Membership: "The best thing ever: it's Christmas come early"

As the site was closing down on the last day of the Literature Festival, I had to try to frantically clear-up all of the hidden "Where's Wally" treasure trail items myself! Some were concealed rather too well..."
Hannah Evans, Literature Festival Assistant

"I arrived at the Jazz Festival Box Office to find the person waiting to speak to me was none other than news-legend Moira Stuart, who was politely chatting to some enthusiastic fans. It was great to see her enjoying the Festival and dancing the night away at The Speakeasy."
Phil Woods, Jazz Festival Manager

It's been a stellar year for Music Festival artists: pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, who's won the Diapason d'Or Award for most talented young artist; the Critics' Award at the Classic BRITAwards, and two Gramophone Awards, making him the youngest ever double award winner.

Guitarist Miloš Karadaglic also saw success at the Classic BRITs when he was named MasterCard Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and librettist Jeet Thayli had his novel Narcopolis shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction.

Education: Petrol, ping-pong balls, calories & cookies
...what do they all have in common? Energy!

550 Year 8 & 9 students took part in the Science Festival's very own version of The Christmas Lectures earlier this month as part of our year-round educational programme that involves nearly 25,000 school children.

With plenty of fire, bangs and crashes, FameLabber Jamie Gallagher used burning food and bouncing balls to show what energy is and why we can't create or destroy it.