Rhos‑on‑Sea in North Wales had previously hosted two international puppet festivals, in 1963 and 1968, the latter directed by puppeteer Chris Somerville, who also played a major role in organising the Guild’s 1998 festival. This 1998 event became especially significant: the Guild’s large‑scale festivals came to an end in the early 2000s, making it the last to feature multiple performances alongside a full exhibition. It marked the close of an era in which the Guild’s festivals served as major national gatherings for puppeteers and puppetry enthusiasts.
