I was honoured and delighted to be invited to be Patron of the Derby Arts Festival in this its centenary year. This year we can look back on the hundred years in which the festival has encouraged music, drama and the performing arts, and I know that the committee have planned a number of special events to mark the occasion. The festival has developed a rich vein of talent over its life and contributed greatly to the cultural life of Derby. It continues to do so in 2008 and I hope it will continue to do so for many years into the future.
The Rt. Revd. Dr Alastair Redfern
Bishop of Derby