The Wirral Arts Festival should bounce back this year, scheduled to take place between the 2nd and 16th of October - and its organisers, who give so much and ask for so little in return, really deserve our support.

The Festival began life as the Heswall Arts Festival in 2010 but, in 2016, interest from elsewhere on the peninsula persuaded the founders to expand and rebrand as the WAF.

One of the founders, Valerie Warr, recalled how it all began. "We thought Heswall could benefit from a festival. Something affordable, accessible, that would inspire and entertain people, attract visitors, benefit local businesses, and put Heswall on the festival map."

Now Valerie and her fellow volunteers want to do something extraordinary when life has returned to something like normal.

And with good reason.

"Last Autumn was to have been our Tenth Anniversary," Valerie explained, "but fate took over!

"Now the thought is that if we don't try to plan well in advance, then there's a danger nothing at all will happen. So, we are thinking hard and reaching out to people and keeping our fingers well crossed that the COVID vaccine and good sense will prevail.

"All performers are desperate to get out there to entertain, make audiences happy again and bring life and income back to all our lovely venues.

"If you are an artist, performer or helper wishing to be involved please do get in touch. If you are a potential member of the audience then at last you have some dates for your diary!

"Orchestra dell'Arte will be on stage playing great music for the closing concert on Saturday 16th October. Engineering and Science Days are in preparation for 7th and 14th. We have a good programme arranged with West Kirby Arts Centre and some excellent visual artists are already on board. Melrose Hall, Hoylake will be the venue for an Opera Gala on 9th October.

"As soon as venues begin to open, all your other favourites will be slotted into what should be a busy two weeks, so keep watching social media for updates and in September we will have the programme in print and full information on the website."

"Plans, of course, can change, but for now, in the words of Victoria Wood: '... Let's Do It...'"

If you would like to get in touch with Valerie and the rest of the Arts Festival team, please email [email protected]

And over the coming months you can check for Festival updates on its website, by clicking or tapping here.

As it says on the home page: "Be inspired to participate in some of our workshops, try something different, make new friends, visit places on your doorstep, bring family and friends and encourage tourists and visitors to discover what Heswall and Wirral have to offer."