Duke of Kent becomes Newbury Spring Festival patron

The Duke is an avid supporter of the event and has attended concerts on an unofficial basis for several years

THE DUKE of Kent is to become a patron of Newbury Spring Festival.

No official announcement has yet been made while arrangements are finalised but festival manager Zoe Seenan said this week: “It's true. We're absolutely thrilled.”

The Duke is an avid supporter of the event and attended this year's final concert by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at St Nicolas' Church, Newbury, on Saturday, May 21.

Ms Seenan said: “I was able to speak to him myself then and he seemed very happy to be taking on the position. He has been coming to concerts on an unofficial basis for years and it seemed natural that someone who is already a supporter in the capacity of concert-goer should be invited to be patron.

“We're delighted.”

For many years in the 1980s the Duchess of Kent was a festival patron.