After three evenings of competition, the awards were presented on Saturday evening to the winners of the 77th annual Herefordshire County Drama Festival. The festival, held at The Courtyard, saw nine teams competing before a large and enthusiastic audience and seeking the approval of Jane Levan, a member of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators. When Jane’s final judgements were made, the awards and trophies were presented by George Powell, the recently appointed President of the Herefordshire County Drama Festival organisation.

The Festival winners were The Studio Players for their production of A Dance Around the Handbags by Frank Ryding, who also won the Andrews Shield for best original play, and the runners up were Exit Fool Productions with their original play, Land of Mines by Antony Jenkins, which also won the Champagne Moment Award and a best actor award for David Thomas. These two productions now qualify to represent the county at the Western Division Final of the All England Festival at The Highbury Theatre Centre, Sutton Coldfield on April 12.

Third place was taken by Eardisley Little Theatre Club with Darlings You Were Wonderful by Derek Lomas, for which Annie Rees took The Thinghill trophy for best actress.