Buxton Fringe Welcomes New Volunteers and Announces Trustee Appointments at Fresh-Look AGM

Buxton Fringe’s newly styled Annual General Meeting, held at the Pump Room on November 12th, offered supporters the chance to meet volunteers, hear updates on the festival’s progress, and learn about several key trustee appointments.

Fringe Chair Ian Bowns, now in his second year in the role, announced that former Fringe Secretary Carole Garner has taken on the position of Vice Chair. Committee member Julie Alexander steps into the role of Secretary, while Sandra Jowett continues as Treasurer. Former Vice Chair Jeanette Hamilton remains an important part of the leadership team as Friends Co-ordinator.

from l-r: Julie Alexander, Ian Bowns and Sandra Jowett at the AGM. Credit: Buxton Fringe

A New Informal AGM Format

Explaining the refreshed approach to the meeting, Ian highlighted that as a registered charity governed by its trustees, the Fringe no longer requires formal motions or votes at an AGM. Instead, the evening provided an opportunity to reflect on the success of the 2024 Fringe and outline ambitions for the future.

Despite the closure of The Green Man Gallery, Ian celebrated a strong year for the festival with “plenty of entrants and good ticket sales”, including the Fringe’s largest-ever comedy programme with 61 entries.

Marking its 20th year, Underground successfully operated two busy venues, supported by Sandra and High Peak Borough Council. Ian also expressed thanks to Parkwood Leisure for hosting the Fringe Information Desk in its new home in the Octagon Lounge at the Pavilion Gardens.

Strong Finances and Community Spirit

Treasurer Sandra Jowett reported that the Fringe remains in a healthy financial position, allowing participant entry fees to remain low for another year. Attendees then enjoyed an informal opportunity to mingle over drinks with music from past Fringe performers playing in the background.

Ian expressed heartfelt thanks to the Fringe’s committee members, Friends, venues, and volunteers, encouraging anyone interested to speak to “anyone in an orange T shirt” about year-round volunteering opportunities.

He also offered a special tribute to former Chair Stephen Walker, describing him as a “hard act to follow”, and noted their shared conversations about boosting audience numbers, increasing accessibility, and ensuring the Fringe continues to evolve sustainably.

Ian concluded:

Success is not in standing still, nor in change for its own sake. We need to make judicious changes, small and potentially large, when we see an opportunity to improve what or how we do things, and sustain our Friendly Fringe.

The Fringe opens for entries to its 2026 event on December 1st. Participants can enter online via the Take Part section at buxtonfringe.org.uk.
Next year’s festival will run from 8–26 July 2026.

Further details can be found at buxtonfringe.org.uk.