Kentish Express Ashford & District
Outstanding service to music festivals honoured
The man behind an established Ashford festival has picked up a national award that places him alongside some famous names of the music world.
Mark Deller, festival director of Stour Music, has received the BAFA (British Arts and Science Festivals Association) Exceptional Service Award, which recognises “significant sustained performance characterised by unusual initiative”.
Mr Deller, 76, who lives in Wye and took over the running of the festival from his father Alfred Deller, said: “It came as a complete surprise. I was very pleased as it’s nice to have that sort of thing recognised. I was in good company as Roger Wright, director of the BBC Proms until this year, also received an award.”
Mr Deller directed his first festival in Salisbury in 1967 and was in charge of the Canterbury Festival for almost 10 years. He took over Stour Music in 1974.
Stour Music spokesman Sue Davison, who nominated Mr Deller, said: “Mark has been the driving force behind the annual
‘Mark has been the driving force behind the annual festival of early music held at Boughton Aluph for the past 39 years’
festival of early music held at Boughton Aluph for the past 39 years, attracting audiences from all over Kent and beyond.
“We are delighted this has been recognised by BAFA, the association that represents more than 150 festivals across Britain.”
The award was presented by BAFA president George Vass at an association conference held during the Canterbury Festival.
Previous recipients of BAFA awards include Michael and Emily Eavis, who run Glastonbury Festival; Sir Brian McMaster, former director of Edinburgh International Festival; and Peter Williams, president of the Canterbury Festival. Mr Wright received the Outstanding Contribution to British Arts and Science Festivals award.