The Federation is keen to extend this Global Festival Network and welcomes further enquiries. This spirit of competition spilled over into the arts, and local events sprang up spontaneously. By 1907 the membership was over 70 affiliated festivals, many being brought into being by famous names - like the Leith Hill Musical Festival, begun by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1905. Then we have our overseas links, in Bermuda, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and Africa - pioneered by Federation adjudicators. Most of these festivals have a wide range of music, speech and dance classes, whilst others are more specialist - perhaps choral, theatre or stage dance.
Festivals bring forward the specially gifted.
Many famous names found their first platform at their local festival and then perhaps move further afield, presenting their work always to a fresh audience. Festivals also develop the educated audiences of the future - those who will keep the arts alive in years to come. The Federation has been moving ahead through the encouragement of new work . More and more festivals have wanted to offer classes to suit the work going on in their communities. Wherever a local festival defines a need, the Federation is willing to give advice, and will try to find a way of giving practical assistance.