±«Óãtv

Half term can often be a time of mass head-scratching as harassed parents rack their brains for something fresh and interesting to entertain their little ones.

This year the cultural group Artbeat Brecon appears to have the ultimate answer for distraction, with a week-long programme of arts and crafts events which will captivate children and parents alike.

The second annual Brecon Art Festival is taking place at various venues across the town and runs until October 30.

The festival sees Brecon's wealth of arts studios and galleries opening their doors to visitors to demonstrate and exhibit a range of artistic endeavours. Most days see jewellery-making and craft demonstrations from local artists and many of the town's traders have joined in to display artwork in their windows as part of the festival.

Meanwhile hands-on workshops include stained glass making, paper mosaic pictures, percussion, mask making, life drawing, poetry and cartoons, with events running most days.

The stained glass making class is being led by Caroley Bergman at the cathedral's Tithe Barn and will teach copper foiling and leaded work. Caroley also works in mosaics and has been commissioned to create many beautiful windows throughout her 30-year career, including the two light window at Llangunnor Church, near Carmarthen.

Throughout the week, visitors to the festival are asked to contribute to public arts boards outside St Mary's Church, using any form of media they wish to share their memories and impressions of Brecon. The finished boards will then go on show at the library throughout November.

Most evenings see live classical music events as part of the Brecon Baroque Festival, but there is also a jazz night at Theatr Brycheiniog on Tuesday, with trumpeter Chris Hodgkins and his quartet. On Wednesday Ian Milton shares a "miscellany" of Welsh stories, poems and songs with harp accompaniment at The Hours on Ship Street.

There will also be open mic events and an evening of poetry with Huw Parsons as well as an acoustic live event with Mike Peters from The Alarm.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday see a host of 'batty' activities for youngsters keen to learn more about the winged beasts living at Brecknock Museum and capture their thoughts in art form.

But it's not just about arts - the various techniques of flower arranging and bellringing will also be on display for those wishing to take part, with a demonstration at florist Becca Jane and bellringing at the belfry of St Mary's Church on Wednesday and Friday.

And a puppet show will bring the magic of pirates to life on Thursday as the Vagabondi Puppet Theatre stage A Pirate's Life For Me and a puppet making workshop with a treasure hunt.

The art of green woodwork will be demonstrated at St Mary's Church garden on Friday and Saturday by Gareth Irwin as he uses newly felled trees and branches and works them using hand tools and age-old techniques.

The week-long schedule of events is supported by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority's Collabor8 project.

Julia Blazer from Oh! is this year's festival co-ordinator and believes the enthusiasm is there to make the festival an annual event.

Nick Stewart of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said: "We are pleased to be working with and supporting Artbeat to put on the second Brecon Arts Festival.

"This is what Collabor8 is all about; people working together to deliver great visitor experiences that contribute to thriving destinations.

"Brecon Arts Festival 2011 helps those involved in the arts in whatever form tap into the growing market of visitors wanting to take part in enjoyable, creative experiences while on holiday."

For all the event and exhibition listings, pick up a free guide from around town (or from Oh!, 7 The Struet) or visit for a downloadable copy.