It may be damp and grey on the streets of Hebden Bridge but in the Festival office it's summer all year round as the team are hard at work putting together a festival to remember.

And it's all change this year as Rebecca Yorke hands over the Festival Co-ordinator role to Helen Meller. Rebecca said, 'After being so involved for 4 years, I'll miss being part of the Festival, but I'm thrilled to be handing over to Helen, who I know will be a huge success in the role. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me since 2007 and hope that Helen will enjoy the job as much as I have.'

Helen, who has a background in TV and produced Hebden Shorts in 2010 and 2011, is keen to get things underway for 2012. 'I am delighted to be joining the HBAF team and would like to ensure this year's festival is better than ever', she said. 'I'm looking for a team of volunteers to help make it happen, so if you think you have what it takes to tackle the Fringe, the Open Garden Weekend, street events or would like to help in a Business Liaison or Schools Co-ordination role, then please drop me a line at helen@hbaf.co.uk' .

Organisers are busy lining up an exciting and varied programme of theatre, music and drama and are now inviting local artists to publicise their exhibitions or events in the widely-distributed brochure and on the Festival website.

The Festival is also asking for local businesses who would like to take out a listing or sponsor a Festival event, to get in touch. Helen continued, 'We know these are straitened times, but the Festival is committed to working with local businesses and services in raising the profile of the area. The Festival is the ideal showcase for our town.'

The 2012 Festival will run between Saturday 30 June and Sunday 8 July. An Open Meeting is planned for March. In the meantime, any artist or business who would like to have a listing in the programme should e-mail helen@hbaf.co.uk . The deadline for inclusion is February 10.