Strawberry Fest Enniscorthy.

St Senan

zerks wrote: »

The pubs etc. made a nice few quid over the weekend,they will only be interested in something that makes them money-if people are on the street enjoying entertainment they aint in the pubs,hotels etc. spending money.!

It's the Take aways restaurants Pubs and Hotels that benefit the most regardless of whether the people are in them or drinking on the streets. People will need some where to sleep and eat some pubs will have their own Entertainment lined up with an Admission fee and with bar extensions at the weekends.

Cantona's Collars

Calculated risks need to be taken regards the festival,if you attract people to it you need to grow and innovate to keep them coming back.Putting on the same show that worked 20 years ago won't work anymore-the public want a wow factor.Witnessed it myself over the weekend with night time entertainment,people sat back as if they were in their living rooms instead of getting caught up in the occasion.A huge amount of locals didn't even venture near the town centre and treated it like a normal weekend,hardly going to lead to growth there.But there is hope-use the successful festivals as a template,get modern and relevant entertainment,renew local interest and sponsors and with luck the festival will be reborn,grow and prosper instead of limping from year to year to oblivion. (Another thing-lock up the local scallies for the weekend it's on and cut down drunken antisocial behaviour at the fair by 90%:D)

'scorthy

Well done jpb1974; at least someone got off their ass and followed up! You've all made some very valid points but I don't think you've grasped the reason why there is a Strawberry (Fair) Festival. AISP: It's purpose is to SELL Strawberries. For many of us it gave summer employment either picking the fruit or working in Chivers, pubs took on extra staff and local businesses benefited from the extra through trade during the slack summer time. The committee consisted of representatives from the main social organisations; tidy towns, youth group, social services and growers. I was never privy to how much the growers contributed financially to the committee's coffers but I always felt that they were doing us a favour by growing the fruit while we worked to come up with self-financing novel ideas to create entertainment that wouldn't burden their profits. Now we're having a post-mortem on a festival based on entertainment value - but the growers are looking at how many punnets were sold and will base their opinion on that criterion.
All the great suggestions put forward on this thread have at some time over the history of the fair been tried. I know the frustration of the committee and their attempts to bring in new blood only to have their ambitions for the 'best fair ever!' dashed because there was no funds and the weather. It's easy come up with suggestions but having the manpower and inclination to follow it up and get the job done is daunting. The simplest event or activity has to be carefully planed, insured, H&S, feasibility, your time etc.
Let's wait for jpb1974 and the results of the autopsy but look forward to the other festivals coming up in the town soon. Do they need our help?

jpb1974

Just some additional feedback from a few of people I spoke to about the fair yesterday evening -

* I gave a friend of my mother a lift down from Gorey last night. She was of the opinion that the ban on drinking in the Market Square was a real atmosphere killer. When I told her that people were being stopped and having their bags searched she was shocked.

* I didn't go into the Fair on Saturday night but my other half trekked in with my mother. I told her about this thread last night and her response was "If Saturday night's entertainment was anything to go by then people are probably right to feel annoyed, it was an absolute embarrassment".

* I asked my mother this morning about the entertainment on Saturday night. She said it was very poor, people didn't know any of the songs and they just couldn't get into it.

So, just a few additional opinions there.

It should be noted that the other half, the mother and myself all enjoyed Sunday night.

jpb1974

Personally speaking I'd be saddened to think that in this day and age the major criteria for the success of the fair would be based on the number of punnets sold.

I'd also be curious to know - how many people who have complained about the festival on this thread would be willing to step up and join the committee and make a real contribution to making the fair better?

The one reason that I don't give out about the fair too much is because -

(a) for me it's free

and

(b) I know I wouldn't have the time, drive or commitment to join the committee

It is interesting that zerks (who started this thread) posts the Stawberry Fair Contact link in this thread but it doesn't appear like he/she has actually gone to the effort to use it... or for that matter thank me for doing what he/she hadn't the balls to do. An armchair expert methinks.

