Festival criticism boosts offers of help (From Ilkley Gazette)

Festival criticism boosts offers of help

2:36pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News

One of the organisers of a popular summer festival says changes are being made after stinging criti-cism by a councillor.

But Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, a director of the company behind the Ilkley Summer Festival, says she has been “disuaded” from giving up on the event after ten years by the support of people in the town.

Organisers of the month-long festival ran into criticism from an Ilkley parish councillor in July about administration and management, which led to a public spat, although the council did back a request for £7,000 for this year’s event.

However, Coun Hawkes-worth says she is close to confirming a change of registered address for the company that runs the event, from Ilkley Town Hall to a legal firm in the town.

“We’d like to make it clear, there was nothing untoward about the fact this building [Ilkley Town Hall] was a registered address – in fact, it was backed by Bradford Council chief executive at the time,” she told Ilkley Parish Council at Monday night’s meeting.

“The festival is not a private company and does not make a profit.

“One of the good things to come out of all the publicity is people have come forward to help.

“One of the groups that has come forward is a legal firm, based in Ilkley for a long time, and they expres-sed an interest to be our registered office.”

Coun Hawkesworth said all the details have yet to be finalised on the deal.

Council chairman, Coun-cillor Heathcliffe Bowen, who attend the festival’s Yorkshire Day event on August 1, praised Coun Hawkesworth for the events.

“Thanks to Anne Hawkesworth and her team for pulling that, and the rest of the festival, together,” he said.

Contact Anne.hawkes-worth@googlemail.com to help with future festivals.