The 2026 summer festival Supporter Scheme
2025 was, by any measure, an extraordinarily successful year for the Petworth Festival. Three outstanding, diverse cultural components: the spring Petworth Proms, the Summer Festival, and the autumn Literary Festival.
Three festivals of record ticket sales and outstanding contributions by some of the world’s leading musical artists and celebrated authors. We introduced the next generation of performing musicians to both the Proms and the Summer festivals and ran an acclaimed educational outreach programme – SING OUT! - which gave musical and literary opportunity to six primary schools and many children in the local area.
The Petworth Festival introduced a new management team and in December 2025 announced the appointment of two world class musicians, Lizzie Ball and Charles Owen, as artistic successors to Stewart Collins.
2026 will be Stewart’s final Petworth Proms and Summer Festival (he will continue to helm the Literary Festival) and it says much about the reputation of the Petworth Festival that we can attract such wonderful talent to build upon his creative legacy.
The Petworth Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2029, an extraordinary milestone in a world where so many arts organisations, large and small, have sadly not survived.
That the Petworth Festival continues to grow in strength and reputation is down to the wonderful generosity of private individuals and local businesses who have supported us for many years.
But if the Petworth Festival is to continue to thrive, we need financial support more than ever and a renewed programme of regular giving. We cannot rely on ticket revenue alone against a background - as in so many areas of our lives - where costs continue to rise materially.
As part of our charitable aims - in addition to bringing high quality arts to the area - our commitment to continue to build on the success of the 2025 SING OUT! initiative cannot be met without your support.
While it has served the festival well in the past, the structure of our donor and commercial sponsorship programmes has not changed for many years.
Following a thorough debate and detailed comparison with similar festivals around the country, the Trustees believe now is the time to introduce a new supporter structure as we look towards 2029 and the next 50 years.
The Petworth Festival is a source of great community pride in West Sussex and the surrounding area, and we believe the structure detailed below gives everyone an opportunity to be part of our family of supporters.
2026 summer festival Patronage Scheme
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5-day priority booking period
2 x complimentary tickets to one event either at St Mary’s Church or at the Leconfield Hall
2 x brochures mailed
Invitation to the Summer Festival Launch
Invitation to the Summer Festival Reception at Petworth House
Interval drinks at St Mary’s Church and Leconfield Hall events
Invitation to a post festival session with Executive and Artistic Directors
Recognition in the Annual Review, online brochure, the venue screens and on the Festival website.
3 x e-newsletters per year
£500 - £999 per year, per household
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As for Bronze plus
5-day priority booking period
Invitation to one rehearsal and to meet artist(s)
Invitation to post concert reception
Option to support individual events, recognition from the stage, in the Annual Review, online brochure, the venue screens and on the festival website
£1,000 - £2,499 per year, per household
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As for Silver plus
5-day priority booking period
Concierge booking service during Gold booking period
Invitation to two rehearsals and to meet the artists
2 x tickets reserved for the Petworth Proms
Invitation to VIP drinks at the Petworth Proms (If attending on the Saturday evening only)
£2,500 - £4,999 per year, per household
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As for Gold plus
5-day priority booking period
Concierge booking service during the Platinum and Gold booking periods
Invitation to three rehearsals and to meet the artists
Invitation to a private dinner with Lord and Lady Egremont
Invitation to an exclusive Platinum Club social event during the Summer Festival
Invitation to post concert reception
Option to support individual events, recognition from the stage, in the Annual Review, online brochure, the venue screens and on the festival website
£5,000 plus per year, per household
2026 Literary Festival patronage Scheme
Details of a Book Club Supporter Scheme to follow. For more information, contact stella@petworthfestival.org.uk
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An invitation to the Literary Festival launch reception hosted by Lord and Lady Egremont, at Petworth House on 7 October
A one-day priority booking period (early September, to be announced) - with 45 plus literary events to choose from
A listing on the Petworth Festival website
A listing in the Annual Report
A listing on the festival event screens
Two Literary Brochures posted to you
Two complimentary tickets to the event of choice
£350 - £999 per year, per household
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An invitation to the Literary Festival launch reception hosted by Lord and Lady Egremont, at Petworth House on 7 October
A two-day priority booking period (early September, to be announced)- with 45 plus literary events to choose from
A listing on the Petworth Festival website
A listing in the annual report
A listing on the festival event screens
Two Literary Brochures posted to you
Two complimentary tickets to the event of choice
The opportunity to support a specific author event, either exclusively or on a shared basis
£1,000 - £2,499 per year, per household
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An invitation to the Literary Festival launch reception hosted by Lord and Lady Egremont, at Petworth House on 7 October
A two-day priority booking period (early September, to be announced)- with 45 plus literary events to choose from
A listing on the Petworth Festival website
A listing in the annual report
A listing on the festival event screens
Two Literary Brochures posted to you
Two complimentary tickets to the event of choice
The opportunity to support a specific author event, either exclusively or on a shared basis
Meet the author opportunity (subject to prior arrangements)
£2,500 plus per year, per household
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Tailored business packages are available for named events, offering prominent recognition, enhanced visibility, and exclusive opportunities to meet authors and speakers on the day (subject to prior arrangements).
Bespoke sponsorship packages can also be created, with benefits and opportunities tailored to the business requirements and level of donation.
From £3,000 per year
Annual membership scheme
We have replaced the old Friends and Patrons scheme with a new Annual Membership Scheme, with three levels of access:
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3-day priority booking period for up to 4 tickets per event
Summer Festival brochure mailed
Invitation to the Summer Festival Launch
3 x e-newsletters per year
£45 per household, per year
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5-day priority booking period for up to 6 tickets per event
2 x Membership Plus social mornings per year
Summer Festival brochure mailed
Invitation to the Summer Festival Launch
3 x e-newsletters per year
£100 per household, per year
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3-day priority booking period for up to 4 tickets per event
Invitation to the Summer Festival Launch
3 x e-newsletters per year
Free
A message from the Festival’s Chairman and Executive Director
We are deeply grateful for the loyalty of our supporters, whose enthusiasm, time, and generosity enable us to bring our Festivals to life year after year. This continued commitment plays a vital role in the Festivals’ growth, success, and reputation.
We hope the revised 2026 Schemes offer even more opportunities for our contributors to enjoy, engage with, and feel connected to both Festivals.
If you have any questions or would like further information on how to support the 2026 Summer or Literary Festivals, please do not hesitate to contact Stella Goodson, Marketing & Development Manager stella@petworthfestival.org.uk
Thank you once again to everyone who supports the Festivals. We look forward to sharing unforgettable Summer and Literary Festivals with you in 2026.
Neil Franks
Chairman
Alastair Waddington
Executive Director
