Society

Bewdley Festival Society

Bewdley Festival Society was born in December 1987, when a public meeting held by Bewdley Town Council decided to launch an annual event “To bring the best into Bewdley and to bring the best out of Bewdley”.

The Festival has developed and expanded over the years thanks to the support and encouragement of the members of the Bewdley Festival Society, who aim to encourage the festival spirit throughout the year and raise vital funds to support the October Festival.

In return for a modest annual subscription members are offered:

• The chance to buy Festival tickets at a discount - before they go on sale to the general public.
• The opportunity to buy season tickets at the July Launch at a further discount.
• Entitlement to discounted corporate membership of The Ramada Hotel Leisure Centre.
• An invitation to at least one free event, usually the launch of the new Festival programme
• Discounts at many local retailers.
• The opportunity to win cash prizes monthly through the 'Festival 100 Club'.
• Social events and regular newsletters.
• The chance to assist in running the Festival, if you wish.

Those involved in taking that initial bold step could hardly have envisaged – during the first chaotic year - the important place which the Festival has come to hold in the life of the town.

Artists from every discipline have performed to appreciative Festival audiences since then: musicians, dancers, poets, magicians, famous actors and talented speakers of widely differing persuasions have entertained, amused and enthralled us during each week-long October Festival.

A separate ‘Fringe’ of events – not governed by the Festival, but related by intent – are also offered in the town during the same week: folk groups, solo artists and street theatre companies perform at various venues and add significantly to the attractions.