Music fans donate £10,000 to save festival

Inglefest's line up is always made up of local artists, including Bristol's Da Fuchaman in 2023

A music festival that faced closing down for good says it has been "saved" by an online funding campaign.

Inglefest, which is held in Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, had been struggling with rising costs and cancelled this year's event.

But donations from the public mean it has now hit a £10,000 funding target.

"You have ALL collectively saved Inglefest," said co-organiser Dom Mosley.

Posting on Facebook, he thanked fundraisers for their help.

"You have achieved something genuinely incredible, and it’s an amazing story amongst the backdrop of other festivals falling to the current climate.

"The community spirit shown for Inglefest and grassroots music is extremely valuable, and we are beyond ecstatic that you’ve helped save us," he added.

Organisers have confirmed the event will now return in 2025.

At least 36 UK festivals announced a postponement, cancellation or complete closure in 2024.

Inglefest oo-organiser Dom Mosley thanked people for contributing to the fundraiser

Inglefest, which has been running since 2013, said it suffered its biggest-ever financial losses in 2023.

After cancelling its 2024 event, organisers turned to crowd funding via Kickstarter.

"By covering [cost] increases, we'll now be able to meticulously plan Inglefest 2025 and any future events with much more awareness of the financial climate independent festivals find themselves in, and plan and react effectively to any shifting of the tides," a spokesperson said.

'Government support needed'

"We'll also be spending 2024 applying for various council or organisation-led funding streams alongside this project, and looking into other fundraising avenues to help support 2025 and onward events."

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has called for more government help to help grassroots festivals.

A spokesperson for HM Treasury said the events were "a vital part of British culture" and added that the government had recently extended its Supporting Grassroots Music Fund by £5m "to cover festivals and provide additional support".

But the AIF said the situation is the worst it has ever been and is calling for a VAT reduction on ticket sales.

Besides Inglefest, other cancellations and postponements in 2024 so far include NASS in Somerset, Nibley Festival and Barn on the Farm in Gloucestershire.

A spokesperson for HM Treasury said there were no plans to reduce VAT on ticket sales but explained there were grants available.

"We continue to work closely with the sector to understand the issues facing festivals," they added.