The BBC have been backing Cambridge as if there was no other festival for only the last 4 years. They backed the wrong horse in 2003 after Steve Heap announced that he would no longer be running Sidmouth and this was a factor which probably mitigated against the festival getting any dosh from the council in Devon.

It was announced recently that the BBC would not sponsor Cambridge next year but have not (as far as I have noticed) come out yet in favour of anywhere else. I suppose it will depend on the outcome of the dodgy practice review and whether the Smoothies are still in the loop. One hopes very much not. The Young Folk Award is already suspended. My view, obviously, is that the entire production process should be brought back inhouse. We'll see.