Buxton Fringe’s AGM took place on 12th November at the Pump Room, with a chance to welcome new volunteers and announce new trustee appointments.
Ian Bowns, now in his second year as Fringe chair, announced that former Fringe secretary Carole Garner was to become vice chair with committee member Julie Alexander becoming the new secretary.
Sandra Jowett would continue in her role as treasurer and former vice chair Jeanette Hamilton would become friends co-ordinator, the festival’s top team announced.
This year’s AGM had a new informality about it with Mr Bowns explaining that as the Fringe is a charity governed by its trustees, there were no formal decisions or votes to be cast at the meeting.
Instead, the gathering offered a chance to update supporters on how this summer’s Fringe had gone and to outline plans and ambitions for the future.
The festival’s bosses said despite losing The Green Man Gallery, they had been able to look back on a healthy Fringe in 2025, with “plenty of entrants and good ticket sales” as well as their biggest ever comedy section with 61 entries.
Special thanks to former chair Stephen Walker, with Mr Bowns calling him a “hard act to follow”.
He added: Success is not in standing still, nor in change for its own sake.
“We need to make judicious changes, small and potentially large, when we see an opportunity to improve what or how we do things, and sustain our friendly Fringe”.
The Fringe opens for 2026 entries on 1st December. Participants enter online and details can be found at www.buxtonfringe.org.uk.
Next year’s Fringe runs from July 8th to 26th July.
Pictured, l-r: Julie Alexander, Ian Bowns and Sandra Jowett at the AGM.
