THERE was cause for celebration recently for Carol Thompson, the organiser of the Herefordshire Performing Arts Festival.

At the annual British and International Federation of Festivals Conference held recently in Belfast, Carol was presented with a Gold Award for 50 years' service to the Festival Movement.

Carol's first festival was in 1965, when she worked under Bunty Fildes, the then organiser.

She completed her 50th festival in March this year and in the interim years she has carried out most jobs, from making the tea, to typing certificates and stewarding.

In 1996 she became the organiser of the 62nd festival and is in the process of organising the 81st festival which will take place in March 2015.

From left: Bernard Atha, president and Margaret Venables, chairman of the federation making the presentation to Carol Thompson.