Nick Heyward to headline at this year's Henley Festival

Nick Heyward, of 1980s 'Haircut 100' fame, has lived near Shiplake for the past five years and has been chosen, along with Toyah and Belinda Carlisle, to lead the Henley Festival's 25th Anniversary party night on Sunday 15 July.

"This will be my first close-up experience of the Henley Festival", he revealed. "I've seen and heard it from afar and always thought how wonderful it must be to be there in person. I 'm absolutely delighted to be part of the celebrations on the floating stage. It's very timely as it's 25 years since the release of the band's first album Pelican West."

Nick is a real fan of festivals and sees them as a wonderfully celebratory experience. For him festival time is "what Henley was made for!". He also appreciates the calm and tranquility of the River Thames; "it's a beautiful wilderness in some places and I feel really at peace. I couldn't wish to live in a better place!".

Nick, whose children are being educated locally, has much to say about Henley Festival Trust's community activity. "I think it's fabulous how professional artists are being brought into schools through the SHOUT! project. Creativity is so important for all ages.

"I am a big fan of music therapy, too. I feel music is the greatest transformer of the mind, body and spirit and is a potent form of healing. The 25th Anniversary appeal to increase music therapy work locally is very worthwhile.

"At the festival I'll be singing some well-known numbers from the '80s but I'll also perform some of my new solo work."

The 2007 Henley Festival runs from 11 to 15 July. For further information contact the Festival on info@henley-festival.co.uk or visit the website at www.henley-festival.co.uk. For more information about Nick Heyward visit www.myspace.com/nicholasheyward.