GuilFest 2014 decision delayed

GuilFest 2014

Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July 2014
Stoke Park, Guildford, Surrey, England MAP
£120 weekend with camping, child 12-17 £85, u12s free

Daily capacity: 25,000

Last updated: Fri 6th Jun 2014

Festival organiser Tony Scott who earlier this year made an application to bring GuilFest back to Guildford, Surrey in 2014 has told local station Eagle Radio, (here), that the date for when the decision on which event will get the go-ahead has been moved back.

The GuilFest team were originally led to believe that they were the only organisers to make an application to hold an event in the town's Stoke Park. Following a public Council meeting in October it was also thought their application would get the final decision this month.

There is now a delay in that decision because a new undisclosed organiser has also submitted a written application to host an event at Stoke Park in 2014. Yesterday the Council confirmed this with the following statement: "We can confirm that this week we received a second application to operate a music event for 2014. We will support both bids equally to get them to a stage where a Selection Panel of Councillors will review both bids in early January."

Promoters Live Nation hosted a new music festival Magic Summer Live this year over GuilFest's traditional dates at the same site, headlined by Bryan Adams and Jamiroquai although it is not known if they are the new applicants.

Scott told Eagle Radio that, "They (the Borough Council) want to have a meeting in early January to discuss whether they are going to go with us, or whoever has made this new application."

Scott has already made it clear in the local press that a delay reduces the chances of GuilFest returning as his team are unable to organise the event until they get the green light. Scott added, "It's more iffy than it was two days ago. We're having internal conversations about whether or not we can go ahead next summer. We're looking at the ground forward and just finding out certain things now like who is available and what can be done. Is it going to compromise our situation by going on and waiting until the new year."

One of the older events, Guildford Live was re-named GuilFest in 2002 and each year offered a multitude of different musical styles with classic and modern acts, plus entertainment, children's area, art and crafts, and a truly festive atmosphere. It had been one of eFestivals favourite festivals, and one that we had sponsored since 2002.

Last year, after some of the worst weather experienced in its history and low attendance levels, the company behind GuilFest went into liquidation, however organiser Scott had so many offers of support in helping to reinstate the festival, including an online petition he decided to launch a bid to get the festival up and running in 2014.

While they wait the GuilFest team have The Crimbleberry Ball to organise which takes place on Saturday 21st December at the Rubix, University of Surrey headlined by Dodgy with support from The Selecter, Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer, Blobbie Williams (Take Fat), and Maybe Gaga.

In the Kane FM Christmas Grotto will be a DJ line-up headlined by Bare Noize with support from Split Prophets, Hyroglifics, Cause 4 Concern, + GuilFest residents DJ Ade, Johnny Luv, Groove Motion (DJ Mystery and Wayne Altham).

In Santa’s Merry Work Shop will be comedians Jonny Awsum, Danny Ward and Alfie Brown along with musical support from some of the best bands in the local area.

Plus The Crimbleberry Ball Festive Bazaar - the ideal place to pick up plenty of festive goodies to stuff down that Christmas stocking, and sample tasty winter warming foods from around the world. To wash these delicacies down, bars will be serving a wide selection of drinks including seasonal mulled wine, champagne and wide range of beers, ciders and soft drinks

buy tickets now >

Tickets are now available, priced at £19.50 (+bf) in advance. The event capacity is strictly limited, so don’t delay! Tickets are selling fast!

discuss this news on the Festival Forums