THE cost of living seems to be taking the fun out of everything at the moment, with another festival falling by the weigh side because of spiralling prices.
For the first time in 11 years Cadstock, the free Music Festival at Victoria Park in Barry, has been cancelled.
In a heartbreaking message, organisers said because of a “raft of expensive stuff” needed to run the event there was no sign of a “fairy godmother” swooping in with the £15,000 needed to get things off the ground.
The KeepCadstockAlive Committee were even looking at charging people to come to the music festival, but said that raised its own problems, and it wasn’t in keeping with the Cadstock vibe of “free and open to all”.
Cadstock free music festival brings a lot of fun to Barry, but not this year
'Sad fact that everyone's belts are tightened'
Organisers Jon, Martin, Sue, Karl and Andy wrote on Facebook: “We're really feeling the love here from you and the whole town this week after the announcement of cancelling Cadstock 2023.
“We have discussed charging entry many times too - but that brings its own extra costs and problems, plus it will exclude some people and families especially, and it's just not the Cadstock vibe that we always wanted it to be - Free and Open to all.
“Unfortunately it's not just a case of getting a PA and some bands to play for free (we wish it was, and in the very early few years it was a bit like that!). But, now there is a raft of expensive stuff we have to have in place in order to run.”
The team said they’d tried their very best to ensure the show goes on after 11 years of success.
“Please don't think that after 11 years of pulling this event off we haven't tried to find support from (a lot) of different sources, and thought of other ways of making it pay its way. We have.
“It's just a sad fact that everyone's belts are tightened at the moment, and at the same time costs are increasing.”
Not Vale of Glamorgan Council's fault
The committee were keen to avoid blaming the Vale Council, saying the council had supported the event fully.
“We know there's a lot of disappointment, and fingers being pointed at the Vale Council, but we've got to say without the support of the Vale Parks Department, and in later years the Vale Neighbourhood Services Department we would never have been able to even do one year!”
The team offered to breakdown of costs to anyone willing to come in and save the event, and finished by ensuring they would strive to make sure the show does goes on.
“We'd be happy to discuss the exact breakdown of costs with any serious potential funders and/or local councillors who think they might be able to help us pull it out of the bag - but it’s getting really late for this year, and signs of a fairy godmother/godfather who's willing to shake a magic wand and drop around £15-20K within the next two weeks looks pretty far-fetched we're afraid.
“We're deffo not done yet though, and if not this year then we really do need you on board for 2024.”
Any potential funders are asked to get in touch via Jon at jgreatrex@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
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