Last Saturday, I had the privilege of adjudicating the Worcestershire Theatre Festival.

It is the first round of the All England Theatre Festival which is the largest theatre competition in the world (probably!).

There were some very good performances, a worthy winning play, one or two bad losers, and a jolly good time was had by all.

My overriding memory of the day was the vast number of unsung heroes who work behind the scenes to make things happen.

The people on stage get the adulation of their friends and admirers, and the adrenalin rush of performing (addictive stuff, as many of you will know!), but what about the others?

There were just so many on Saturday - set builders, programme sellers, back-stage crew, costume-getters, lighting and sound crew, make-up, stage managers, prompts, bar staff, tea and sandwich-makers, programme writers, treasurers, secretaries, supporters, lift-givers, set carriers, choreographers, sound-effects-tape compilers, ushers, box office and probably loads I've forgotten.

All giving their time, all working their socks off, and all largely unthanked and unnoticed.

I got to thinking of all the wonderful amateur productions at The Swan and at Huntingdon Hall, and thought about the hundreds of people involved in some way of bringing shows to the stage without ever getting the glory and the adulation of the adoring crowd.

They are the very essence of amateur performance, just doing something for the love of it.

Well, I for one salute you all.

We couldn't do it without you, and we love you all!

Chris Jaeger is Director of Huntingdon Arts