I WOULD be most grateful if, through your newspaper, you would allow me to thank all the artists, audiences, musicians and other contributors from Tavistock, as well as from further afield, who helped make the tenth Tavistock Music and Arts Festival such an outstanding success in musical, artistic, theatrical and literary terms — as well as a most enjoyable and uplifting event. 2012 will be remembered as a vintage year for both the town but also for the neighbouring area.

Especially, I would like to pay tribute to all the Tavistock and other local businesses that sponsored the event so generously and constructively. The majority of events were well supported, which was very pleasing.

I am also most grateful for the involvement this year of the National Trust, both Buckland Abbey, Garden and Estate and Cotehele, Calstock Arts, Kelly House and the Tamar Valley AONB.

The dates for the 2013 Festival, our tenth birthday Festival, have yet to be finally confirmed, but it is likely to take place in the period between April 19 and May 6. So I ask our patrons to please pencil those dates into your diaries now.

Further, I would be very keen to hear from any organisations and individuals who would like to be involved next year, either as performers and contributors, or as sponsors, fundraisers, steering group members or other helpers. Please contact me via the details below, if interested.

Christopher Kirwin

Chairman, Tavistock Music and Arts Festival