Cantona's Collars

Thanks for your input jpb1974-I forgot to thank you earlier.DIDN'T LIKE YOUR ARMCHAIR EXPERT JIBE THOUGH!!! I shouldn't need to explain myself on a forum but due to work constraints (unsocial hours) and previous experience with approaching the commitee in the past on allowing young blood some input into the fair,I wouldn't be hopeful when trying that again. Don't cast judgement on people without a foundation. On your point that the fair is free-just because something is free doesn't mean it has to be mediocre.Maybe if a poll of the people as to what they want to see in the fair was conducted and try work on that.Did you ever approach the organisers with ideas before? I doubt it-Cast the first stone etc. etc.

jpb1974

zerks.. you now have an opportunity to make a difference. You can see all the problems and seem to have a number of solutions.

If you want the fair to change, adapt and ultimately get better you can't have this 'I tried and failed' attitude.

The email addresses are posted below... so I say go for it, you've nothing to lose really. I certainly think there'd be more to gain because let's face it... these internet forum debates rarely actually go anywhere. There's about 15-20 regular contributors on the Wexford forum... really not enough to make a huge difference.

Helen Brady
<Helen.Brady@enniscorthytc.ie>

Sean Doyle
<sean.doyle@enniscorthytc.ie>

Cantona's Collars

Rant over:D There was a good point made by 'scorthy regarding insurance etc. for public events-how many festivals,field days parades etc have died due to extortionate insurance rates.Recently we tried to organise fund raisers for a soccer club but every fun,novel and money making idea fell on its ass due to insurance not letting us do anything. The amount of expenditure before a band or any other entertainer is paid hamstrings a lot of organisers.Even so,The South East is overlooked a lot by powers that be-any festival in the West is supported to the hilt,this is a trend through everything,employment,infrastructure etc. This point has been discussed at length before so here is not the place to drag it up but a bit of support would be nice.Imagine how big the fair would be if Brian Cowen was from Enniscorthy.

jpb1974

Imagine how big the fair would be if Brian Cowen was from Enniscorthy.

And he agreed to sit in one of those yokes where if you can hit the target with a ball he's dunked in the water.... it'd be huge.... people from all around Ireland would show up and gladly pay €5 to throw a few balls.

The money from this could be used to fund a set by U2.

Cantona's Collars

Ha Ha-nice one,the mental picture is hilarious.Just had a quick glance at local paper-somebody was reading boards.I won't comment further as I only read the article quickly,I'll get a chance later but the gist of it corresponds with a lot of what has been said on here.

jpb1974

Just had a quick glance at local paper

The Echo I take it? Must check it out.

Judgement Day

jpb1974 wrote: »

And he agreed to sit in one of those yokes where if you can hit the target with a ball he's dunked in the water.... it'd be huge.... people from all around Ireland would show up and gladly pay €5 to throw a few balls.

The money from this could be used to fund a set by U2.

Better still put Biffo and Bono in the same stocks (if you can find one big enough for Bono's head) and I'll pay €10 a throw. Now we're talking serious fundraising.

'scorthy

zerks wrote: »

...Just had a quick glance at local paper-somebody was reading boards...the gist of it corresponds with a lot of what has been said on here.

Zerks, that also occurred to me...O.K. Own up...whose the journalist on Wexford boards!? In both papers I warrant.

...Personally speaking I'd be saddened to think that in this day and age the major criteria for the success of the fair would be based on the number of punnets sold.

Cyril Wheelock "...how the market for soft fruit has changed. Gone are the days when 13 TONNES of berries were sold at the fair which was timed to coincide with the harvest..." So there you have it, not so much measured in punnets but tonnes. It's all about the berries! What those who are seriously committed to improving the quality of the festival need to know is what is the commitment of the growers to the continued 'success' of the fair?

jpb1974

The funny thing is... I can't stand strawberries.

I developed a phobia of them... I think it stems from the days when I was forced out the door by my mother to sit in Andy Wrigley's field(s) from the crack of dawn till late afternoon picking the feckin yokes.

To this day the thought of picking strawberries still sends shivers down my spine... but I think it should be mandatory for every young teen to be sent picking strawberries for a week... it's an essential life experience.

St Senan

I reckon we have members of the local council reading what we have said here on boards.ie
http://enniscorthyguardian.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
So now maybe this will be the Kick in Arse that is needed along with new younger comittee members to make the strawberry fair popular again.

