ORGANISERS of this year’s Devizes Arts Festival are celebrating a fortnight of top notch shows and only a few glitches along the way.

Festival chairman Margaret Bryant said: “I am delighted with how the Devizes Arts Festival has gone this year.

“We sold over 3,000 tickets and money wise we are pretty much on a par with last year’s record takings.

“The most noticeable thing this year was the feel-good factor from people at events; many spoke very positively about the shows which they attended.

“Staging 32 events over two weeks is like running a small company; the planning, negotiating, marketing and managing everything is done by an energetic and dedicated group of volunteers who work tremendously hard.

It can be disappointing when some events do not go well as expected, but the ambitious efforts from the volunteer committee means that we bring new, high quality professional acts - from beyond the region, offering huge variety and great value for money.”

She made light of the most difficult moment of the fortnight when sell-out act comedian Edy Byrne contacted organisers to say he had broken down on the M25 and was not going to make it to Devizes.

She said: “The most memorable event this year will be Ed Byrne & Friends ……..or actually, just Friends.

“Ed broke down on the M25 in torrential rain and traffic jams – the RAC took over four hours to get to him.

“The great news is, that Ed will be coming to Devizes on Wednesday, September 11.”

She said that anyone holding a ticket can use it to attend. For those unable to attend a full refund will be made. There is a waiting list at Devizes Books where returned tickets will be allocated to those who have registered their interest.

She said: “The committee is extremely grateful for support from all our sponsors and Lead Sponsor Grist Environmental as well as Awdry Bailey & Douglas, Wadworth and Brogans Café.

“Our thanks also go to Devizes Town Council for venues and support staff and technical assistance from Fantasy Radio, Light & Sound and ESP.

“Plans are now underway for the 2020 Festival, and I am delighted to announce that in advance of that we have a one-off, high profile music event on November 8 in the Corn Exchange.”