Many Festivals are sadly suffering from the same problems -

* reduced funding from local authorities / local businesses / the Arts Council / other funding bodies

* increased demands and costs relating to health & safety / insurance / SIA-badged security / licensing regulations

The same is true of Steam Rallies and many other events.

Most of these Festivals and events are organised by people who do it for love not money. We don't expect to make huge profits but we cannot afford to make huge losses either.

While many Folk Festivals enjoyed a bumper summer in 2004, the Sidmouth experience proves that even a sell-out success one year doesn't guarantee the event being repeated a year later.

It's not all doom-and-gloom, Festivals such as Trowbridge and Bridgnorth are going from strength-to-strength, but others are struggling and need all the support they can get.