Post Festival Letter from Martin Bax, Festival Director
I was thrilled with this year's festival and with so many sell out concerts. Now in its seventh year people are really looking forward to, and anticipating the Festival, which has been reflected in the advance ticket sales. The festival is now firmly embedded in the cultural life of Frome. I was delighted that the Glastonbury edition of Venue magazine voted us number one in their ten great festivals, after Glastonbury, and the festival was second in the top five events in the Times. With a sensational first weekend, a super week and a splendid finishing weekend I can truly say it was an artistic triumph. I make no apology for my enthusiastic language, as I am excited with the undoubted success of this year's festival and for the future.
Its success is largely due to you, the public, who supported the festival by attending so many events. We had record attendance at the World Food Feast and afterwards everything was cleared up in record time thanks to the superb volunteers and you Festivalgoers all lending a helping hand. This year, we were pleased to welcome people from much further afield than in previous years and I am thrilled with the wonderful atmosphere around the town.
It was wonderful that this year we welcomed our friends from our twin towns of Chateau-Gontier and Murrhardt during the first weekend of the Festival, adding a European dimension. As you read this letter I am in France with the Summer School Festival production flying the falag for Frome playing in our twin town Cateau- Gontier and then on to Paris.
My heartfelt thanks go to those who provided vital sponsorship for the festival. Once again it reflected the generosity of Frome's companies and individuals, who have shown their courage and vision to support this great project. Your contribution has benefited the whole community. Without your help the festival would not have been possible and I am extremely grateful to you all.
Forgive me for not naming everyone involved but I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those dedicated volunteers who made the festival a resounding success. Without your time, help and support, there would be no festival. You know who you are and I thank you with all my heart.
Yours sincerely
Martin Bax MBE, Festival Director
2007 Reviews
