Norma is no stranger to Horsforth Festival, with many of her own students competing here from 1977 to 1986. When living in Leeds she taught at the Yorkshire College for Music and Drama, directed shows and played Wicked Queen in Snow White in a three months run at the Leeds City Varieties Theatre. She has performed in many shows with Geoff Druett of YTV and done radio and TV work.

 Since leaving Leeds she has continued to teach and perform and has researched and completed an MA at Leicester University. She now travels extensively as an examiner for Trinity College, London. When time permits she also travels extensively in the UK examining, adjudicating and giving lectures and workshops.

Ian Wilson has a lifelong interest in drama as a performer, director and spectator. He entered festivals for the first time many years ago as part of his training for his LRAM acting diploma. For several years he has adjudicated at many festivals in Northern England & Northern Ireland.

He taught drama at the Bradford & Ilkley Community College and is now lecturer in communication studies. He plays an active part in the life of amateur theatre with the Ilkley players. Ian believes that the festival movement encourages young people to challenge their skills against others, builds self confidence and self reliance, and that winning every performance is not important.