Westbury Festival under threat

ORGANISERS of Westbury’s well-loved festival fear it may fold unless more volunteers are found.

The festival organisers are holding their annual general meeting on Wednesday 30th November at 7pm at the Laverton. The festival, which has been going for almost 20 years, has become the high point in the town’s arts and entertainment calendar.

Held every autumn, it has offered a wide range of music, workshops, talks, films and special events for both children and adults.

Past highlights have included a sell-out talk by TV celebrity the Yorkshire Shepherdess, a secret cinema served up with cream teas, free lunchtime concerts, poetry workshops and much more.

Music offerings have ranged from rock and pop through to choral music, opera, folk and organ recitals.

The festival has worked with a range of local organisations from the town council through to churches, the library and the museum.

“We have always endeavoured to provide a wide range of events and activities to ensure there is something for everyone, and it has always proved very popular,” explained Ian Cunningham, who has chaired the festival for more than a decade. But he now fears the festival may not be staged next year due to lack of volunteers.

“It would be such a shame if the festival were to fold, but we have a dwindling band of volunteers taking on all the organisation and it is proving almost impossible to manage,” said festival secretary, Brenda Pyne.

“Whatever skills or time you have available, we would love you to join the team and ensure the festival can carry on and go from strength to strength,” said Ian Cunningham, who is urging everyone to attend the festival AGM.

Volunteers are needed for a range of jobs from admin through to publicity, organisation of events, manning ticket sales or stewarding.

For those that would like to help but cannot attend the meeting please contact info@WestburyFestival.org.uk or chair@westburyfesrival.org.uk