Westbury Festival – what a year!

Westbury Festival had another very successful year. 

We had over 4,500 person visits to events and held, with the help of partners, over 60 opportunities for people to take part in something. Even the digging up of the centre of Westbury for the duration of the festival did not stop Westbury folk from showing up, although visits from outside of the town were down on previous years. 

We were also delighted by the number of community groups and businesses who took part in and organised events, as well as partners who let us use venues. 

We continued to run events outside of the festival period and hope to expand on that this year. 

We’d like to thank our sponsors;Westbury Town Council, who have again been the principal sponsor and Elkins Ford, Hills Group, HPH Commercial Property, Linden Homes and Lockheed Martin – all companies with a Westbury connection, who were festival sponsors. Without their support, we would have no festival. 

I would also like to offer special thanks on behalf of the whole committee to the White Horse News who have been so supportive of all that we do. 

Which brings me on to those who need the greatest thanks of all, the extraordinarily hard-working committee members: Radek Evans, Warren Harding, Peter Hiscock, Christine Jenkins, Ward Jones, Michael Pearce, Brenda Pyne, Mary Pyne, Jane Russ and Michael Piri-Thorne. If you recognise some of those names from other activities in which they are involved, it’s not surprising as they are the kind of people who are always supporting their community. I am proud to be associated with them. 

At our AGM, we decided that, despite the pressures on a small committee last year, we will, nonetheless, be running a “full” festival next year whilst trying to expand our activities during the year. We were delighted to welcome new committee members – we now have 6 fresh faces which is very exciting. It’s still not too late to join our committee for the 2020 season. We are a not-for-profit volunteer organisation 

We are also looking for ideas for events – particularly if you are a group that wants to organise something. And if you don’t have the time to be a committee member, we are also keen to find volunteers specially to help during the lead up to the festival. For instance, do you have a good place for a festival sign or poster, or could you help put them up? Could you help deliver leaflets, brochures etc. or do you have ways to help promote festival events? 

Thank you to all our supporters, friends, partners, sponsors, local businesses, groups and the people of Westbury and beyond for all your support. 

Happy New Year from everyone at Westbury Festival – www.westbury.festival.org.uk.