning at other times of the year, the festival has made a substantial contribution to the local economy.”

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