The 2005 Festival certainly merited being described as 'the all-singing, all-dancing HADCAF', with half of its 18 concerts involving singing, and with 5 dance workshops, a tea dance, and much rocking in the aisles at the Smokestack and Adam Winslet band gigs. 

However, the programme contained a great deal more to be enjoyed, with presentations by local amateur dramatic groups - involving some excellent performances by youngsters - as well as professional theatre, notably an eerily convincing performance by Philip York as the newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell. 

There was a range of stimulating talks, including a riveting account of Hannah McKeand's expedition to the South Pole, a very popular millinery demonstration, an entertaining look at word games, and a fascinating exploration of the ecology of a downland river, while Ned Trier (aka The Gluttonous Gardener), inspired us with his enthusiasm for planting to eat.  Another culinary highlight was the full English breakfast enjoyed by those who had risen early for Jonathan Pomroy's dawn walk on Freeman's Marsh.

There were workshops for dyers and felters, sculptors, guitarists, drummers and flower arrangers, and artists' studios and open gardens to visit. Thanks are due to all those who so generously shared their expertise. 

And there was instrumental music, ranging from orchestral to brass band; from piano, oboe, harpsichord and violin recitals to avant-garde soundscapes and musique concrete.  Performers included local professional and amateur musicians, among them a number of extraordinarily talented youngsters.

The Three Swans Hotel hosted the HADCAF Open Studios Exhibition throughout July, and its lawn and courtyard also provided an excellent central venue for many of the Carnival Day events organized by Hungerford Round Table.

It is a mark of HADCAF's ever-increasing popularity that in order to accommodate as many events as possible, no fewer than eight Festival evenings were double-bills that presented audiences with a choice of concert or other activity.

We were delighted that organizations within the community arranged events under the HADCAF umbrella: these included The Sandham Singers' concert at Sheepdrove, a film show and a performing arts contest organized by East Garston amenities group, Hungerford Twinning Association's wine tasting, the Methodist Church's Flower Festival, the Historical Association's Archive Room Open Afternoon, and the poetry lunch organized by the United Reformed Church.

HADCAF 2005 as always endeavoured to offer opportunities for local individuals and organizations to participate as well as bringing to the community performances of music and theatre that we would not otherwise be able to enjoy without travelling a considerable distance. Of course, none of it would be possible without the financial assistance of Hungerford Town Council, The Trustees of the Town and Manor of Hungerford, West Berkshire Council and Greenham Common Trust, together with the generous sponsorship of Kerridge in Hungerford and many other local businesses and individuals, to whom we are immensely grateful.  We are equally indebted to the staff of Newbury Building Society for providing their friendly and efficient box office service.

Many people give assistance behind the scenes, from putting up and taking down banners (thanks to Bill Bird of Grain Handling and Jon Roots) to getting venues ready (thanks especially to John Morgan in the Corn Exchange and Tony Scarlett in The Croft Hall). I should also like to express our gratitude to all who have provided practical assistance with refreshments, front of house duties, raffles, loan and transport of equipment, hanging and curating exhibitions, overseeing ticket printing, writing press releases, etc.  These wonderful people are (in no particular order): Sioban Coppinger, David Jones, Chris Turner, Peter Page, John Haigh, Ginny Ayers, Caroline Lumley, Ann Abbott together with Ray and Carol, Elaine Rumble, Joy Lovelock and friends, Jenny Holdstock, Janette Kersey, Wally Hunt, Julia Radbourne, Mansil Morgan, Margaret Wilson, Matt Groom, Nick Fritz and family, Hungerford Camera Club, United Reformed Church, Chilton Foliat Village Hall management committee, and Brian Davis who, in addition to his website expertise, took care of all the lighting with the enthusiastic help of his assistant Ali Erahdun.

Finally, my thanks to Catherine Hill, HADCAF Secretary, Nick Fritz, Treasurer, and Elizabeth Davis.

As always, we would welcome offers of help - however limited by other calls on your time - in 2006.  Please join us and help to make next year's Festival the best ever.

Beryl M J Fowler

Chairman

HADCAF 2005

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