Cantona's Collars

The dawn of a new era for Strawberry Festival-will we get an honourable mention?:D

Bearhunter

It surprises me - given the number of people who go to the county during the summer - that there isn't more of a festival atmosphere around the place. I know it's an expensive game running a festival (I've organised a few events myself) but has any thought been given to organising a line-up of bands (of all styles) to go do a Wexford circuitduring the summer? They could play the Strawberry fair, Dunbrody, Eileen Aroon, Gorey Summer Fair, Blackstairs Blues etc and also set up smaller versions at the likes of Courtown, Curracloe, Carne and Rosslare between festivals. It's a lot cheaper to get bands when you can offer them a slate of gigs. And it would make the county a hell of an attractive proposition for people to come to.

LoanShark

For What its worth..

I'm a blow in..From Donegal But Married to a Wexford Girl ..

We had the same problems in our town regarding the Summer festivals..
In the hey-day we had a festival to be proud of and the whole comunity benefited from it, as years went on the commitees changed and people came in with different ideas and personalities clashed and the 'quality' suffered..
4 years ago a group got together and created a new festival commitee and started to work with a new revival plan for the festival..They fund raise all year round, they have Poker Classics,Table Quiz, Concerts and Discos..They use the WHOLE town to its potential and include all businesses to help with the planning and promotion of the event..
We use the river for Duck Races and the Waterbus for tours with music..
Local Groups also play their part,The walking Club take people out on hikes, The soccer club has the Bar vs Bar, the Gaa Club has the over 50s game,The Local diving club organise a serch and rescue demo..
They have a Food promotion with all the restaurants taking part and have food journalists come down and give their review on their experiences...
The festival line ups are really impressive and crowds come out and show their support..
Drinking on the diamond is allowed with a cleanup crew consistantly on the go to look after broken glass and keep the bins from over flowing..

This is the link..
http://donegaltownsummerfestival.wordpress.com/

I work in Ferns and had alot of people say that they were dissapointed with the Strawberry Fair and how they felt it was slowly going down..

It can be fixed, Just open the doors to new blood...

Mr.Mister

LoanShark wrote: »

For What its worth..

I'm a blow in..From Donegal But Married to a Wexford Girl ..

We had the same problems in our town regarding the Summer festivals..
In the hey-day we had a festival to be proud of and the whole comunity benefited from it, as years went on the commitees changed and people came in with different ideas and personalities clashed and the 'quality' suffered..
4 years ago a group got together and created a new festival commitee and started to work with a new revival plan for the festival..They fund raise all year round, they have Poker Classics,Table Quiz, Concerts and Discos..They use the WHOLE town to its potential and include all businesses to help with the planning and promotion of the event..
We use the river for Duck Races and the Waterbus for tours with music..
Local Groups also play their part,The walking Club take people out on hikes, The soccer club has the Bar vs Bar, the Gaa Club has the over 50s game,The Local diving club organise a serch and rescue demo..
They have a Food promotion with all the restaurants taking part and have food journalists come down and give their review on their experiences...
The festival line ups are really impressive and crowds come out and show their support..
Drinking on the diamond is allowed with a cleanup crew consistantly on the go to look after broken glass and keep the bins from over flowing..

This is the link..
http://donegaltownsummerfestival.wordpress.com/

I work in Ferns and had alot of people say that they were dissapointed with the Strawberry Fair and how they felt it was slowly going down..

It can be fixed, Just open the doors to new blood...

I completely agree with you there,i was only down for the weekend and thought it was atroshis but i made an example of the Mitchelstown Music Festival from a few years ago,it started out small but year by year they made it bigger and better,and now it's a big festival:

http://indiependencefestival.com/

Just goes to show what potential things have!

'scorthy

43 years on the go...you'd think we'd get the formula right by now!

Strawberry Fair Forever!

Cantona's Collars

OH NO! Ban news for all Jedward fans.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1291926/T4-On-The-Beach-Jedwards-Edward-Grimes-hospital-Ghostbusters-routine-fall.html Hop they're fit and ready to save Strawberry Festival 2011:D btw, where was Richie Kavanagh this year,really missed him-NOT

Sully

Mod Note

Hi folks,
I have removed individuals names from the emails put up here (earlier in this topic). When contacting officials, please keep their names out when publishing what the reply was.

Thanks.

jpb1974

Hi folks,
I have removed individuals names from the emails put up here (earlier in this topic). When contacting officials, please keep their names out when publishing what the reply was.

Thanks.

They never did get back to me after their Festival Review.

Didn't come as any surprise to be honest.

See you all next year...

