RocknRoots Festival cancelled

11:01am Thursday 14th August 2008

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By Ian Morris »

A LANDMARK Herefordshire music festival has been cancelled, days before famous bands from around the globe were set to play in the county.

Jefferson Starship, The Animals and Cerys Matthews were among the 62 acts set to wow the crowds at the RocknRoots Festival at Much Marcle over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

However, Herefordshire Council said yesterday (Wednesday) the promoters had failed to advertise the event sufficiently to people living in Much Marcle in order to obtain the necessary licence.

Festival director Mike Stephens called the decision a tragedy for the county’s cultural music scene and said it would also be disastrous for local businesses.

“Herefordshire really has lost out here and the music industry will just ignore the county from now on,” he said. “I have lost £120,000 personally but local restaurants and B&Bs will lose bookings, young musicians will miss out, and the bands who had booked flights from overseas will no longer play.

“It’s just a disaster for everyone.”

Mr Stephens, who was selling the four-day tickets for £70 to an expected crowd of 5,000, believes he had followed the right procedure to obtain the correct licence, saying he had put up notices all around Much Marcle informing people early on of his festival plans.

“This has been cancelled over a small technicality and it is just a massive shame for everyone involved,” he said.“There was no objection from the police or the fire authorities and the only people to object to the festival wereaminority in the village.”

Mr Stephens has the right to appeal to the High Court or for a judicial review, but felt there was too little time.

“I will be speaking to my solicitor but as far as I am concerned the festival is off,” he told the Hereford Times yesterday.“Those who have bought tickets will get their money back.”

Kevin O’Keefe, Herefordshire Council’s legal practice manager, said: “Unfortunately the applicant failed to advertise his planned event in accordance with the requirements of law.

“This was further compounded by a combination of other errors he made in the application process.

“The committee needed to decide firstly whether or not the application had been properly made. They decided it had not.

“We are acutely aware of the disappointment that this decision will cause to many who have purchased tickets and who were looking forward to this event but, having fully considered this matter, have reached a decision that is consistent with previous decisions."