NOW in its 54th year, the Church Stretton Arts Festival is seeking volunteers for its technical and drama teams.

With the positions of technical director and drama director both having recently come free, there is the need not only to fill these vacancies but also to build the supporting cast.

“The festival was established back in 1967 as an educational trust,” said Alan Stockbridge, chairman of the festival.

“We have no paid staff. Volunteers have always come forward to provide support to the festival, both during the year when planning and making arrangements as well as during the course of the two-week festival from Saturday, July 25, to Saturday, August 8 inclusive.

“As ever we strive to find those with the experience, knowledge, focus on working together and enthusiasm to make the festival so successful.

“There have always been local people who come forward to help.”

The role of the technical director is to ensure that the technical aspects of staging, sound and lighting at festival and the drama director’s job is to source, book and present a variety of drama and spoken word events at the festival. There is the need to work with a small team.