I WOULD be most grateful if, through your newspaper, you would allow me to thank all the artists, audiences, dancers, musicians and other contributors from Tavistock, as well as from further afield, who helped make the ninth Tavistock Music and Arts Festival such an outstanding success in musical, artistic, dance, theatrical and literary terms — as well as a most enjoyable and uplifting event. 2011 will be remembered as a vintage year for both the town and 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.

The dates for the 2012 festival, our tenth, with the title 'Fast and Furious' have yet to be confirmed, due to the doubt about whether there will still be a May Day Bank Holiday, but it is likely to take place in the period between April 14 and May 7 — the experiment of a longer festival was successful, although over five weeks was too long! 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 (both the Tavistock Music Academy and the children's theatre day were particularly welcome this 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