Ludlow Fringe Festival appeals for volunteers amid funding struggle

Anita Bigsby has handed over the organisation of the festival to Jessie Laurie and the Assembly Rooms team

The new organisers of Ludlow's Fringe Festival are appealing for help in running some of its free events.

It was launched 12 years ago as an addition to the town's arts festival but grew in popularity and attracted large crowds.

Next summer, the Assembly Rooms venue has taken over the running of the festival to give the long-standing organiser Anita Bigsby a break.

The 2024 festival is set to take place from 13 to 23 June.

Theatre manager Jessie Laurie told BBC Radio Shropshire that while the "variety of accessible and sensibly-priced events" draws in people to the town, funding had proved challenging.

'Rely on goodwill'

"The application processes for the Arts Council are really gruelling and we here at the Assembly Rooms don't have anybody dedicated to trying to get that sort of funding.

"We very much rely on the goodwill of local people and a big army of brilliant volunteers as well," she said.

Ms Laurie added that the aim was to mirror the festival experience of previous years, but that it would be on a smaller scale with limited resources.

"It would be amazing if any members of our community felt compelled to help make it happen," she said.