Festival to end ? (From Gazette Series)

Festival to end ?

AFTER making a thumping loss this year, Dursley Town Festival is in danger of dying if help is not forthcoming from local residents, businesses and voluntary groups.

At the recent review meeting of the Dursley Town Festival Group, which numbers just seven stirling souls, festival co-ordinator Phil Dee reported that this year's festival had made a loss of £2,300.

"If we can't get support and can't recoup the loss, next year's festival will be the last," he said.

Reviewing individual events this year, Mr Dee said the rambles around the town had been well attended and the historical talk by David Evans had made a profit, despite clashing with bellringing practice.

The family picnic held for the first time this year had also been successful, as had the street entertainers on the Saturday morning while the procession attracted more entries than the previous year.

However, the Friday evening concert in the marquee was not as well attended as had been hoped and people went home early.

The group also felt that the fun fair rides on the recreation ground were too expensive which led to a lack of business and an early shut-down.

The number of stalls run by clubs and societies on the recreation ground had also been disappointing this year.

The group has plenty of ideas for improving the festival for next year, including a youth cabaret organised by the Youth Council and a professional public address system, but help is desperately needed for the events to succeed.

"Seven people cannot make it happen by themselves," said Mr Dee. "If the people of Dursley want a summer festival every year then they must at least be prepared to come up with an idea or two and at best actually help out a bit in the weeks leading up to the event and during the festival weekend.

"Ideally we would like the local sports clubs and youth groups to lend a hand as well as voluntary groups such as the Lions and Rotary and possibly retired people with a bit of time on their hands.

"With a bit more help we could put on a festival that would be the envy of the county."

Anyone keen to see the festival carry on beyond next year and would like to serve on the committee or who would like to help out in even a small way is welcome to attend the Dursley Town Festival annual meeting at the town hall on Monday, November 7 at 7.30pm or ring Phil Dee on 0791