Hugely disappointing for Mark, and a big blow for everyone who is trying to attract people to the area.

I think CDC has made the right decision. A music festival is wholly out of keeping with the rural location, the site totally inappropriate and I have no confidence in the management capabilities of the Settle Festival co. I do not appreciate Mr Dale's attitude to calling any objector a "NIMBY" - I am a working mum with a young child and genuine concerns about the noise, traffic and safety of such a large scale event.

Ver dissapointing to the vast majority who were hoping this event could bring great value to the area. Let's hope the concerns of CDC can be addressed in time for an event next year.

I hope these once a week "Christians" are happy now! I'd love to know the collective number of years these objectors have lived in the area. This was the big chance for Settle to put itself back on the map and become the vibrant commumity it once was, instead of a retirement home! Well now that's out of the way these objectors can carry on moaning about quarry traffic,tractors, cockerels and church bells.I'm Giggleswick born and bred, now residing in Ingleton where there is still a community spirit thank God.

I applaud the CDC Committee for making what for many will be an umpopular but nonetheless the right decision. Any event such as the one proposed has to be professionaly planned and organised.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Settle/Giggleswick is determined to stay in the dark ages. I look forward to visiting again in 30 years or so time...the average age will undoubtedly be at least 70 without a young person in sight. It wouldn't surprise me if they were using abacus's rather than calculators. Why is the area so scared of change and forward thinking? Upon graduation Settle/Giggleswick will most definitely be top of my list of places where I do NOT want to live and settle down. It is no surprise that the young and intelligent move out at the first opportunity. I certainly won't be hurrying back.

Well done NIMBYs. What's the next thing you want to complain about? Church bells (that's already been done in Giggleswick), excessive animal noise? No wonder young people can't wait to leave the area with this reluctance to try anything new. Craven Council - the sooner this feeble local authority is done away with the better.

so very disappointed with the decision, so sad for mark dale and the local people who wanted to drag this obviously backward community into the 21st century.

Only one word to say "GUTTED"

Very sad news, was looking forward to the event, even booked the weekend off work.
People are always resistant to anything new and although there are risks to holding such an event we won't know until we try. Who knows it might go really well and lots of people could have a good time.
Let yer hair down just for 3 days a year!

I'm very disappointed that the Festival will not go ahead. Certainly there were some justified concerns, but it is a shame that the Council did not place trust in the Festival Committee to work with experienced services to overcome problems, as they said they would. Just because its a 'rural' area doesn't mean we have to be so insular. Like many comments so far, I think the festival concept is a wonderful idea - vibrant, celebratory, modern - but this is unfortunately threatening to this self-preserving 'not in my backyard' attitude. As normal, a few people's fear of the new has overcome something that gave this community, especially the local youth, INSPIRATION. Thank you to Mark and the team for all their efforts.

NIMBY's rule OK!

Silsden has plenty of fields! :-)

Very disappointed to see this festival turned down again. Another myopic decision from a tin pot rural council, seems to be the norm thesedays. People move into rural areas and want to turn them into retirement homes, very sad.

Utterly dissapointed in this ludicrous decision. Mark and his team put alot of hard work into this application and it seems the local objectors should stick to playing bingo and drinking horlics..

Very VERY disappointed.I hope the NIMBYs can go and eat a scone or two and have a small laugh for half a day about keeping Rathmel quiet.

Settle was killed by Foot & Mouth and never recovered. The festival would have been the shot in the arm that it needs.

SETTLE FESTIVAL 09!!!

Disappointing that a licence has again been turned down. Why can't the council & N.Yorks Police work together with Mr dale in order to address these issues of concern? This festival would bring a vast amount of exposure, revenue and interest not only to Settle, but the surrounding area too. Secondly, although I don't know the figures for The Craven Herald's website or how many people cast their vote on this issue but 64.7% were in favour of the festival, evidently public opinion on these subjects is conveniently swept under the carpet! Lastly, Michelle Vincent comments that the festival is quote "wholly out of keeping with the rural location", one word Michelle, GLASTONBURY!!!

A very dissapointing descion.

Poor Mark Dale – all together now – aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!
All that hard work and selfless community spirit devoted to dragging Settle and surrounding area out of the Dark Ages and save its fun-starved young folk from death by boredom at the hands of the mind-munching Zimmer Zombies.
Instead, the Salvation of Settle lay in resurrecting such over-the-hill acts as Madness, Status Quo and The Stranglers. Forget the crap about a "Family Event" – of the expected 20,000 visitors daily how many would come to hear a poetry-reading or watch a play by a group of frustrated local thespians? Or to spend their moolah in Settle's shops and pubs? **** few, believe it.
The aim of Mark and his low-profile businessmen supporters was to keep as many people as possible onsite in order to milk their booze and catering monopoly.
But while yammering long and loud about "regenerating" the Settle area Mark and his commercial partners have kept mysteriously quiet about the fact that their overriding aim was to enrich themselves to the tune of (potentially) several hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Credit where it's due, though. Mark has done a darn fine job of whipping up public support via MySpace, Bebo, eFestivals and other sites – most of whose visitors couldn't even find Settle on a map.
I'll grant you Mark, you put a helluva lot of time and effort into this. But its wasn't for the benefit of Settle and its young people.
Wrong site, wrong acts, wrong business plan (if there was one?), wrong partners and wrong motives. Back to the drawing board!

