The Coventry Festival was started in 1989 by a group of enthusiastic locals. Most of us had travelled miles to compete - or taken our pupils to compete - at Dudley or Leamington, Leicester or Nuneaton. There are 300 thriving Competitive Festivals in England and the English speaking world, affiliated to The British & International Federation of Festivals from Cornwall to Northumbria and from Albrighton to Zooch - there is even a Festival in Hong Kong.

We started the Coventry Festival because we believed that Coventry is an important city worthy of its own Competitive Festival. The original committee immortalised themselves by presenting the Festival's first Trophy - the Founders' Scroll and having their names engraved on the back.

The first venue was the Herbert Art Gallery but when building alterations rendered us homeless at short notice in 1992, the Headteacher of King Henry VIII School invited us to use their Junior School Hall and we have been hosted by the Coventry Schools' Foundation ever since. We currently enjoy the superior facilties in their new drama block at Bablake.

However, the Festival itself is independent of its venue - we are open to any competitor from anywhere in the country - although we are particularly eager to attract local talent. The organisation is carried out by a committee who set the syllabus, employ the adjudicator, rent the venue and organise the stewarding and paperwork on the day. The Festival itself is brought to life by the Competitors who come to perform their work for the adjudicator and the audience.

We are pleased to have build up a good following of students from all walks of life. Now we hope to expand and attract competitors from a wider range of schools in the city.