Musicians add weight to winter festival

Yorkshire jazz singer Clare Teal and Mark Richardson, drummer with rock band Skunk Anansie, have taken on the role for next year's event.

They join Sir Ben Kingsley and Sir Alan and Heather Ayckbourn, existing patrons for the three-day arts festival, being staged from February 18-20 next year.

All four patrons have praised Coastival.

Ms Teal said: "I was lucky enough to be involved in the first Coastival. The audience gave us such a wonderfully warm response, and clearly loved the fact that this shiny new festival had landed on their doorstep.

"I am thrilled and delighted to have become a patron of this great event working towards programming the best of Yorkshire's talents. In short, Scarborough rocks...and swings."

Mr Richardson, who headlined the last Coastival with Feeder, last year, said: "Coastival is a fantastic opportunity for local artists across all genres and spanning all ages to get involved in making this festival a hot, sunny weekend of talent in a month otherwise given over to grey skies and huge seas.

"Coastival not only brings in a huge amount of tourism over its three days but gives the local population an event they can be really proud of.

"Having grown up in Whitby and Scarborough, I was often frustrated by the lack of facilities and opportunities in the area. Coastival provides a stage for all those willing to participate and a seat for those who wish to be entertained."

There was also praise from the existing patrons. Sir Alan said: "Heather and I are delighted and proud to be patrons once more of this, the second Coastival."

Coastival organiser Wendy Clews said: "We are delighted to welcome two new patrons for Coastival 2011.

"Clare and Mark played a key part in the success of the last event and it is wonderful to have them on board and to have them join Sir Alan and Lady Ayckbourn and Sir Ben Kingsley."