2012

Paul Bench 
LGSM ALAM, M.Ed, ACP (Lings), IBFP, MIFA (Reg), PGCE, Cert Lang Ed, MASC (Ph) (Hons), Advanced LJBA (Hons), FRSA

Paul has written many articles and book reviews for various journals and newspapers such as The Times Educational Supplement and The Stage. He is presently reviews editor for journal of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama. As an adjudicator member of The International and British Federation of Festivals, he has adjudicated many festivals over the years.

He has worked for the Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival on many occasions. He has also judged the finals of the eight week festival in Sri Lanka. He has taught voice and presentation skills at several UK university departments for MA and MSc programme where he has been a visiting lecturer and he is a member of the Society of Education Consultants. In his capacity as an examiner with LAMDA he has worked with students throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, and has travelled internationally to China, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, The United States and The Middle East and China. He has a private and corporate client base from a wide spectrum from the Law, Education, Business and the Performing Arts. He is a member of the British Voice Association and a tutor for Voicecare Network, working with teachers and lecturers to help in their vocal care and delivery in the classroom. 

Paul is an International Bach Flower practitioner, advanced medical aromatherapist and Reiki Therapist, specialising in relaxation techniques. He regularly provides day courses in Voice Therapy, The Creative Self, Bach Flower Therapy and Performance Psychology.

Cally Foster
LLAM, MSTSD

Since her first appearance in a festival at the age of five Cally has been committed to the festival movement and has pursued a career as a speech and drama specialist. She has been the principal of her Buckinghamshire based drama studio for the past 20 years and combines that role with travelling extensively in the UK, Europe, Japan, Singapore, Kuwait, the Emirates, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Australia as an examiner for LAMDA. Cally also delivers workshops on all aspects of communication and is an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals and Vice Chairman of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama

Cally believes that performing in festivals not only encourages an appreciation of the arts but also develops the communication and presentation skills so important in today's world. Cally is delighted to be returning to the Mid-Somerset Competitive Festival and wishes everyone an enjoyable as well as a positive experience.

Brian Hindle
NCSD, LUD, LRAM, LLAM

Brain trained at New College of Speech and Drama, London. He has taught speech and drama for many years and, as former Head of Drama at Blackpool and the Fylde College of Further and Higher Education, worked with a wide range of students, including trainee teachers.

He had directed numerous productions, ranging from theatre-in-education projects peformed in schools, to full scale Shakespeare plays presented at the Grand theatre in Blackpool.

As an examiner for LAMDA he has travelled throughout the British Isles and overseas, including Singapore, California, Kenya, South Africa and Sri Lanka. He is an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals

Priscilla Morris
LGSM LLCM LLAM(Hons) ALAM PGCA MSTSD

Priscilla was a member of the National Youth Theatre appearing in "Zigger
Zagger" and "Fuzz". She then trained at the Guildhall School of Music &
Drama in London.
In 1972 she founded her own drama school in the midlands where she
continues to teach children and adults at all levels. Priscilla has worked in
several independent schools where she taught Speech & Drama to children
aged 5 to 18 and Oral English for GCSE.
Since joining the LAMDA board in 1986 she has examined throughout Great
Britain and Ireland as well as internationally in Spain, Singapore the USA and
Malta. She has been an adjudicator in Speech & Drama for the British &
International Federation of Festivals since 1991 and has worked all over
Britain as well as in Bermuda, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
Since 1998 she has been Voice Advisor to the Amateur Swimming
Association for whom she has given over 100 Voice Protection Workshops
nationwide. Priscilla is a registered Tutor for the Voicecare Network and is
particularly in demand for her Practical Shakespeare workshops, which have
been given in many locations including Singapore and Bermuda.
Her dedicated business company 'Loud & Clear' works with many individuals
and major companies on developing the business voice and protecting it in the
workplace.
Priscilla is the author of "Introducing Shakespeare to Young People" published
in 1997 by Oberon Books.
She is also a professional speaker and holds Equity membership although
now she mainly works in amateur theatre. Over the last 35 years she has
directed and acted in over 40 plays, musicals and pantomimes.

Norma Redfearn
MA, BA, LGSM, LLAM, LTCL(Tesol)

Norma Redfearn trained at the Northern College of Speech and Drama, and researched at Leicester University. She began her acting career in Rep', and then performed in professional tours all over the UK. As an examiner for Trinity College London she has examined students, lectured and performed on every continent, as well as setting and marking written examinations and she received the Chairman's Award for services to Trinity. Norma now examines extensively for LAMDA and has most recently visited Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. She is proud to be an adjudicating member of the British and International Federation of Festivals, and she regularly adjudicates at the Hong Kong Festival and at the Sri Lankan Festival of the performing Arts. She is co-author of a book on Public Speaking for Lamda, and she often adjudicates at the National 'Youth Speaks' Competitions in the UK. She has taught, lectured and been head of drama, at a variety of schools and colleges and she continues to teach at her private studio. Many of her former students are pursuing successful acting careers in theatre and television, and there are others who are qualified Drama Teachers.
Her greatest joy however is equipping students with life skills, and the ability to take their place in society confidently. She believes the Festival Movement is a wonderful tool to help the confidence and development of all who enter and she looks forward to sharing once again with the students at the Mid Somerset Festival in this celebration of their achievement.

Edwina Lloyd
LLAM, LGSM

Edwina, who lives in Bristol, teaches Speech & Drama and frequently adjudicates for the British Federation of Festivals and examines for Vanguard Examination. She loves directing Shakespeare, particularly with young people, and has experience in The Royal Shakespeare Co. and Children's Theatre. Edwina is a professional actress and regularly accepts TV work. She loves giving recitals and enjoys working in a pro-amateur company each summer. She knows how it feels to be a teacher entering a wide range of Group, Duo and Solo Classes in the local Bristol Festival and has a full understanding of the festival excitement and anxiety, necessary, she thinks if one is to adjudicate with sensitivity.