ORGANISERS of the Old Town Festival are on the hunt for a new chairman.

Yesterday, current chairman, Coun Brian Mattock, reflected on another successful year’s events, but said he has decided to step down after six years in charge.

A new leader will be chosen at the Old Town Festival committee’s annual general meeting (AGM), at The Kings, on Wood Street, Old Town, on September 20, at 7pm and anyone can put themselves forward.

The 10-day festival culminated in a weekend that included a parade through the streets of Old Town and party on The Lawns on Saturday and events at the Town Gardens, including a heat of Swindon Talent 2010, yesterday.

Organisers estimate between 30,000 and 40,000 people attended events over the whole period of the festival, which has been running for around 20 years.

Coun Mattock (Con, Old Town and Lawn), who has been on the committee for seven years, said he was pleased to have gone out on a high.

He said: “The weather always plays a big part in festivals like this, but the range of activities and events we had this year was the biggest seen in the Old Town Festival and the crowds were a reflection of that.”

Coun Mattock highlighted the festival dinner on Friday night, for which tickets could have sold twice over, and the visit of Mickey and Minnie Mouse from America to lead Saturday’s procession.

“It was absolutely superb to see them leading the parade and recognising the beginning of that twinning with Swindon,” he said.

Coun Mattock is stepping down from the committee to devote more time to his other voluntary roles and because he felt it was time to give someone new the opportunity to take the festival in a different direction.

He said he would still be happy to give advice to the committee if it was needed.

“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be chair of the festival for the last six years,” he said.

“My grateful thanks to the committee members who have supported me and made the event so incredibly successful.”

He added that he believed the festival would go from strength to strength.

“Once a year it seems that the whole of the community and residents, particularly in Old Town, but it has gone wider, come together,” said Coun Mattock.

“I have had so many people say that it’s ridiculous but they have seen their neighbours that they never see during the week, or month, or year.

“Everyone comes together and community spirit that perhaps we all forget has been rekindled.”

Anyone interested in a role helping to organise the Old Town Festival can put their case forward at the AGM, but anyone who would like to find out more about what duties this would entail can call Coun Mattock on 01793 522540.