Staff and customers of merchant software provider, Kerridge Commercial Systems, were ordered by the CEO, Ian Bendelow, to “go and have fun” in Marlborough recently, as they left the company’s drinks reception in the Town Hall and set off into the sunshine.

As lead sponsor of the Marlborough Jazz Festival, the company had presented them with Saturday Stroller tickets so they could dip in and out of more than 60 performances of modern and traditional jazz, blues, swing, soul, funk and world rhythms staged at venues across the town.

The company has been connected with the Festival for a number of years but this was its first time as lead sponsor. Mr Bendelow said: “When we reached our 40th birthday this year I couldn’t think of a better way for us to celebrate than by supporting and enjoying such a fabulous weekend of top quality music. As usual the organisers put on a fantastic programme of quality acts from around the world in venues including tea shops, pubs, marquees and car parks – there was even music in the fire station!”