Richmond Mayor Visits St Mary's to Support ImFest

Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames Martin Seymour visited St Mary’s University, Twickenham recently to lend his support to ImFest, a charitable music festival hosted on campus. During his visit the Mayor met with St Mary’s Vice-Chancellor Francis Campbell and organisers of ImFest and alumnae of the University Imogen and Erin Archard and their Mother Deborah. ImFest is an annual music festival held to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s Society. The festival is now in its fifth year and is hosted on St Mary’s Strawberry Hill Campus and this year is sponsored by the University. The mayor chose to undertake his visit, as the Alzheimer’s Society is also one of the charities he is supporting whilst in office. The event is held in memory of Bill Cook, a music lover who passed away in 2012 after suffering with Dementia. Now in its fifth year, the festival hopes to continue its year on year growth, having donated £1000 to the Alzheimers Society last year. Speaking after the visit, Deborah Archard said, “It was a privilege to meet the Mayor and discuss our forthcoming fifth ImFest. We shared our mutual feelings for those who suffer or who have suffered with Dementia and the realisation of how music can reopen memories.” This year’s ImFest is being held on 2^nd July, with early bird tickets costing £8, available from www.imfestmusic.com, or £10 on the day.