In rply to Niall Dekkay's Libellous remarks - Settle people obviously don't realise what a superstar they have in their midst. Perhaps Rathmell would be a more appropriate place for your "wisdom". Your list of wrongs was lacking one - Wrong Town!

Niall Dekkay's comments about the bands that were booked, in saying they were the "wrong bands", Glastonbury didn't start out by attracting all the big name bands at least Mark is being realistic about who he can get to play at such an event. Additionally, it was (as I am led to believe) a platform to showcase local bands too. Your sarcastic, cynical comments Mr Dekkay make you no better than the NIMBY's opposed to the event.

I am deeply saddened by this news. After so much hard work and perseverance on the part of Mark and his team over the course of two years to be finally rejected at the last minute. If this was being run in any other country in the world it would have been approved and been a fantastic success but this highlights the very real problem of unimaginitive and unsupportive local councils and bitter locals who cannot understand the wish to have fun and promote local tourism. If this was the 1960's this would have been approved but then again people were a lot more relaxed in those days. Keep your chin up Mark and keep plugging, you have lot of support out there and when you finally get it going we'll show those stiffs how to have fun!!!

I've never seen any concerns like this at a folk festival? Usually people work with their town to create it. Seems very odd.
This would have been an ideal setting for the festival. Are these people just looking to cause a nuisance?

So sorry to hear that your application was unsuccessful. Although we come out to Settle for the peace and quiet, we could see that 3 days of great music would be a great asset to the area! Don't give up fighting, you've worked too hard to let them win. We will support you all the way.

When I visit Cambridge festival and glastonbury we always visit the local businesses as do alot of others. They realy rake in alot TBH. Also at Cambridge Folk Festival i've seen a few acts from the festival busking in the town and gathering groups of kids to do free workshops with them. Nizlopi was one such band, they used thier 15 mins of fame to introduce folk music to kids on the street. I was speaking to one 13 year old kid ,who can only be described as a chav, and he told me of how he wasn't bothered about drinking on a night with his mates anymore and had taken up the Bodhran and bongos. Him and his mate played the most amazing little set at a music stall.

Pitty this kind of spirit won't be happening in Settle any time soon.

Sorry Mark I feel gutted for all the work you've put into this.

Niall Dekkay? This is the perfect oppertunity to be working with Mark & use this oppertunity to promote poetry readings, etc. and the small businesses in the area. Why are you sounding so angry? You obviously have other motives or are you just jumping on a band waggon?

What's with the old V's Young? with some of the bands mentioned I can't see the audience being much below 30, but I can see them appealing to alot of over 50's. The audience for Maddy Prior wouldn't exactly be a crowd surfing group of yobbo's.

HA HA HA, We said we'd stop your stupid festival. Take all your idiotic drug sniffing "music fans" to see some real music and clear off.

C. Niall Dekkay

=

Senile Decay !!

that explains his comments !!

GO TO APPEAL MARK & CO, SETTLE NEEDS THIS!

Why the surprise at the outcome?
There was little support at the hearing for the festival - everyone had a chance to speak both for and against

Well done Niell Dekkay for having the guts to point out the real incentives for this failed attempt to inflict the good people of Settle and surrounding area with 3 days of outdated ‘has been’ festival nonsense. Unfortunately Settle, like hundreds of other small towns up and down the land has suffered from a change in the economic makeup of the country. It is the lack of permanent employment and affordable housing in rural areas that forces the younger generation to move elsewhere. How the staging of this event goes to addressing those fundamental truths is beyond me.
Admittedly, the long term vibrancy of the area does require new ideas and initiatives where schemes such as the festival require careful consideration. ItÂ’s a shame that the organisersÂ’ efforts have not been channelled into long term strategic thinking on a plan that would improve the lives of everyone living in the area and not just to feed some personal egos.
On another note, the last thing the A65 needs is hundreds of dilapidated camper vans blocking and polluting an already notoriously dangerous road.

Paul Taylor wrote:
I applaud the CDC Committee for making what for many will be an umpopular but nonetheless the right decision. Any event such as the one proposed has to be professionaly planned and organised.

Erm, what do you think people have been doing??? We're well aware that festivals need to be planned and organised! The problem with craven council is the majority of it's members have absoloubtly no concept of reality. They've all been in their positions far too long and need replacing with younger, brighter members (and no, i'm suggesting put a load of so called yobs on the council). Please go to appeal Mark, put some life back into this area!!!

