I know, I know, the organising committee have changed the name of the festival to the "Fowey Festival of Words & Music", in a pointless and misguided attempt to give the festival a 'more widespread appeal'. Quite how the exclusion of the name of probably the most popular author of the 20th century will help, is not clear. We will continue to call it "The Daphne du Maurier Festival of Arts & Literature" because that is what it is!

To illustrate this foolishness, a search on Google for 'du Maurier Festival' returns over 509,000 entries, whereas a search for 'Fowey Festival' returns a mere 130,000 - most of these being for the Fowey Regatta!

Click HERE for a copy of the Visit Cornwall Press Release (pdf). (Nice to know that they think of the du Maurier fans as the 'domestic market').

It is to be hoped that the festival organisers and trustees will see sense and return to its correct title next year!

The Festival is held every year in Fowey and St. Austell Bay during May. A local initiative with the full support of the du Maurier family, it celebrates the life and works of the internationally renowned author and the association of her work with the County of Cornwall and Fowey in particular.

A 'Festival Village' in the grounds of Fowey Hall provides the focus of activity as well as hosting the main events in the 600 seat Festival Marquee and the smaller du Maurier Theatre.

First held in 1997, the Festival has attracted a marvellous gathering of authors, scholars, entertainers and personalities and is complemented by many other events which harness local enthusiasm, energy and talent.

The Festival offers the opportunity to experience the du Maurier countryside and spectacular coastline and landscape of the County of Cornwall with a programme of guided walks, garden open days and boat trips.

For further details visit the Daphne Du Maurier Festival website.