THE 2024 Presteigne Festival has been declared an unqualified success over all 25 events, including a bumper year for ticket sales, with 84 per cent seat occupancy over the whole five-day period.

Alongside events in Presteigne, the festival also arranged concerts at church venues in Bleddfa, Discoed, Leintwardine and at Leominster Priory. 

Held over five days, from August 22-26, the focus on English composer Benjamin Britten proved to be hugely popular and, with Richard Blackford as composer-in-residence, new music was also very prevalent. There were premieres of no fewer than 16 works, of which 11 were specially commissioned for the festival.

Beyond the exceptional programme, which included no fewer than 13 concerts of orchestral, choral, chamber, instrumental and vocal music, the festival offered a diverse range of other arts events. These included screenings of three Wales-produced films (in partnership with Presteigne Screen), readings and talks from notable figures such as Sioned Davies, Thomas Hyde, Rhiannon Mathias, Nicholas Murray, Gavin Plumley, Oliver Soden and Peter Sutton. Nature enthusiasts also enjoyed a bat walk, organised in collaboration with the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust.

Local galleries and attractions contributed to the festival with other arts-based activity including exhibitions at the Sidney Nolan Trust and the Presteigne Open Studios weekend which showed work by 36 local artists and makers, including several supported by the Sidney Nolan Trust youth arts programme.

County Times:

Artistic director George Vass said: “At a time when many arts organisations in the UK are facing significant challenges, it was truly uplifting to witness such incredible support for the Presteigne Festival this year.

“The atmosphere in the town was fantastic and our visiting audience and artists were made to feel welcome as always.

“The festival simply wouldn't be possible without the continued dedication of our regular festival hosts and volunteers – we feel extremely lucky to have Presteigne as our home.”