Introducing
Julie Beckett
Julie is director of the Festival. She is a radio producer working on the Archers and has also worked for BBC Education. Her two children both attend, the youngest members at 13 and 9! She directs the Palace play.
Joye Beckett MBE
Joye is our costume mistress and co-founded the Festival with her husband Jack. She has done every possible job in her thirty plus years of association with Festival, including some splendid performances on stage, cooking and dogged publicity. Her costumes add a huge amount to the plays and she works to a remarkably tight budget. Popular opinion has it that she's the most worthy recipient ever of the MBE!
Hugh Clixby
Hugh is Julie's husband and manages the money - no small task. As part of this he also works hard on front of house, and is very good with large queues outside the palace! He also organises the food for the company, cooking, along with David, they both welcome any help offered.
Jenny Baines
Jenny acts as producer and stage management co-ordinator. She also makes the props. She was a founder member of Festival and directs the children's play. For the rest of the year she is an infant teacher.
Colin Baines
Colin is another founder member, and musical director. His music has added a crucial element to the Festival from the beginning, widening the scope of what we are able to do. He is an expert at showing people who say they can't sing that they actually can perform well! He's a freelance composer, choirmaster, musical director and accompanist for the rest of his time.
David Hird
David joins us fresh from his primary school in Liverpool each year, and is a stalwart and creative cook. He also often quietly attends to matters of pastoral care among the younger members.