After two and a half very successful years firstly as Administrator and then as Festival Producer at the Presteigne Festival, Alison Porter made her last 'official' appearance at the Launch Party for the 2010 Festival early in July. Artistic Director, George Vass, commented that Alison had brought a new professionalism to the administrative side of the Festival and that during their partnership together, many new initiatives had been forged – the Creating Landscapes education and outreach project had been developed and was now in full swing; the first Presteigne Festival Competition for Composers had happened (new links have been formed with the Birmingham Conservatoire and Dominic Horne – whose father is commemorated in the now annual Alan Horne Composition Prize); the Festival had produced its very first five-year business plan, unveiled last August and new designers had been appointed for print (Andrew Giles) and for our brand new website (Groovytrain). These are huge achievements for a small organisation, and it is hoped that Alison's vision for the Festival will live long into the future.
Alison commented 'It has been an amazing journey for me; the last couple of years have been full of excitement, discovery and huge achievements. I'm so grateful to George Vass, Annie Nethercott and the Festival board for giving me this wonderful opportunity and feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of such a special Festival. I'll never forget all the things I've learned and all the amazing people I've met – I'm touched by the warmth and kindness of all the people involved and will miss Presteigne a great deal'.
Currently the post of Festival Producer is being filled by Alison Giles, a very old friend of the Festival who has been part of the front-of-house team for many years. Alison will remain in post until the end of September, when it is hoped that a suitable candidiate will have been found to take over the role on a more permanent basis. Alison Porter was appointed General Manager to the London-based contemporary opera and music theatre company The Opera Group earlier this year. We wish her every success for the future and look forward to welcoming her back as a member of the Festival audience in August.