Here's a link to the Facebook page of Whitby Folk Week where Graham posted the following message:

As many of you will be aware Sally Atkinson is putting together a book about the last 50 years of the festival. I have been gathering some photos on her behalf. However, I will not be doing this anymore so can you please send photos and reminiscences directly to her.
The board have decided that they do not wish me to work with the Folk Week any more. After 49 years of being part of the festival, including running it with Trevor Stone, after Grahame Binless, and before handing over to Malcolm Storey and then pulling together the people to run it after Malcolm decided to let go of the reins. I will still be there for the 50th and will probably get to see some events in 2015. Looking forward to seeing old and new friends there.

One comment says:

Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't understand this. To many of us, Graham Pirt is the face of Whitby Festival; it won't be the same in the future. Maybe I should do the same as most of my local friends and go to Fylde instead - it is closer.

It's hard to imagine Whitby Folk Week without Graham Pirt.
-Joe in Sacramento-