Green light for festival (From Witney Gazette)

Green light for festival

9:00am Wednesday 12th July 2006 in Witney By Samantha Simpson

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help at the first charity Ascott Music Festival after organisers were given the green light to go ahead with the event.

It was thought the plug may have to be pulled on the festival after objections were raised by some villagers on grounds of noise and safety.

West Oxfordshire District Council's licensing panel was due to discuss the licensing application, but the hearing was cancelled after objections were withdrawn.

It means the festival will go ahead as planned on Friday, July 21, and Saturday, July 22, at Crown Farm, Ascott-under-Wychwood, with a line-up of performances from live bands and activities.

It is the first time the festival is being held, and organisers, who are raising money for mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind, said they urgently need volunteers to help out. A spokesman for the charity said: "We have identified many areas which will need volunteers and team leaders. For example, parking attendants, selling raffle tickets, merchandise and programmes, litter control, and a campsite warden."

Some villagers had feared that the 3,000 visitors and 1,500 cars expected to attend the festival would cause traffic problems.

But organisers assured them that a strict traffic management plan would be in place, and said the festival was aimed at being a family-friendly event.

As reported by the Witney Gazette, the festival is being organised by Martin Smith, of Aston, who chose to support Oxfordshire Mind after suffering a serious nervous breakdown about ten years ago.

He promised it would be a 'fantastic event', with a range of different bands and music, from rock to folk and jazz.

Rhythm guitarist Mr Smith will be performing with his band Pseudo7, along with other acts. including Richard Thompson, The Blues Band, Nine Below Zero, Rachael Warwick, Reservoir Cats, Jumping The Gun, and Coral Spin.

Anyone interested in volunteering should call Oxfordshire Mind volunteer co-ordinator Suzy Phillips, on 07956 138591.