STEEPLE: Charities to miss out on big windfall
MYSTERY surrounds the cancellation of a music festival at Steeple Bay holiday park.
17,000 tickets have been sold for the Family Festival, but owners of the venue claim they have no knowledge of the event.
Organiser Chris Sussex says the festival, which was due to take place this bank holiday weekend, will not go ahead due to the holiday park having the wrong licence.
But according to Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish, the event was arranged without its knowledge and it is now enlisting special security at the entrance to turn away any festival-goers.
A website set up to promote the event suggests more than 70 bands were due to perform to a crowd of 16,900 music lovers.
Across the four-day event, tickets started at £25 per day with sales expected to generate in the region of £422,500.
Mr Clish said: "Steeple Bay is a family-friendly park which offers traditional holiday attractions, and that's exactly how it will remain this weekend.
"This type of event would be completely inconsistent with our family-focused policies.
"A festival on this scale would be contrary to the terms of the licence under which the park operates, and the police have expressed their concern.
"Had the organisers approached us at an early stage, we may well have been able to come to some agreement for a more modestly sized festival.
"After all we are very supportive of the live music scene.
"It's unfortunate if anyone has bought tickets for this event, but they were not being sold by us and anybody who does turn up on spec will have had a completely wasted journey."
But defending his decision to call off the event Mr Sussex said: "I am devastated by this news and will be seeking appropriate legal representation. What's especially upsetting is that all the charities which were to benefit from the festival may now lose out."
Funds raised from the event were earmarked to help eight-year-old Amy Jarrett, who was born with a rare brain disorder which affects her sight.
Her parents, who live in Southend, have found a hospital in China that offers umbilical stem cell treatment that could give her sight and need to raise £35,000 for the trip.
Amy's mum Michelle said: "Obviously we are disappointed that the event has been cancelled, and we are still raising funds.
"The organisers have apologised and it is just a shame it couldn't be resolved."
Organisers maintain those who have bought tickets via the website www.essexfamilyfestival.co.uk will receive a full refund within 21 days.
Have you been affected by the event being cancelled? Contact newsdesk@esssexchronicle.co.uk
5 Comments
by Ryan, Mayland
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 5:59AM
“Complete rubbish, everyone was fully aware of the festival both on Steeple bay and outside of the park, you could hardly miss the posters and advertisements which were put up everywhere for it, I have a few friends on the park its self as I lived there for a few years and they all knew of it!! Something tells me that once again Steeple Bay has lived up to its usual expectations of disapointment and sorrow.”
by Joe, Mayland
Saturday, August 29 2009, 9:59AM
“This event was advertised in local shops in Mayland. Very professional posters were on display in the local Chip shop. Steeple bay Staff use the shops in Mayland, Caravan owners use the shops in Mayland. Park Holidays are giving the impression that no one was aware of the arrangement being made - perhaps no one talks to each other on the camp site - I can think of no other credible explanation”
by stan, essex
Friday, August 28 2009, 12:39AM
“17,000 tickets sold ?
an event like that would need some real planning and arranging someones not telling the whole truth i suspect”
by Simon, Chelmsford
Thursday, August 27 2009, 5:22PM
“Does seem a bit strange that a 4 day event with 70 bands and up to 17,000 people was not known about by Park Holidays ?
This isn't a book the hall type miss-understanding for a private function, this is a fairly major event which must have had lots of planning along with various organisations involved to ensure the venue was legal and safe, just for starters. What about the stage(s), lighting, sound, seating, food, toilets etc etc etc ?
You wouldn't just turn up at the venue on the day and ask can we come in we want to put on a mini Glasto !”
by Timelord, Romford
Thursday, August 27 2009, 12:12PM
“The stories of Mr. Clish and Mr. Sussex do not match in several respects. Someone is, at the very least, confused and at the worst telling fibs.
Best wishes to Amy Jarrett and her family.”