During her life Margaret Parkes was a dedicated and influential champion of many great causes and organisations. From its earliest days she was a great friend of Festival Arts. Holidays in Pembrokeshire from the 1960s onwards brought her into annual contact with Festival Arts and its performances. For many years she, her husband Sir Edward and her family would be a familiar sight in the audience at the Bishop's Palace as well as the many other venues we have used over our 40 years. An experienced teacher, lecturer and administrator she was a member of a host of educational committees and worked tirelessly on behalf of many voluntary organisations. A lecturer in Sociology at Homerton College, Cambridge, during the 1960s and 70s, over the years Lady Parkes was to have a wide influence upon the field of education. In addition to this Lady Parkes was a member of the Press Council and in 1984 she was appointed a BBC governor. It was with great sadness that we learned of her death in 2007.
During her life she was a tireless champion of both young people and the arts and it has been a great honour for us to have been granted a very generous bequest by Sir Edward and his family, to help support and develop the work of Festival Arts. The bequest has allowed us to do a number of important things for the company and its work. The purchase of new lighting and special effects equipment will help us to enhance our productions. We have also been able to purchase a number of very practical items that will help to make our off-stage living both easier and more enjoyable. On behalf of Festival Arts and its audiences may we take this opportunity to thank Sir Edward and his family for their generosity. Such a significant investment in our work has given everyone new impetus as we embark upon our 41st season.