Festival back after cash boost (From Stourbridge News)

Festival back after cash boost

11:28am Monday 25th June 2007 in Local By Martyn Smith

WORDSLEY Festival is set to make a dramatic return after organisers scooped £8,050 in lottery cash.

The popular event was cancelled this year after a disappointing response to appeals for help left coffers empty.

The group behind the event, lead by chairman Nigel Morley, vowed to continue fighting and devoted hundreds of hours to a bid for support from Awards For All, who provide grants for community projects.

Earlier this month the group received news their 42-page application had been accepted, allowing organisers to begin planning an event for 2008, which they say can definitely go ahead.

Nigel said: "I am over the moon, we put a massive effort into the application and getting the grant is a ringing endorsement of the management committee.

"Now we can make it happen and make it a day for the whole community with activities and attractions for all ages."

The festival has faced a turbulent couple of years, the resignation of the previous committee in 2006 after a lack of new volunteers appeared to be a killer blow.

Wordsley resident Nigel decided not to let the event die, he began looking for backers and making preparations for a 2007 festival.

The show, set for Saturday June 16, was cancelled after he found financial support from business bosses or Dudley council hard to come by.

Nigel said: "To say we were disappointed would be an enormous understatement, we were fully prepared to put on this event, we unfortunately did not have sufficient funds to do so."

Despite the lottery cash boost Nigel says it is still vital sponsors to come forward and support the big day out.

Nigel said: "We want to see massive numbers of people turn up, we need the community and business to get involved."