Ryedale District Council supports the Ryedale Festival.

We welcome Robin Andrews, already a popular and much-valued Board member, as our new Chairman. Robin returned to Ryedale 25 years ago after having been educated here. He is an experienced figure in the business world – with successful companies involved in finance, and international mining and oil exploration – and will bring to the Festival the commercial expertise without which no artistic enterprise can flourish. But he also has practical experience of the arts, playing the piano, as a tenor (with the Simeon Singers and the Ampleforth and Ryedale Choir) and as an actor: many will remember his wonderfully regal cameo of George V in Elgar’s Rondo at the 2007 Festival. Chris Glynn and he have already had long discussions and exchanged many ideas about the future of the Festival. We all know that there are difficult economic times ahead, but it can safely be said that with Robin and Chris guiding us, we embark upon these choppy waters with enthusiasm.

John Warrack, President

Photograph: Robin Andrews in the 2010 Rydale Festival production of 'Goodbye to All That'.  Photographer: John Illingsworth.