Events & Entertainment | Posted on December 11th, 2024 | return to news
Highcliffe festival organiser steps down after 10 years
Mary Reader, organiser of the Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival and previously the Christchurch Food and Wine Festival, is taking a step back.
The founder of the popular Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival, Mary Reader, has officially stepped down from her role as director.
The annual festival, which features street food, cookery demonstrations, arts and crafts and market stalls, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025.
Reader has organised the festival, which takes over Highcliffe’s high street and recreation ground, for the past 10 years. Prior to this, she organised the Christchurch Food and Wine Festival from 2006.
Reader’s decision to step down as the festival’s director was announced on Monday 9 December. The message from the festival team highlighted how Reader’s “vision and dedication have shaped the festival into the vibrant event we all love, encouraging community spirit and supporting local businesses every step of the way.”
The festival’s chair, Tina Jaffray, said: “Mary is passionate about the village and supporting the local businesses in it. She is a trailblazer, an example of what can be achieved by volunteering. I am constantly amazed by her stamina and her ability to juggle her many commitments.
“I am so very grateful to Mary for her guidance and support when I became Chair of the festival in 2024. The Committee and I are delighted that Mary will continue to source all the talented chefs for the festival’s cookery theatre.”
The social media post led to an outpour of comments from residents sharing their appreciation for Reader’s years of hard work. Sally Winter Etchings said: “Not only an inspirational local champion but a wonderfully supportive friend. Deserves every tribute going, well done dear Mary.”
The next Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival will be held on 14 and 15 June, 2025.
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