Behind the Scenes

The festival runs for just four hours, but it takes alot longer to organise. In fact planning for the next one starts just weeks after the last one finishes. Here`s a look behind the scenes.

The festival has a beating heart - its committee of volunteers led by co-ordinator Jane Emery. Without
them there would be no festival. Some, including Jane, have been involved since the event was launched back in 2008. Others have since joined bringing new ideas and expertise.

Committee members each have a dedicated role. One organises the stalls which are such a huge part of the evening. Two others look after the entertainment in the Bradbury Hall and the Outside Arena - a job which has its challenges in finding the acts which are another vital part of the festival.

Someone else has responsibility for the Prize Draw, sourcing prizes from local businesses, organizing the tickets and, most important of all, finding potential charities to be supported which the committee will
later vote on. And public events like the festival have to have licenses and comply with local council regulations on safety. It`s a big job for another committee member.

Producing and editing this programme is a job for another with someone else handling the advertising. A third organises the distribution into every letter box in the community helped by a team of other volunteers.

On the day there is much to do. Setting up barriers and road signs. Putting up lanterns on the stalls containing batteries installed, and later taken out, at special "battery parties". Coloured lights go up on
the alleyway to Cardigan Road. A tricky job involving ladders.

During the evening volunteers will keep an eye on everything including the rubbish bins. And at the end of the evening it all has to come down and be packed away in readiness for next year.

Interested in volunteering?

Contact: janeemery1951@gmail.com