Cantona's Collars

Hate to say "I told you so" but did you honestly expect anything from them?

jpb1974

Hate to say "I told you so" but did you honestly expect anything from them?

Honestly... 'no'... I was about 95% sure I'd never hear from them again.

Sully

Raise the issue with your local councilor if you feel that strongly about it lads, might be a better avenue of getting your voice heard.

jpb1974

Sure our voice has been heard...

The Enniscorthy Guardian has published an article.

The Strawberry Festival Committee are aware of this thread.

Councillor Sean Doyle is aware of this thread.

It's not a matter of getting heard, it's case of being ignored.

RKQ

Unfortunately the Echo Newspaper reports some events after the fact. There is little in the way of "Whats on Next week".
This year we seem to have a different festival on every week - I can't understand why some of these festivals can't be held with the Strawberry Fair?

Lots of small poorly advertised festivals or one or two large festivals?

The current Strawberry Fair requires fresh blood, fresh ideas, full sponsorship and the support of the townspeople.

If I had the cash, I'd put a floating stage on the river between the 2 bridges, close Templeshannon Quay nightly at 7pm. (The large stone island in the river could support a truck stage this year.)

I'd incorporate a two way traffic system on Rafter Bridge. The Carnival would be put on the Prom, with stalls along the river - The Town Council would encourage local people to sell their wears - food, baking, veg, timber crafts, arts, crafts etc.

In fact shop keepers that Sponsor the Fair could have a free stall to sell clothes, shoes, sweets, soft drinks, toys, DVD's, hardware, etc. Business people & Itinerants could also hire a low rent stall.

This would mean the Old Bridge & Templeshannon Quay would be used for seating - great view from the Old Bridge. Passing traffic would see the festival was on and might stop in the town.

The Fair would straddle both sides of the river, in the heart of the town.
All year fund raising would be required and lots of the ideas above could be used to put the Fair back on the map.:)

Cantona's Collars

The amount of locals that think the fair lost it's 'soul' due to being moved from the Abbey Square/Prom area is huge.It was originally moved due to the redevelopment of the Abbey Square and never returned to where it belongs.The amount of traffic heading along the N11 to and from Rosslare that never even knows a festival is on in the town would amaze you.

Maybe I'm being a conspiracy theorist by suggesting vested interests are stopping the fair from being moved back to where it should be-Abbey Square!! It needs new ideas and a committee that won't even respond to public input is worse than useless.

Hate to see who headlines next year-Richie Kavanagh anyone?:(

JupiterKid

If I had the cash, I'd put a floating stage on the river between the 2 bridges, close Templeshannon Quay nightly at 7pm. (The large stone island in the river could support a truck stage this year.)

I'd incorporate a two way traffic system on Rafter Bridge. The Carnival would be put on the Prom, with stalls along the river - The Town Council would encourage local people to sell their wears - food, baking, veg, timber crafts, arts, crafts etc.

In fact shop keepers that Sponsor the Fair could have a free stall to sell clothes, shoes, sweets, soft drinks, toys, DVD's, hardware, etc. Business people & Itinerants could also hire a low rent stall.

This would mean the Old Bridge & Templeshannon Quay would be used for seating - great view from the Old Bridge. Passing traffic would see the festival was on and might stop in the town.

Some really good ideas there!

Maybe when Enniscorthy is finally bypassed the fair could be staged along the River Slaney? It's the town's biggest asset and should be used to full advantage.:)

'scorthy

There's a column in this weeks Echo in reference to the Strawberry Festival and Cllr. John O'Rouke's contribution to the discussion. It appears that the Dunbrody got €100k to fund their festival but no mention, only a thanks from the SF committee to the council for their sponsorship & support, of how much the E.T council contributed. I also get the impression that some of the feedback referred to is coming from these boards.;)

Cantona's Collars

All posts on this thread :copyright Zerks productions,all unauthorised use is punishable by law:D:D:D
Seriously though it seems we may be getting through to someone-The Town Council are gona hate us.Wouldn't it be nice if they put forward a representative on here to answer our questions and enter the debates/arguments of the man on the street.

'scorthy

zerks wrote: »

...Seriously though it seems we may be getting through to someone-The Town Council are gona hate us.Wouldn't it be nice if they put forward a representative on here to answer our questions and enter the debates/arguments of the man on the street.

It would...but that's not going to happen. It's agin de rules!

