The council tax-payers of Weymouth AND PORTLAND are putting up the money. As they pay for the Council owned and promoted Pavilion Theatre, where the festival takes place and all the concerts are staged.

I think it is pretty clear from the PR, to anyone but this so-called 'committee', whose show it really is and who is actually making the decisions. Also that this 'committee' are being shamefully used in this PR to try and add some validity to the idea that this 2nd festival is anything much more than a promotion to shore up the council's own theatre.

[Mrs Shambles comments]
Following last years festival, I offered my services to the elected Chair of the Economic, Tourism and Promotion Committee to help in anyway practical in the arrangements for forthcoming festivals. I was referred to the Manager of the Pavilion where I offered to join the organising committee. I was politely informed that these services were not required and that no 'committee' existed.

I also offered to attend the meeting to be held by the 'committee' to discuss how last years festival had 'worked out'. I made it known That I had 'feedback' that might have proven helpful regarding future festivals. I was informed by the manager of the Pavlion that it might be best not to attend this meeting, (perhaps too many people, or perhaps a fear of a free and open mind).

I also enquired as to what provision would be made regarding activities/events taking place on Portland. After all, under almost all circumstances the Weymouth AND PORTLAND Borough Council is referred to, but for this event it would appear that only Weymouth is recognised. I was informed by the manager of the Pavilion that at this time the focus would be upon a Weymouth based festival.

I am particularly interested in supporting/organising events on Portland. Should this Council truly wish to involve local musicians/dancers etc, Weymouth AND PORTLAND indeed have a wealth of very talented people, I wonder what consultation process had taken place and what advertising was undertaken inviting interested parties to make their interest known etc? Who made the decision if there was/was not to be such a 'committee', and if there is no such 'committee' why do this group of individuals refer to themselvers as a 'committee'?

Can I ask that this 'committee' examine the views above, of Peter Chegwyn, councillor and organiser of the Gosport and Fareham Easter festival, and discuss these with the Chief Executive before any more pleas for outside participation and attendence are made?

A folk festival organised by and for all the people for Weymouth AND PORTLAND has my full support. This current set-up, under this council's current policy towards folk activities, is not this and should not be presented as if it were.