ORGANISERS of a popular stage festival don't want to make a drama out of a crisis - but they fear the annual event will fold if they can't find a secretary.

Members of the Wharfedale Drama Festival of One Act Plays say the situation could end their 41-year run at Otley Civic Centre.

Now they are appealing for 'fresh blood' to take up the challenge.

Current secretary Jean Newman, who has carried out the administration work for the last couple of years, has decided to retire.

And a search of members' respective drama clubs for

volunteers has proved

fruitless.

Peter Rocke, of the committee, said they were getting

desperate.

"If we have not got someone to do the administration then we could not run the festival.

"We need a secretary to write to clubs and societies to see if they want to take part, to reply to their answers and to draw up programmes.

"It's not something that anyone else on the committee can really take on because we all do such a lot as well.

"And we would like someone younger if we can, because most of the committee

members have been on it for quite a time."

Mr Rocke said the Wharfedale Drama Festival still attracted a great deal of support from drama groups across the region.

"A lack of support, as is the case with so many similar

festivals, is not the problem," he added.

The festival is held during May each year at the Civic Centre where one-act plays are produced over three days.

This year's event was another success, the accolade of 'best performed play' going to The Pierrot Players from Huddersfield.

Mr Rocke said the committee met just four or five times a year, although work obviously mounted up as each festival approached.

The right candidate, as well as being enthusiastic and interested in amateur theatre, needed only a knowledge of forming agendas, taking minutes and general administration, he said.

"We are indeed very keen to hear from anyone who is interested who feels that they would be prepared to have a go," he said.

l Information about the duties of secretary can be obtained from Mrs Newman on (01943) 862448.

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