Sully

'scorthy wrote: »

It would...but that's not going to happen. It's agin de rules!

Which rules?

'scorthy

Sully wrote: »

Which rules?

Well, that's the topic of another thread .
We are all bound by rules, whether it be the rule of law, rules of etiquette and decency etc...Councillors, like members of any organisation are bound by governing rules...keep your mouth shut...is a primary rule. Like the adage "if you stand up, prepare to be shot down" and even Councillors have feelings. Although reading recently about the exit of poor Colm Webb I think decency and etiquette went out the windows of the chamber!

Bearhunter

http://www.enniscorthyecho.ie/news/story/?trs=mhgbidsncw&cat=news

Good old Enniscorthy Council. Talk about it til the cows come home and pat yourselves on the back for putting some funding in place, but whatever you do lads, don't actually DO anything...

Cantona's Collars

Did you see this article,kinda sums up the apathy in the town at the moment-
http://www.enniscorthyecho.ie/news/story/?trs=mhgbsnaucw&cat=news .Why didn't they try and incorporate the event into the Strawberry Festival.As for using waiting on the bypass as a reason for not moving back to Abbey Square is bull,it was there for years when there was only bridge and wasn't as easy to divert traffic with no major congestion problems.They are able to re-route traffic around the town when we have floods down that way and the area is closed so why the problem with having the Fair down there again?

Bearhunter

I did see it. Appalling, I thought, especially the theft from the car owners. Also I notice on the Ache-o that the Tesco development has cropped up again but the council believes it's none of their business. That's astounding. I would have thought that economic development and job creation were core business for councils, but I'm clearly wrong. The council have apparently decided that 1972 was the best year ever in enniscorthy and want to keep the town there. Jesus wept.

Cantona's Collars

Makes me proud to be from the town,it's slowly going down the drain and nobody seems to care (except for the few that air opinions on here) The Strawberry Fair sums up the state of things in the town.

Bearhunter

I wish I was still living there. I'd go to every council meeting and take notes, just to make them think that someone was keeping an eye on their performance. The council seems to refuse to entertain the idea that it's part of the problem rather than part of the solution. They haven't had an original idea since 1966. Everything has been reactionary and glacially slow. I really believe they have completely ignored the novel idea that they might actually be there to represent the community. The level of disconnection between the council and people in the street seems massive.

Judgement Day

zerks wrote: »

Did you see this article,kinda sums up the apathy in the town at the moment-
http://www.enniscorthyecho.ie/news/story/?trs=mhgbsnaucw&cat=news .Why didn't they try and incorporate the event into the Strawberry Festival.As for using waiting on the bypass as a reason for not moving back to Abbey Square is bull,it was there for years when there was only bridge and wasn't as easy to divert traffic with no major congestion problems.They are able to re-route traffic around the town when we have floods down that way and the area is closed so why the problem with having the Fair down there again?

I live bang in the centre of town, haven't been away for ages but somehow missed this completely. Unless it was related to some heavy rock music played in the Market Square in the middle of the afternoon a week or two ago? A few children and their mothers were the only audience - thankfully it didn't last long. Could they not find another venue for the rock music say the Little Saltee island? It's bad enough trying to get any peace in town between "boy racers", drunks shouting and roaring and all hours of the day and the incessant noise of defective burglar alarms!

jpb1974

Re: The Rockabilly Weekend -

(a) I wasn't aware it was on, I never seen a single advertisement for it (that's not to say there weren't any)

(b) It wasn't free. Tickets were €20, or €45 for the entire weekend. Bit pricey unless it was your thing.

(c) How many people in town do you know that like Rockabilly music?

(d) Weather was crap

(e) I heard about the classic car show. I went down to take some photos to discover they were in the Bailey car park and you had to pay to get in... I wasn't paying €20 to take a few photos

discobrother1

I see someone earier in the Thread posted links to the lineup for the Dunbrody Festival Vs Strawberry Festival. I wonder if we were to complete the same exercise this year, what the verdict would be. A big change is in the air....... watch this space!!!!!

St Senan

discobrother1 wrote: »

I see someone earier in the Thread posted links to the lineup for the Dunbrody Festival Vs Strawberry Festival. I wonder if we were to complete the same exercise this year, what the verdict would be. A big change is in the air....... watch this space!!!!!

