ONE OF Caerphilly’s newest and most ambitious music festivals attracted thousands of visitors this weekend as it aimed to raise money for a local charity.

The annual Bedwas Rocks, which started on Friday and finished on Saturday night, featured a fun run billed as “the brightest 5k run Wales has ever seen”. The event, blessed with beautiful summer sunshine, saw entrants, kitted out with protective eye wear, showered with brightly coloured powdered paint at each kilometre.

With sponsorship raised in aid of St David’s Hospice Care, the Color Run reached its limit of 250 within a couple of weeks of being announced and was a major attraction for this year’s festival.

The second annual Bedwas Rugby Club fundraiser offered local music and a wide range of attractions, including a climbing wall, surfing machine, bouncy castle, archery and a magician.

The WRU hosted workshops to help youngsters improve their game, while the 157 (Welsh) Regiment set up a giant inflatable army assault course. Caerphilly Fire Station brought along a fire engine and sponsor GE Aviation organised a treasure hunt.

Ron Davies, Bedwas RFC’s commercial manager, said: “This is a unique music festival. Not only is there music across a variety of genres, there are exciting activities for the whole family. It raises the profile of the club and brings in money for a distinguished charity.”

St David’s community and events fundraiser, Franca Nigro, said the charity wanted to keep its events fresh and exciting for supporters and, after seeing the Color Run taking place in other places in the UK, thought it was time it came to Wales.

She said:“St David’s are extremely grateful to Bedwas RFC for their support and were very excited about hosting the Color Run alongside the Bedwas Rocks Festival. It’s a fantastic family event.”

Following the Saturday morning Color Run, eight hours of continuous live music featured sets from a Stereophonics tribute band and The Kamikazee Millionaires from Ebbw Vale.