If it were not for the fact that the Festival is one of the most important events in the Town s calendar and dependant on Grant and public support these statements would be unworthy of response. May I remind these civic minded councillors that the Festival is a non-profit making organisation reliant solely on voluntary effort and support from local authorities, business and the general public.
All events are entirely free.
The Council have taken their decision without any reference to the Festival Committee and the first we knew of it was when we read your report. I believe it is important to draw to the attention of the people of Monmouth what has occurred over the past few years. In June 1999 the Festival was to all intents bankrupt and a plea was made in the Monmouth Beacon for help to save the Festival. A new Committee was formed and despite the time restraints were able to run a nine day Festival at the end of July. Performers and the public were generous, the weather was kind,and we ended the year with our finances in the black.