I WOULD like to express my gratitude to all the willing volunteers involved in the recent Cowbridge Book Festival.

From the team who installed the equipment for the fun day to Dorne Harris and her band of helpers who were responsible for the wonderful refreshments throughout the week, many thanks. Without your support the festival simply would not have happened!

I would like to thank all the participating authors and publishers who responded, once again giving their time freely and with great enthusiasm to this fledgling festival.

The festival would not have been possible without the help and co-operation of Sally Perini and her team at the Old Hall, the Reverend Heather Weddel and members of the United Free Church, Claire Sheehy and the management at the Bear Hotel, John and Mathew at the Duke of Wellington, and Natalie Isaac and the staff of The Quarter Penny Café. Jaci Harries, Chris Howard, Russell Thompson, Pam Robbins, Rebecca Lloyd James and Dave Allen all proved to be effective and articulate moderators, ensuring that all events ran smoothly.

The impressive photographic exhibition was the work of Mike Davies and Dave Allen.

Maggie Cooper and her stallholders created a great atmosphere at The Gruffalo family fun day, while Hugh and Sarah Bunkum’s team made sure there was plenty of fun and games for the children. An invasion of “mini-Gruffalos” was due to the facepainting skills of the staff of the Foundations Nursery – all money raised by this dedicated band of people is greatly appreciated.

Equipment for the fun day was lent by the Vale Rural Events Network, and this was co-ordinated very efficiently by Sarah Jones and Rebecca Haves, who also helped with promotion of the festival through social media.

It was good to have the support of the Cowbridge Record Society and Dick Tonkin’s History Walks were very popular as was the CADS production of The Squire of Gadshil.

Our thanks to Ticketline UK, who provided a wonderful service ensuring we were able to distribute tickets to a much wider audience this year. Jackie and Janet at David Barnes (drycleaners) were also very helpful in selling tickets.

We are indebted to Jon and Angela Munn of Janda Photography who are responsible for our website.

We are very grateful for financial support from the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Alchemy Wealth Management and Naturally Woodlands, Brynna, South Wales and all those who so generously sent donations.

Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to the team at the Penarth Times and Barry & District News who have supported us throughout with great enthusiasm and encouragement.

I am sure readers will be delighted to hear that the efforts of all these people have been rewarded with an anticipated £12,500 raised. Donations to The Noah’s Ark Appeal Children’s Hospital of Wales and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research will be made shortly.

Stella Cheeseman Co-ordinator Cowbridge Book Festival