We have some very exciting news this year! The festival is coming together under one roof over only one weekend with all disciplines – except Dance, which sadly is unable to continue with us this Autumn. Lisa and Annie were exemplary in organising such an amazing spectacle bringing flamboyancy and delight to RWBAF but have had to step back. They will be greatly missed, and we wish to thank them, and all Dance Teachers who supported, for their valuable time with us.
As we move on, this year will see a myriad of different talents and skills from all disciplines bringing excitement and buzz to the weekend. You will have a golden opportunity to dip into performance rooms and enjoy a wide range of presentations. Singing, Piano and Instrumental Classes will be mixed with Classical Guitar, Speech & Drama and Musical Theatre bringing even greater variety to spectators.
We have wonderful Adjudicators joining us, some for the first time: Susan Clark (Piano); Amanda Cook (Guitar Queen with a silken touch!), Irene Grant-Jones (Voice); Richard Haslam (Voice and Instrumental); Peter Dayson, Tish Nicoll and Rebecca Thompson (Speech & Drama & Musical Theatre). We are privileged to have them with us. Do look at their glowing profiles.
New this Year! A Story Writing Competition, joining our Poetry and Radio Script Writing Competitions, for young authors School Years three to nine. We are delighted that celebrated local author Alex Evelyn whose children’s book The Secret Wild was such a huge success, will be judging these new classes. Do come and join us in The Street at 13.15 on Saturday 14th and on Sunday 15th November to share in the judging and celebrations. I hope competitors will also enjoy entering three Music Classes to compete for the Royal Jubilee Award, and three Speech & Drama Classes to compete for the Diamond Award. Both will be presented at the Highlights Concert alongside other prestigious awards when our President, the Mayor will be joining us. We hope too, you will enjoy our café and socialising with other families who are at the festival to share in the many classes offered in our 2026 Syllabus. Entries open on 1st September!
Performance of any sort is the shaping and foundation of young people’s lives and in turn this helps them to grow and gain confidence for the complex world we live in. We are delighted we can offer this opportunity to encourage them to excel. We are indebted to G4S and the Sixth Form for hosting us, and we thank our wonderful volunteers for their valuable support. We are also grateful to all teachers without whom we would not have a thriving and vibrant festival.
RWBAF aims to promote all Arts being taught and performed in Royal Wootton Bassett and surrounding areas. We liaise with local organisations, the Area Board, the Town Council, G4S and the Sixth Form at RWB Academy, and RWB & District Rotary Club. Their valuable support enables us to extend such opportunities to our community to develop their educational skills and keep the arts alive for succeeding generations.
The President and Committee very much look forward to welcoming you!
SANDRA McDOWELL
FESTIVAL CHAIR
Royal Wootton Basset Arts Festival is affiliated to The British & International Federation of Festivals
RWB Arts Festival 