What happened at Buxton Fringe's latest AGM

Buxton Fringe have announced two new appointments at its recent annual general meeting, held via Zoom this year.

Viv Marriott was voted in as vice-chair, while Sandra Jowett became treasurer. 

Stephen Walker was re-elected as chair, with Gaye Chorlton staying as secretary. 

Former vice-chair, Maria Carnegie, a long-standing Fringe committee member, remains a trustee of the charity.

Stephen welcomed several Fringe performers attending the AGM and looked back on ‘a year like no other’ in which a rush of entries in June vindicated the Fringe’s decision to go ahead with a mainly online programme. 

He acknowledged: “While there was much to celebrate, there has been a real sadness in not being able to put on a normal Fringe.”

He added: “We are devastated for all those that have worked on their art and performances and have been left with no means of getting them before an audience. 

“We hope that we see them all again in the future.”

The Fringe is a registered charity run by volunteers.

The committee meets every month except July and August, with all meetings currently being held on-line due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10.

Stephen went on to thank High Peak Borough Council and the ever loyal Fringe Friends for their financial support and all the performers, volunteers and audience members who made the Fringe what it was. 

He concluded by quoting comedian Nathan Cassidy, who gave the Fringe its only live performance this year and described the Fringe as ‘incredibly special’ adding: “Creatives can only create with the right support and that’s what this Fringe gives us.”

Next year’s Fringe runs from July 7-25, with online entries opening on December 1. 

Information is available on www.buxtonfringe.org.uk where people can also find out how to be a committee member or support the Fringe in other ways.