Barb'ry, thanks for posting the above - I'm a member here but have logged out for this - I know as much as there is to be known, shall we say. I don't know what was said on the radio, but there seems to be a bit of confusion - The 2005 Maritime Festival is MOST DEFINITELY going to take place. The dates are 25th to 28th March 2005 (as always, Good Friday to Easter Monday). It is true that it was under question but because so much planning had already been done, it was decided to continue it.

What has been decided though is that the 2006 Festival programme will not include the Maritime Festival. Several other events have also been axed, all part of a budget -saving exercise, to keep the council tax at no more than a 5% increase. In 2006 the planned series of events will be: Morecambe Punk Festival, Morecambe Heritage Gala, Lancaster Jazz Festival and Lancaster Fireworks Spectacular. The organisers only heard themselves on Tuesday - and that was because of a friendly word from one elected member who'd done his/her best.

I understand that the decision has been 'called in' i.e. challenged, by some other councillors, and I know of one pub landlord who is not very happy and is making strong representations.

Who knows what will happen. Those of you who have attended the Festival know that it has been on shaky ground previously and continued. Whether good sense will prevail again this time, who knows. I can say that the organisers are presently working extremely hard to ensure that the 2005 event is a corker! (Despite being a bit shell-shocked) They realise that many people will want to contact them to offer support, but are a bit pressed at the moment, trying to secure the private sponsorship for 2005, which bolsters the core budget from the council (and which could be threatened by this info). Jan & Ken at The Chantey Cabin have agreed to act as a sort of clearing point for the time being and will pass on info in both directions (if you see what I mean)

I suppose that, at the moment, if you want to be sure of getting to the best Maritime Festival ever - get to Lancaster in 2005!

Cheers me dears! (sorry can't post under my real or Mudcat name but walls have ears y'know!)