How you can help

Helpers

Over the years we have been fortunate to have a large number of volunteers acting as adjudicator's stewards, door and hall stewards, marshals, certificate scribes and ticket and souvenir sellers. We rely on our volunteers for the smooth operation of each festival day.

The pool of helpers needs replenishing as volunteers retire. The tasks are not onerous — helping for just three to four hours will give you great joy watching and helping new talent perform.

Finance

The cost of running the festival increases each year. The Borough Council no longer helps us cover the cost of hiring premises, so we must raise more finance in future. You can help by:

• Making a donation
• Becoming a Patron (£10 per year) — Patrons have voting rights
• Sponsoring a class (£25 per year)
• Becoming a Benefactor (£50 per year) — Benefactors receive a free festival programme, information about the festival and free access to all classes during the festival, including the Final Concert

Any help of this nature can be increased in value if you are a UK taxpayer, by signing a simple Gift Aid form.

Computer assistance

We really do need help with our web-based systems and the computer-based scheduling of classes. Anyone with web experience and/or Microsoft Word and Access knowledge, please step forward.

Contact Derek on 07711 059314 or email starlingnest@gmail.com. Thank you.