A FORMER president of a music and arts festival in Basingstoke is encouraging new members to come forward and join the committee.

Angela Hurley, who is now 82, was the president of the Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival for ten impressive years and they are now in need of new members.

The festival was established in 1963 and is organised annually by a small group of dedicated volunteers.

SEE ALSO: Former village pub reopens despite controversial plans to redevelop the building into private home

The idea behind the festival is to provide a platform where competitors can appear before an audience and receive a critique enabling them to improve their performance in various different areas including string, choir, creative writing, reocrders, singing, drama and many more.

Angela said: "This year, two of our valued committee members will be retiring and we would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to join us. The Festival has taken place annually since 1963; having taught at Kempshott Junior School for nearly 20 years and run the choir orchestra, recorder and keyboard groups, I know that there is a lot of talent in Basingstoke. I would truly love to hear from anyone who wants to help keep the Festival alive."

Angela said the festival is really important to those who enter and take part.

She added: "I have seen first hand what a positive impact the Festival has had on the children (and parents) of Basingstoke and cannot stress how valuable I believe encouraging creativity in youth is, especially in today’s uncertain climate."

Angela was president of the festival up until she was 80-year-old.

She added: "I only gave up being president when I was 80 because I thought I was getting too old but it has really been my life.

“My husband was in the army, and we moved back to Basingstoke in 1974 and since my husband died it has really given me all my social occasions, being able to go there and be part of it has been wonderful.

“It really is like a big family and we do need some young blood coming in. I love it and I will continue going to the annual general meeting until I can’t move."

The annual festival took place in March this year.

READ MORE: WATCH: Thousands take part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Basingstoke

She added: “Congratulations to the committee of the Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival, who ensured its survival during the pandemic and put on such a marvellous concert at the end of March. The performers reached a superb standard; we congratulate them and thank their dedicated parents who made it possible."

For more information and to join the committee visit: basingstokemusicandarts.org.uk.