Our People

Lucy is the Festival Chair, leading the committee of volunteers who run the Bedfordshire Festival.

Henry took part in the Festival from a young age, in singing, clarinet and piano. A Bedford Borough councillor since 2011, now Portfolio Holder for Town Centres and Planning, he is the Council’s appointee to the Committee. He teaches at Bedford School and performs locally as a conductor, singer and clarinettist.

Ellie became Festival Secretary in July 2023 after fifteen years in education, first as a primary school teacher and then leading health and wellbeing education in community learning. She has helped many children discover a love of the arts, and is keen to make music, speech and drama accessible to everyone.

Irina first came to the Festival as a parent in 2008, when both her daughters started entering Music and Speech and Drama classes. Having worked in education, she has always believed in the power of the performing arts for young people. When her daughters left for university, she joined the volunteers, then the Committee.

Bill is Chief Steward, having been Assistant Chief Steward from 2016 to 2018. A keen performer at university, he has appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe. He’s not a musician, but his daughters have performed in the Festival many times, and he has also supported it as a corporate sponsor.

Bob is the Treasurer – he counts notes but can’t play them! He first came to the Festival in 1974, to see his then girlfriend (now his wife!) at the Prize Winners’ Concert, today’s Gala Concert. He joined the Committee while his daughters were competing, and is still serving long after they left home.

Sally grew up in a musical family, playing violin and viola in school and County Orchestras in Suffolk. She came to Bedford in 1973 to train as a primary school teacher, with music as her main subject, and was part of the musical life of the schools where she taught. She is delighted to be part of the Festival.

Sue is one of the Festival’s two Trophies Secretaries, alongside Pete.

Pete is one of the Festival’s two Trophies Secretaries, alongside Sue.

A teacher of drama and music, copywriter and lifelong bookworm, Olivia competed in the Festival as a girl in piano, verse and prose, and choral classes. A classical pianist with a passion for musical theatre, she joined the Committee and became an official accompanist in 2020, and hopes to open the Festival’s doors even wider.

Manoj first came to Bedford in 1987, then built an IT career that took him around Europe and beyond. Bedford has been home for over 20 years, and he has long supported local charities for young people. He joined the Committee in 2023 to help shape its outreach and widen participation, and also helps with IT and fundraising.

Andrew is one of the newest members of the Festival Committee.