Thousands miss out on refunds for flood-hit event

8:30am Thursday 23rd August 2007

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THOUSANDS of people have been left out of pocket after the company that runs an annual medieval festival, that was cancelled because of flooding, said it was facing liquidation.

The Berkeley Joust was due to run over two consecutive weekends last month, but was called off when torrential rain flooded the meadow at Berkeley Castle.

Many people who bought tickets in advance are still without refunds and the company that runs the event, The Grail Presents, says it is facing an uncertain future.

A statement on its website says: "We are currently seeking advice as to find the best way to save the Joust festival but unfortunately one option currently is to liquidate the company."

It is estimated there were more than 6,000 advance ticket sales, but it is not clear if any will receive refunds. Ticket prices ranged from £10 to over £50.

Ruth Minton-Morgan, 42, of Kingswood, spent £500 on eight tickets for the VIP banquet at the Joust, and has been unable to get her money back.

She said she was angry that no one was taking responsibility.

"You speak to the castle and they say the Joust is run by a different company and you call the Joust company and all you get is a voice message telling you to look at their website.

"The website tells you to speak to your credit card company to claim the money back, but I didn't pay by credit card and I can't believe for one second that everybody else did," she said.

Tim Davies, marketing director for the Berkeley Estate, said the Joust was run by an outside company which hired the meadow from the castle.

He said: "The Grail Presents organised the Joust. They do all the event's organising including tickets. We can't offer anyone refunds because we've never had the money."

Maurice Bacon, spokesman for The Grail Presents, said: "We've spent six years building up the Joust and we've been wiped out overnight by the flooding.

"We are trying to sort out the company. We've advised people with credit cards to use that option to get their money back.

"A lot of money has been lost. It's not like we just had a bad year when only a few people turned up - no one came because it didn't happen at all.

"We are upset by the whole thing as are the people who have lost money and we are trying to resolve that. Unfortunately this was an act of God."

The Joust is a medieval festival that brings to the town authentic armoured knights who siege the castle and a large living history village with encampments. It was in its sixth year this year.

The Grail Presents said it would update its website with any further information at www.joust.info.