The dynamic double-act behind Winchester's Hat Fair took their final bow this week.

Cat Loriggio, director of celebrations of the street festival, left to become a festivals and events officer in Tower Hamlets, London. And Paul Chamberlain, chairman of the Hat Fair committee for 13 years, announced that he would be standing down.

The pair bid the city farewell at a party on Friday in Winchester's Slug and Lettuce, a pub which has been at the centre of many Hat Fair events.

Cat started working with the Hat Fair in 1999 and in her three years has notched up five new shows and several record attendances for the street theatre festival.

She has built up the event's school and community programme, as well as introduced the "twelfth night cabaret".

Jonathan Kay, the Hat Fair's artistic director, said: "Cat's contribution to the Hat Fair and the community has been enormous. She has built the Hat Fair into one of the country's most popular festivals and she'll be a tough act to follow."

Cat added: "Winchester Hat Fair is an extraordinary event - the performers love playing here because of the unique atmosphere. We have staged some fab events and the people of Winchester should not take it for granted."

Paul said he had been thinking of retiring from the steering committee for a while, but this seemed like the perfect opportunity to let fresh blood take over.

Grenville Houser, who joined the committee last year, has agreed to take the helm and the group are advertising for a replacement for Cat.

Once the new management is in place, hopefully by the end of October, Grenville said they will be outlining plans for the Hat Fair for the next three years.