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A very big thank you to all those who have contributed towards the Festival’s success over the years.
The Trustees would like to thank:
All the committee members over the years who have given their time to organise the Festival.
Particular gratitude is owed to Bob McLatchie, who was instrumental in founding the Festival in 1977 and has been active in organising the Festival in roles such as Chairman and President ever since. Also to the late Graham Blyth, a long-time supporter of the Festival and Chairman from 2014 to 2020, who made the Hall at Challow Park, with its exceptional pianos and organ, available after the previous venue at St Mary’s School was closed in 2007.
The volunteers who helped to ensure the smooth running of the Festival weekends each year, undertaking such tasks as manning the doors and welcome desk, assisting the adjudicator with sheet music, certificates and mark sheets, producing refreshments etc.
Our sponsors and those who have donated grants or prizes, including:
Arts-Hub Wantage
The Challow Park Music Trust
Challow Park Studios
Co-operative Society Community Fund
The Guild of King Alfred Players
John Lewis & Partners
Kutana Ltd
Opera Unmasked
Vale of White Horse District Council
Waitrose
The Wantage Bunting Project
Wantage Town Council
as well as other sponsors who prefer to remain anonymous.
Thank you also to 34SP.com, who offer free Web hosting for charities and have been very patient when we have needed support.
Thanks must also go to:
Our highly experienced adjudicators, who have encouraged many with their helpful tips and advice.
Our versatile accompanists, who have so ably supported our entrants whatever their choice of music.
Those teachers, parents and friends who have helped and encouraged our entrants during their rehearsals and performances,
Our supportive audiences who helped to provide a sense of occasion.
And, most of all we would like to thank our entrants who have had the courage to submit themselves to an adjudicator’s judgement in public. Their performances have brought joy to our audiences and all have learnt from the adjudicators’ comments. Without our entrants there would have been no Festival!