A SMALL World but a big success - that was the verdict as the 2013 Royston Arts Festival drew to a close.

Events took place around the town throughout the week, all based around the festival’s theme of A Small World.

Festival chairman Graham Palmer said: “Everywhere during the weekend there was a great deal of enthusiasm about the events.

“Each year we try to set our sights to ensure we produce a programme which will involve the whole community.”

“From all the comments we have received, this year’s events appear to have been an overwhelming success.

“There certainly was a real buzz about the town over the weekend – and too many highlights to mention, but all the events seemed to attract enthusiastic audiences,” he said.

Hundreds of people visited Greneway School on Saturday to take part in Small World events which included live performances and various workshop sessions.

One attraction was a large map of Royston on which people were asked to place a model of their home captured the attention.

There was a large audience at Greneway School on Saturday evening for the appearance of Meera Syal, who spoke about her life and career in an interview-style session.

An enthusiastic audience packed the parish church on Sunday evening for the rousing Last Night of the Prom-style Schools Finale.

Mr Palmer said: “Of course, it could not have been made possible without the collective efforts of everyone involved and the help from our sponsors, especially Johnson Matthey plc and Royston First.”

The organisers have already decided that next year’s theme will be Heroes and Villains.

Meanwhile, the public is being requested to post feedback comments online at www.roystonartsfestival.org, where they can also post photographs from events and find links to social media.

To help the arts festival gain funding for next year it is important for those attending to complete a short questionnaire on the website and available from Royston library.

Free tickets for an event next year are being offered in a draw from the questionnaires submitted.