A NEW support group for the annual Tavistock Music and Arts Festival has been successfully launched at Lewdown. Held in the garden of Bob and Ann Westlake, the new Friends of Tavistock Music and Arts Festival were serenaded by the Waters family on viola, violin, flute and keyboard and were able to see pictures by Celia Duncan, including one specially commissioned by next year?s festival. Christopher Kirwinm of Tavistock Forward, which promotes the festival, spoke of the need to place the event on a more secure financial footing: ?Next year?s festival is likely to cost around £20,000 to run and, with limited public funding available, it us unrealstic to expect to be able to raise that amount from ticket sales alone. ?Further, in order to secure artists? services, we need to be able to sign contracts ? hence the need for sponsorship and the support of our ?Friends?, in order to create a regular income stream.? Friends of Tavistock Music and Arts Festival membership is being offered at £100 per couple, £60 single ? there are also life memberships available. For more information contact Christopher Kirwin on 01822 859477 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]