what was said about Henley Festival

We have now attended two festivals and have found it absolutely fabulous. I think it would make a great platform to celebrate a close friend's birthday in 2011.We loved the Trans Siberian March Band. Just great this year.
Mark R.

As Friends and supporters of Henley Music Festival for twenty plus years, we must congratulate you all on a very successful Festival yet again this year. Also, the weatherman for providing such tropical conditions!

I was one of the fans in the 'diehard' queue who attended the Ronan Keating concert on Sunday night and I just want to thank you and everyone involved in the organisation of the festival for doing such a good job. Ronan's performance was fantastic but your excellent organisation and effort in ensuring that people who queued early in the day got to the front and were treated well was an added bonus. If only other event organisers could learn by your example! I hope to return to Henley again before long and I would love nothing more than to see Ronan perform there again next year!
Thanks again,Regina

The Festival in my experience is unique and everyone we introduce to it returns themselves. It is different every year. Long may it continue.
Paul H

Being by a shimmering, living river on beautiful summer's evenings, the atmosphere, it felt buzzy and happy again, lots of local people. I just think the Festival is fantastic, good value for money, where else can you get 4 great acts and 6 hours entertainment for £50? I wish more people realised it is not an 'elitist' and nor expensive event.
Helen M.

The whole experience was perfect - I have never felt so relaxed and so well looked after at an event. 5* service
Linsey C.

The performance and the overall atmosphere. Art was excellent and far too tempting to buy!
Mark S.

A superb evening - has it all and will definitely come again.
Elise C.

The atmosphere was wonderful helped by wide range of performing artists and art on display and plentiful outlets for food and drink at all cost levels
Valerie F.

This was our first time to the festival and we really didn't know what to expect. My partner was more than happy to dig out his DJ for the event. We have now put the festival in our calendars as a regular annual event - much better than Ascot!
Sheila C.

We thoroughly enjoyed the whole atmosphere and experience
Toni C.

The wow factor when arriving is great. The ambiance and atmosphere is very special.
PJ H.

Excellent overall organisation and service. The Saturday night concert we attended was superb in quality and atmosphere.
Doug W.

The Festival is definitely the highlight of my year, even with the frequent travelling we do, there is something so very special and magical about it and we begin to look forward to it and get excited as soon as Christmas is over! Once again thank you and Marnie and the rest of the team for working so hard all year to put on this wonderful event.
Bonita

Thank you for such a lovely evening! Couldn't have been more perfect and loved Will Young! We had a wonderful time looking in all the galleries too.
Juliet Herd, HELLO!, International Editor

Henley was, once again, an amazing experience. I had a "new" bunch of guests with me who'd not been before and they all LOVED it! Huge thanks indeed. It was terrific. The gorgeous weather helped of course but as always, the array of high class entertainment on offer as well as the range and quality of side stalls, art exhibits and superb facilities were second to none. I know of no other organisation, event or building that provides so many loos for the lovely ladies - and they're very nice loos too! Seems an odd thing to single out for praise - but believe me - girls everywhere are impressed and grateful.
Lizz Loxam BBC News

I just wanted to pass on my thanks for a superb evening. We had a wonderful time in the evening sunshine. Rainer Hersch was an undoubted highlight - absolutely hilarious. I can't wait for next year.
Duncan McLarty, Assistant Editor BBC Berkshire

The Closer Online Team can't seem to stay away from Henley these days! After my colleague Anisa paid a visit to the famous Henley Regatta last week, yesterday it was my turn to venture out to the picturesque town for an evening of quintessentially English, quirky summer fun at the Henley Festival.

And who happened to headline the opening night? No other than Closer favourite Will Young!

Serenading his audience from a floating stage on the river Thames, Mr Young showed off his amazing vocal skills and charmed the audience with his overall loveliness. 'Willy' (as one massive fan kept shouting at him from the grand stand) performed all of his classics: Leave Right Now, Mystified ... and he could even be convinced by a fresh pint of lager to dig out Evergreen!

The 31-year-old fitted right into the sophisticated crowd at the Henley Festival, which is unlike any music event we have ever been to. Forget glamming it up at Glasto, at Henley it's all about bringing out your cocktail dress or 'full-length and fabulous' gown - and for the gents is strictly black tie.

And rather than getting splashed with fellow revellers' pints of cider, at Henley you'll find yourself strolling the festival site on the bank of the Thames with a glass of champagne or Pimms. Forget greasy festival grub, too - at this boutique music event, celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal is selling posh nosh to go!

The organisers even trust festival goers enough to put up a unique selection of art work around the site. Surrounded by giant wooden mushrooms, ponies made entirely from seashells and a huge owl statue I felt like I had landed in Wonderland - until I saw the £85,000 price tag on the giant bird and decided to take my champagne-fuelled limbs elsewhere ...

But if you think it's all tame and no game in Henley, think again! There are plenty of international bands playing 'gypsy jazz', reggae and salsa tunes, so bring your dancing shoes.

If comedy is your thing, there are plenty of acts roaming amongst the guests - our favourites were two 'grannies' of the cross-dressing variety riding along on motorized shopping trolleys while pumping out party tunes and chatting up the ladies. A certain Roxanne might want to look into that for her old age ...