I had decided to ignore this thread but as people who do not know me continue to attack me personally (GUEST 5.56AM) I feel the need to reply.

I have never attacked the management of the Events Office personally or their ability to organise a Folk Festival - only their decision regarding the date but as they were filling the only available date in their calendar if/when it happens in the future it is likely to continue to clash with Saltburn.

As for the cancellation - we are told that this event had been on the cards for 9 months yet the publicity only appeared a few weeks before it actually happened rather late to attract the thousands expected. Most folkies I know have their festival calendar organised by early Spring.

The ground itself had been flooded the previous weekend - the steam rally (organised by The Events Office?) but pumps had been used to make the event viable - was this not also possible on the Festival weekend or were there financial considerations at work.

And if such an problem raised so many Health and Safety issueds that cancellation was neccessary then perhaps (given the English Summer) this was not the best venue for the folk festival.

When you organise an event you can expect to be criticised if things don't happen - particularly when you are (as you maintain) an experienced management organisation.

I have attended Folk Festivals for over 30 years and have camped on green field sites but have never known a festival be cancelled because of rain.