The Draig Beats Festival returns to Treborth botanic gardens on Saturday 8 June, when the gardens will be filled with fantastic music across three stages, revellers enjoying vegetarian food, children exploring the ancient woodlands and meadows, families learning drumming and dance together, and so much more.

The Festival is organised by friends and colleagues of Dr Sophie Williams, a former Bangor University lecturer, who contracted Japanese encephalitis while on fieldwork in China in 2015.

The aim to raise money to help support Sophie to live at home in North Wales, following 4 years of intensive care, rehabilitation and placements in multiple care homes.

Draig Beats ran for the 1st time last year and raised more than £15,000 for the Sophie Williams Trust – the fund set up to pay for the adaptations needed for Sophie to return to her home near Tregarth.

Julia Jones, professor of conservation at Bangor University said: “Sophie has always had a talent for bringing people together. As a student at Bangor University, she was involved in raising money and campaigning to support the botanic gardens. When she fulfilled her dream and became a lecturer at the University, she was deeply involved in the garden every day.

“It is so fitting that Sophie’s creative and talented friends are running their festival, Draig Beats, at Treborth. This time it is raising money both for the Sophie Williams Trust and Treborth Botanic Gardens.”

Sophie partner Dr Robert Annewandter said: “The success of last year’s Draig Beats left us overwhelmed. The atmosphere was brilliant and the money raised is so important as it will help Sophie finally to move home. Sophie greatly appreciates the incredible support from her friends, colleagues and the wider community.”

This year’s festival is going to be even bigger and better than last year. Natalie Chivers, the curator of the botanic garden said: “We have such a diverse range of acts from the Threnody community choir, to well known world music groups Drymbago and Baka Beyond.

“There will be lots for everyone with a range of workshops and a wellbeing area. A community circus and the forest school Wild Elements will be putting on activities for children. The garden is looking lovely so do come and join us. See you there!”

Draig Beats is a family friendly festival on the 8th June at Treboth Botanic Garden from 10:00am to 9:00pm. For more information and tickets please see: http://draigbeats.wales/

Live bands and DJs across three music stages • Syrcas Cimera • Workshops • Wellbeing Area • Wild Elements Forest School • Tea & Cake Stalls • Home Cooked Vegetarian Food • Fully Licensed Bar • Much more to be announced

Children under 12 FREE. Tickets £25 on the door of £20 in advance.

As access to the Garden is limited organisers are asking people to travel by public transport if possible, there will be a free park and ride scheme from Bangor City Football Club on Holyhead Road and bus pick up from Bangor Uinversity Brambell Building on Deniol Road (NO PARKING!) in walking distance from the train station.

Access by car will be limited to Blue Badge holders only,

To comply with the law and for general event safety:
No alcohol to be brought onto site • No glass • No unaccompanied children under 18 • No dogs