All the world's a stage for new Ludlow festival
Offers of help have been made from across the world to establish a new arts festival in Ludlow.
People from as far afield as the USA and Asia have thrown their support behind plans for a new event next summer to replace the axed Ludlow Festival. In total more than 100 people, including many from across Britain, have pledged to sign up for a new group to lead the festival forward.
A public meeting will be held at Ludlow Brewery on Thursday to discuss plans for the new event and its future direction.
Enthusiasts behind the scheme are also keen to maintain the festival's traditional link with the work of William Shakespeare in some form.
Ludlow Festival folded last week after being held in the town for more than 60 years.
Crippling
Organisers claimed the torrential rain during the summer – which caused an open air production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing to be cancelled at short notice despite 800 tickets being sold in advance – led to crippling losses which meant the event was no longer viable.
Diane Lyle, who is leading the efforts , said: "We have heard from more than 100 people who are prepared to keep in touch by having their names added to a database, which is really encouraging.
"There are also people who have offered us their specialist expertise and time to carry out tasks which will need to be done to get the event off the ground.
"We have also had a lot of support from individuals and businesses locally, and we also have a meeting lined up with people at Ludlow Castle next week."
Thursday's meeting will start at 7.30pm and all are welcome.
By Peter Kitchen
