Warm welcome for two-day music festival

1:23pm Saturday 19th July 2008

BRIDPORT is already on the map for its food culture and now it may be poised to do the same with music.

Bridport Town Councillors gave a resounding thumbs up to the idea of a two-day world music festival on Askers Meadow next year.

Town clerk Bob Gills told members of the finance and general purposes committee that a company called Chesil Promotions wanted to hold a festival in September 2009.

Mr Gillis said: "It is only an enquiry at the moment. I have met with them and I got the impression that they were experienced organisers.

"I was also very impressed with their ambition for a two-day festival.

"It is not going to be a Glastonbury on Askers Meadows but a family festival with the music stopping at 10pm on the Saturday and 5pm on the Sunday.

"They are keen to work with schools and it will be very much a local event with a small stage for local musicians and the main marquee for world bands."

He said it was very early days and the council would need to discuss what fee to charge and make sure the proper licences were in place.

Coun Martin Ray said he very much welcomed the idea and particularly the idea for a small stage as a platform for local students.

"I am still a student - I might get up and have a go, I promise you I will," he said.

"It is not going to be loud punk rock, although I am pretty good at that!"

Coun Karl Wallace said it was a brilliant idea that fitted in well with the creative community in Bridport and a music festival would just add another tier.

"And there is nothing wrong with punk!" he said.

Coun Ros Kayes said she was really excited about the idea when it was first suggested and with the experience of the organisers they were bound to attract interesting acts from all over the world as well as giving a chance to focus on local talent.

She said Bridport was very rich in local talent and our musicians did not get the same amount of publicity as others.

Coun Roger Stoodley, while welcoming the idea, said he had reservations the same as any sensible person would and said it was important to make sure all the proper licences were in place and the event properly supervised.

"My grandson has just played at Glastonbury - I am sure he'd like to come and play in Bridport," he said.

Coun Ray said that as Keith Hatch was involved it was highly likely that he could encourage local teenagers to get involved.

Coun David Tett added: "My foot is already tapping.

"I thought at first it might be a mini Glastonbury but this will be another event in the Bridport calendar to be very welcomed and good for young people as well as the young at heart."