Artistic Director Alan Bearman, retiring from his role as Artistic Director at Sidmouth this year after decades at the helm, says: “It’s been a great pleasure to have been involved with this festival for so long. Thanks to everyone who has made it possible. I know my successor Tash Daly is full of great ideas and I look forward to watching them being realised in future years.”

A huge thank you to Alan, and also to Ray and Bev Langton who are also stepping back from their role as Children’s Festival Producers. The Freedom of the Festival is rightly theirs.

(Pictured: Ray and Bev with Festival Director John Braithwaite)