We have set three aims for the Festival, these are:
The idea for the Festival started with a chance meeting with David Leech.
We got talking and after a while he mentioned that he worked as a puppeteer and puppet & toy manufacturer and that he had an idea of bringing a Puppet Festival to Stone, we discussed this and I thought that it sounded like a good event that would bring some entertainment to the Town.
So, after a few weeks of meeting together, we arranged a meeting with Adam Jones the proprietor of Granville’s Brasserie and invited a representative of the Town Council, as well as the Chairman of the British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild. After a successful meeting, everyone agreed that this sounded like a feasible idea and we set the ball in motion moving this forward.
We have had great support from the Town Council, A Little Bit of Stone and the Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.
After many months of meetings, planning’s, ups and downs, we now have in place the following:
David and I have spent many weeks fundraising and negotiating reasonable fees with all the performers and suppliers by obtaining the very best rates we can.
There has been significant personal funding from both the organizers and generous donations from a number of companies and other individuals. We are also trying to raise money by other means such as Raffles and Ticket Sales but we do need to ask the community for some financial support.
If we can raise £4000 or more, we can make this an affordable event. The shows on the High Street will be free of charge, the exhibitions will be free of charge and the performances in the hotel will be at prices families can afford.
By pledging even just a small amount, not only will you benefit from one of the many exclusive rewards on offer more importantly you will have contributed to a unique and highly creative festival experience that will bring many benefits to everyone who attends, participates and to the town as a whole for a long time to come.
Are articles and interviews can be found on the following:
http://www.stonegazette.co.uk/2015/04/stone-puppet-festival-update/
http://alittlebitofstone.com/tag/stone-puppet-festival/
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Thunderbirds-Stone-Puppet-Festival/story-26465720-detail/story.html
All our latest information and event iternary can be found on our websitewww.stonepuppetfestival.co.uk and https://www.facebook.com/stonepuppetfestival