Susan Croall, one of Swansea International Festival’s most loyal and long-standing staff, has been awarded the Exceptional Service Award by BAFA (British Arts Festival Association)
Susan is a well-known figure to all those associated with the arts in Swansea and West Wales and has worked tirelessly, over many years, for the good of music in Swansea, but Swansea Festival has always been very close to Susan’s heart and an organisation she loves and works unstintingly for.
The Festival which was established in 1948 has a long association with Susan’s family. Her father, George Froom Tyler, who was a past editor of the South Wales Evening Post, was also a Chairman of the Festival in its early days. It was during his chairmanship that the Festival saw its major development as one of the most comprehensive and important festivals in Britain, and Susan herself has had a significant impact in both her work for, and championing of, the Festival
Artistic Director of the Festival, Lyndon Jones, said: “Susan has served the Swansea Festival selflessly for decades, always committing her energies to realising the highest standards of music-making in the City.
“She always avoids the limelight, seeking instead to move on to the next task: whether as a teacher of piano, as a loyal and energetic member of the City’s Philharmonic Choir, or as an invaluably wise and authoritative member of the Board of Swansea International Festival, and a dedicated and vital member of the Festival delivery team.
It simply is not possible to imagine someone giving more dedication and commitment to the cause of music-making, and I feel very strongly that – in exemplifying the values that BAFA stands for – there can be few more deserving recipients of this award than Susan Croall.”
Image: Lyndon Jones, Artistic Director, Susan Croall Administrator and Concerts Manager and David Hastie, Chairman.