QUEEN Victoria arrived in Llandrindod Wells by train for the start of this year’s  Victorian Festival, where she was welcomed by the Town Mayor, Councillor Steve Deeks D’Silva.

Among the officials who greeted her at the railway station was Jane Dodds MP, who later opened this year’s Victorian Festival.

 The 38th Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival was opened on Monday by Jane Dodds MP. She was accompanied by  Queen Victoria, alias Rita Clews, along with other officials at the town’s bandstand.

Competitors lined up in some super costumes for the children’s fancy dress competition on Monday during the start of the Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival.

First place was taken by  Jeminia Jones, followed in second place by Seren Hughes and in third place was Idris Antmons.

 The Llandrindod Wells Mr and Mrs Llandrindod Wells competition was part of the town’s festival and this was won by a real husband and wife from Llandilo. Queen Victoria presented Janet and Roger Bailey with their respective trophies at the conclusion of the competition on the town bandstand.

 As part of the Llandrindod Wells 38th Victorian Festival the Powys Radnor Woman’s Institute staged a week long arts and crafts exhibition in the Hotel Metropole in Llandrindod Wells entitled Bees and Trees.

The event was officially opened by the National Vice Chairman of the Federation Ann Jones, who comes from Ceredigion.

She cut a ribbon together with some of the members who organised the event including the county chairman. The theme of the event was Bees and Trees which fits in with the Welsh Federation of Women’s Institutes which is trying to help  plant and measure thousands of urban trees throughout the Principality.