'Back Chippenham's folk festival or lose it'

5:48pm Friday 16th May 2008

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CHIPPENHAM Folk Festival organiser Bob Berry has urged Wiltshire people to back the event or risk losing it.

Mr Berry says season ticket sales this year have been slow and with just over a week until the festival starts there are still scores left unsold.

He said: "It's worrying that we have this many tickets left when we only sell just over 1,000 in total anyway.

"I think it is the weather and the economic crisis we are suffering that has meant that we are left with tickets."

He still needs to sell about 120 at £68 a time before the event begins next Friday.

The festival costs £120,000 to stage and relies on season ticket sales to boost its coffers. Chippenham plastics firm Wavin is once again its main sponsor but Mr Berry thinks more companies need to become involved.

Thousands of people always turn out for the popular free High Street parades of Morris dancing but the festival needs to sell tickets for its many dance and music acts that are staged at venues throughout the town.

"The festival brings so much to the town and area. We have so many different things going on.

"There are around 275 different activities going on over the weekend, which is a lot more than many other festivals manage.

"We also bring in thousands of pounds to the town each year. People will spend about £40 each day of the weekend they come to the festival."

The festival is in its 37th year and among the acts to be featured over the Bank Holiday weekend are Solas, an Irish band, who will perform for the first time in the UK. Other debut performances include George Papavgeris and Albatross Pie. Mr Berry said: "There is something here for all of the family, with youth concerts and activities for children.

"I just hope that people will come forward and help us even if it is just offering us a service for a discounted price.

"By buying tickets people will be helping us a great deal and funding all the activities that will take place both indoors and out.

"Alternatively, if each person coming to the event donates a pound we could fund next year's event just on the donations raised."

There is plenty of opportunity throughout the weekend for people to donate money with the pop-in-a- pound scheme; there will be donation boxes at venues throughout the town.

Ticket prices range from £15 for evening tickets to £68 for a full season ticket. For more information about the Chippenham Folk Festival or how to buy tickets log on to www.chippfolk.co.uk or call (01249) 657190.