Ian,

Thank you. You have grasped the point I was trying to make. The 'new' festival can best be described as a community festival and I was wondering if there is a model anywhere for such a festival being run as a 'successor' to an established and, in its day, well-regarded regional festival in this way.
With all due respect to the organisers, folk lovers who work their way around the summer festival circuit won't be attracted by dog shows and Rose Fetes. This is why, when MFAB was in its heyday, we fought tooth and nail to maintain the integrity of the 'main festival' and keep such events 'on the fringe'.

If MFAB had ever tried to depend on the support of local people only, it would never even have happened in the first place.

'Middlewich Community Festival' would be a good name, as it describes what the new festival is all about.

And I'm sorry 'Micawber', but I don't feel inclined to let you off so easily. Your posting of 26th February clearly states that

'The festival is for the benefit of the area and not for any individual personal gain.'

To me, that indicates that you consider that someone was making, or trying to make, money from the festival.

Now who would that person be?

Simple question.