JEDWARD to headline the strawberry fair????????.

discobrother1

Eh nope i dont think so... Full details to follow REALLY soon... watch this and other media.

St Senan

discobrother1 wrote: »

Eh nope i dont think so... Full details to follow REALLY soon... watch this and other media.

To be honest mate it will take a hell of a lot of Talent and top class Acts to get the Strawberry fair recognised like the the Dunbrody. their needs to be a headliner like Jedward for the 12-16 year old.
A top DJ like Fatboy slim, Carl cox, Tall paul, or DJ tiesto, for the 16 - upwards. So there is really no need to be in a guessing game over the Fair. If there is no acts like what i mentioned this year the forget about it.

discobrother1

scaller wrote: »

To be honest mate it will take a hell of a lot of Talent and top class Acts to get the Strawberry fair recognised like the the Dunbrody. their needs to be a headliner like Jedward for the 12-16 year old.
A top DJ like Fatboy slim, Carl cox, Tall paul, or DJ tiesto, for the 16 - upwards. So there is really no need to be in a guessing game over the Fair. If there is no acts like what i mentioned this year the forget about it.

Please tell me your having a laugh. When have you ever seeen tiesto or coxy or the likes at the dunbrody festival, or any other "town" festival for that matter. Yeah your defo messin right?

Cantona's Collars

I mentioned early on this thread that local (and talented) dj's offered their services before but were turned down-the commitee favoured the likes of Johnny McEvoy and Richie Kavanagh.Old hat and not of interest anymore-those type of acts have had their day.
We do have to be realistic in what we want but that shouldn't deter anyone from looking for decent modern acts that suit ALL ages not just the blue rinse brigade.The kids entertainment during the day is fine but its later where the whole thing falls down.
I'm sure a bit of haggling,wheeling and dealing and even begging would get some decent acts to the stage in Enniscorthy.Entice bands/acts to be part of the rebirth of the festival.

And a note to the local Gardai-drachonian measures on drinking are not needed,the dogs in the street know who the troublemakers are-they are present every year so ban them from the town centre and keep the partying for decent folk.

Centralise the whole festival-it's too spread out and hasn't enough at either end of the town as individual attractions,they would work better all in the one place as was the case years ago.

St Senan

discobrother1 wrote: »

Please tell me your having a laugh. When have you ever seeen tiesto or coxy or the likes at the dunbrody festival, or any other "town" festival for that matter. Yeah your defo messin right?

If you are part of the committee or you Know What major acts or Djs are headlining the Strawberry fair please Feel Free to name them.

I am having no laugh at all. I am using these DJs as an example Top DJs can be hired to do nightclubs in Dublin and Waterford so why cant the Fair committe do the same. We all know that the fair is dead compared to the Dunbrody. A major headliner like Jedward will attract a huge crowd. The Millenium Drum in 1998 drew thousands to the Fair Green that night. Even with the Fleadh Ceoil on in the Market Square.

To keep the Fair alive we all know there needs to be change in the Committee new younger people with new ideas and younger fresher talent.
The likes of Diversity and JLS would draw a massive crowd. Even the BlueMan Group on stage in the square would be better than Ritchie kavanagh.

discobrother1

scaller wrote: »

If you are part of the committee or you Know What major acts or Djs are headlining the Strawberry fair please Feel Free to name them.

I am having no laugh at all. I am using these DJs as an example Top DJs can be hired to do nightclubs in Dublin and Waterford so why cant the Fair committe do the same. We all know that the fair is dead compared to the Dunbrody. A major headliner like Jedward will attract a huge crowd. The Millenium Drum in 1998 drew thousands to the Fair Green that night. Even with the Fleadh Ceoil on in the Market Square.

To keep the Fair alive we all know there needs to be change in the Committee new younger people with new ideas and younger fresher talent.
The likes of Diversity and JLS would draw a massive crowd. Even the BlueMan Group on stage in the square would be better than Ritchie kavanagh.

As much as a major fan of dance music that I am I dont think those djs are the answer to whats pretty much regarded as a family. Hopefully we will have all the details ready for media release within the next fortnight.

Most of the suggestions that have been made in this thread have been incorporated into the new format. Whats strange is that I only came across this thread in the last couple of days so its defo true that great minds think alike eh.

As far as me being on the committee... The answer is no but I run an events promotions company who will be producing the festival on behalf of the committee/ town council.