For many years my husband Bill Cotton introduced the Festival brochure. Now the job falls to me.

It is like being the Maitre d’Hotel at a smart restaurant pointing a finger with pride first at this and then at that. Like him I can assure you everything is good. I hope you will be tempted by Monroe who features on our cover or by one of the special Italian offerings scattered throughout our film menu. There is something to suit every taste and we have tried to make sure that everything is the best of its kind. If you get greedy you won’t regret it. You may well be encouraged to return the following day to try another of our specials.

I am especially pleased that our recent purchase of the Rex cinema now establishes it as the home of the Festival. You will always find a warm welcome there and I hope it will become a home from home for you as well.

We were very pleased ten years ago when Sir Bill agreed to become our President. We all knew his name at the top of our publicity would lend us additional prestige. What we did not realise was that we had invited someone of singular generosity, who supported by his wife took a genuine interest in what we were trying to do.
Bill and Kate were a brilliant double act and after Bill’s death it seemed only natural to try to maintain the Cotton connection by asking Kate to take over as our President. We are very pleased she has accepted for we know she will be as supportive as he always was, so we can continue to benefit from her experience and advice for many years to come.