The dates for the 2nd Weymouth Folk Festival this year are 9th - 11th May.
Top names already confirmed include Oysterband, The Yetties and Martin
Simpson.
Keep an eye on the website for more information on artists performing.
www.weymouth.gov.uk

Now I find myself in very difficult position. I would really like for this
to be a success and for you all to come and enjoy Weymouth and Portland.

However, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council are organising/funding this
festival and most of the events take place in their theatre.

This council have used their broad interpretation of the 'two in a bar'
exemption to prevent an unpaid folk sessions and are just about to use it
against another long-running session. They have also insisted on a licensing
condition that banned Morris dancing.

I have been trying for two years to get the councillors to change their
current definition of the word 'performer'. A change to a narrower
definition, open to them, that would enable these events, not to be classed
as public entertainment and be in line with Human Rights legislation, but to
no avail.

They do not see this as an important enough issue and are under the
impression that few people care.

Now whether you come and support this council's Folk Festival must be a
matter for you. But whether you intend to come or not, can I ask that you
make your views known to the Chief Executive Tom Grainger as to how best he
can ensure future support from the folk community for their folk festival?

TomGrainger@weymouth.gov.uk

And copied to the local paper.

Dorset Evening Echo newsdesk@dorsetecho

Many thanks