Stone music and arts festival to return next year

The plug had to be pulled on the Stone Music and Arts Festival due to a lack of funding.

But festival chairman Steve Brookes has said plans are in place to get the money needed to host the event in 2015.

He said: "We've already started planning for next year.

"We will be looking at different funding schemes we can apply to in the coming weeks.

"We are getting positive vibes from people that they want the festival to be on next year.

"They were hugely disappointed the event had to be cancelled this year."

He said the festival committee would be meeting soon to discuss a way forward and said the community would be asked what they wanted to see at the event.

It costs about £20,000 to host the festival, which has been running in Stone for the past six years.

It was cancelled by organisers last month after Wedgwood, the main sponsor of the popular annual event withdrew its support.

Dr Brookes is encouraging people to put forward fundraising ideas to help raise cash for next year's festival.

He added: "We would like to encourage more local residents and businesses to join us, particularly in relation to activities and ideas in relation to fundraising."

Bands that were due to appear at the festival in July were The Christians, Honey Ryder, Soul Survivors, The Vanz and Murphy's Marbles featuring the Dubliners' Sean Cannon.

There was also due to be a busking competition and art exhibitions in various locations across the town, as well as dance performances.

Performers at last year's festival included Dark Horses, The Andy Williams Band, Karl's Bavarian Umpah Band and tribute band The Formula.

Elsewhere in the town families will be enjoying the festivities at the Carnival Day at Westbridge Park on June 14.

There is a cake competition taking place and a parade setting off from Oulton Road at 1.30pm.

Anyone interested in helping organise next year's music and arts festival should visit www.stonemusicandartsfestival.org or call 07890 267162.