Introduction to the Lindis Farne Festival
The Lindis Farne Festival, a popular coastal music event in Northumberland, will continue as scheduled despite uncertainties surrounding its organizers. The festival’s investors have appointed Conleth Maenpaa, the festival’s founder, to ensure its continuation on the last weekend of August.
Background on the Festival’s Organizers
The original organizer, Wannasee, which was behind numerous festivals in the region, had announced that it was in conversation with liquidators and would be canceling other events. This news was met with relief from ticket holders and companies, including headliners Armand van Helden, Tauben, and The Waterboys, who are set to perform at the Beal Farm event.
The Founder’s Perspective
Mr. Maenpaa expressed his disappointment when he heard that the 10th anniversary of the event might not take place due to issues with other events. He stated, "Not only for the punters who loved it, but also for the hard-working staff and for the volunteers and all the traders and contractors who rely on it." The investors of the festival, who also back the Hardwick Festival in Sedgefield, County Durham, approached Maenpaa to take over the festival from Wannasee, which had run Lindis Farne last year and had begun to experience problems.
Impact on Local Businesses
The cancellation of the festival would have had a significant impact on local businesses, including Bernard Rostron’s Priya stall, which has sold ethically sourced goods at the festival since its first year. Rostron noted that the cancellation would affect not only his business but also the people who work with him, as they would lose income. Furthermore, there would be an impact on suppliers, as Rostron’s store room near Penrith in Cumbria is filled with handmade clothing and bags from suppliers in places like Kathmandu and Rajasthan, who rely on his orders.
The Future of the Festival
Maenpaa assured that people could trust in Lindis Farne, saying, "We have a backer who can take care of everything. We have set up everything – there may be a few changes that we do not know because we will step in at the last minute, but we will put on everything and we will have most of the old team back so that everything will be absolutely brilliant and we make it the best festival that we can." The news of the festival’s continuation has been welcomed by enthusiastic festival visitors like Kevin Cooper, who would have been sorry to miss out on Lindis Farne.
Conclusion
The Lindis Farne Festival’s continuation is a positive development for the local community, businesses, and music fans alike. With Maenpaa’s experience and the investors’ support, the festival is expected to be a success, providing a great experience for all attendees. As the music industry continues to evolve, the importance of festivals like Lindis Farne cannot be overstated, and its continuation is a testament to the power of music to bring people together.
