Greenham Trust has announced that it is continuing its sponsorship of the Newbury Spring Festival, which it has supported since 2005. Its donation of £55,000 makes the Trust the single largest sponsor in 2018.

The Trust is committed to enabling local people to access the highest quality live performances and the festival is one of a number of arts projects that the Trust supports across the region.

Now in its fortieth year, the festival is one of the most popular and successful music and cultural festivals in southern England. Its reputation has grown internationally, and, with it, the quality of the artists which it is able to attract.

"We're delighted to offer our continued support to the Newbury Spring Festival", said Chris Boulton, Chief Executive of Greenham Trust. "It's wonderful that local people can enjoy world-class performances without the expense of travelling to London or further afield, and we’re especially proud of the opportunities that the festival offers to young and talented artists. Having renowned musicians run workshops for schools as part of its participation and learning programme shows how far-reaching the Festival has become".

A key mission for the festival is to present young artists and to develop young audiences, and over the years many have performed at the festival at the start of major international careers. Notable returning artists performing this year include Guy Johnston and Tom Poster, two of the festival's previous young artists whose creative partnership is now one of Britain's most established and renowned.

Guy Johnston said: "I remember fondly my first performance at the Newbury Festival around 2001. I performed a piano trio concert with my brother, Magnus, and Tom Poster. It was one of my first professional concerts after the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2000. I've since returned a few times and know what a special atmosphere it is there".

"We are indebted to Greenham Trust for its continued and generous support for the festival", said Mark Eynon, Festival Director, Newbury Spring Festival. "The festival depends on the wonderful support from all of our sponsors, and to be able to bring artists such as the Philharmonia Orchestra to Newbury is thanks to their generosity".

The 2018 Newbury Spring Festival runs from 12th to 26th May.

Pictured: Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who is playing with the Philharmonia Orchestra on the opening night at St Nicolas' Church
Image credit: Greenham Trust