That's a sensible suggestion Steve. It's what Michael Eavis and Melvin Benn have done at Glastonbury and what Fairport have done at Cropredy for many years. Put something back into the local community, either by contributing to local venues or community groups, staging other events for the local community, sponsoring the local scouts and guides or whatever.

Perhaps many people in Sidmouth oppose the festival because they don't see any way in which it benefits them.

All it does is create a lot of hassle for a prime week of mid-summer.

Personally I fear it's too late to save the Sidmouth festival as we have known it but I hope that those who are still intent on keeping something in situ will think about how they can start to win more local support from residents, hoteliers, shopkeepers and councillors.

I wish them well though I fear they have a hard job ahead.