AS part of the Ashburton Aloe Festival there will be an evening of storytelling round the campfire.

Taking place from 4 pm to 5.30 pm on Saturday, June 27, The Last Outpost (of Empire) Speaks Back, will be presented by Howard Bradshaw. He will be reading the work of poet, Roy Campbell, and other South African voices.

Spokesperson, Pandora Long, told Weekend Witness eXplore: “We hold this event once a year in order to share the beauty of the Lower Mpushini Valley with visitors at a time when the wild Aloe Candelabrum are in full flower.”

Entry to the event, which is being held at Galago, is R30, which entitles the ticket holder to visit all of the five venues over the two day festival period. Children under 12 are free.

Snack platters will be on sale for R20.

The Festival itself takes place on June 27 and 28. Five beautiful bushveld venues will be open to the public between 9 am and 4 pm; and visitors can enjoy talks, self-guided trails, aloe sales, lunches, live music, a tea garden and pony rides and a birding trail.

Tickets to the festival are R30 for both days and children under 12 are free. All proceeds go towards conservation.