If "Niall Dekkay" has got guts, why doesn,t he use his real name? Do all you Objectors/Gloaters enjoy patting each other on the back anonomously? Nambys and Itys (work that one out!) coming out of the woodwork with nothing constructive to say. Get a life!

A lot of talk has been about how the festival could potentially revitalise the Settle area? I don't see anyone else apart from Mark and his team taking the time to think and do something to tackle this.
"ItÂ’s a shame that the organisersÂ’ efforts have not been channelled into long term strategic thinking on a plan that would improve the lives of everyone living in the area." - Isn't this is councils job?!!

What a shame! Never mind...I see the 2 day 'beer festival'is going ahead in Skipton. There wil be no live music, no poetry, no family entertainment, no culture...just "60 cask ales from across the country to try.There will also be ciders, perries and wines and some European bottled beers," i.e.an excuse for attendees to get pxssed out of their heads for 2 days in the town centre.
So, that's alright then (!)

Jack wrote:

Paul Taylor wrote: I applaud the CDC Committee for making what for many will be an umpopular but nonetheless the right decision. Any event such as the one proposed has to be professionaly planned and organised.

Erm, what do you think people have been doing??? We\\\\\\\'re well aware that festivals need to be planned and organised! The problem with craven council is the majority of it\\\\\\\'s members have absoloubtly no concept of reality. They\\\\\\\'ve all been in their positions far too long and need replacing with younger, brighter members (and no, i\\\\\\\'m suggesting put a load of so called yobs on the council). Please go to appeal Mark, put some life back into this area!!!

Over 2 years at it and the plan was totally flawed, lacking in substance and potemtially dangerous. Its no good blaming the council for someone elses shortfalls

Its a shame about the decision. I hope that they appeal

Clearly the right palms had not been greased.

Take it to appeal, Mark.

crap decision

As an observer from a market research background, I thought it might be interesting to analyse the postings on this site to get a TRUE indicator of local sentiment about the Settle Festival. I took as a sample the first 35 postings – ending at 4.10pm Saturday 23 February with a posting by Paul.
Of those 35 postings four were duplicates, all expressing the same view – in support of the event. After eliminating these duplicates, 80.6% of postings supported the festival; 19.4% were against.
In terms of where supporters lived, 32.2% came from Settle and 16.1% from elsewhere in Craven. But the majority of supporters (51.6.%) came from outside the Settle/Craven area – from areas as distant as
These are the raw numbers. You can check them for yourselves – it's how you interpret them that matters.
So they must be considered in the light of the following factors:
1. Given that the license application was refused, protestors are far more likely to register their views than those who support the verdict.
2. While there is genuine disappointment in Settle and Craven, a majority of protest emanates from as far afield as Glasgow and London (even Chicago, according to one later posting). It would seem that that the majority of supporters prefer to **** outside their own tents.
3. The fact that a majority of protestors come from outside the area, suggests that the Settle Festival promoters are less interested in providing entertainment for locals than for the rest of the UK. These outsiders, Settle, Giggleswick and Rathmell residents might think, don't have to live with the criminal and social aftermath of such a festival.
4. Which in the light of accusations about Festival opponents' NIMBY-ism, suggests that PISEBY-ism (**** In Someone Else's Back Yard) is the name of the game.

A very disappointing decision. And the wrong decision. And some of the comments here are awfully silly. The suggestion that a family festival of the sort planned would leave a 'criminal and social aftermath' is absurd (and I do wonder why the author of that post did so much analysis only to ignore those parts of his findings that might lead to a different conclusion than the one he presumably already had. But perhaps that's common among market researchers!

Other towns that have comparable festivals: Grassington, Otley, Masham, etc. all benefit greatly from the events; it boosts trade and tourism, it assists with the town's profile.

I hope the organisers appeal.

What Scott-Smith fails to say is that he was at the hearing and spoke out as a strong objector. He was boring then too.

Following on from the post above, what Scott-Smith also fails to note is that a lot of those people who are not listed from the local area most likely do have links to the area e.g. students who spend most of the year at uni but are home in the holidays or those who have families here and are looking for a reason to visit. What he should also note from his 'raw data' is the amount of people willing to come back for such an event to spend money in the local community. It's okay though, I think I shall be going to America for that month now (booking flights tomorrow), they may appreciate my money whilst settle starves.

Run along nimbys, it's nearly nap time, try not to have a hernia on your way.

P.S. To those who argue to the contrary; this event was important to the youth of the town! I hope you enjoy enjoy being abused by kids roaming the streets in the period when the festival would have been preparing/taking place, it would have been a good opportunity for some of them to get a taste of the real world (no longer being big fish in a small town) and given them some work experience to help them on their way! Thank God I can escape to uni...

Thank-you so far for all the positive comments.

We are looking into the appeal process .... register and sign in to our webspace to keep in touch - www.settlefestival.c
o.uk

Settle people, before you knock that your not getting in concert.
THINK !, Where are you ?

music lover wrote:
<b> What Scott-Smith fails to say is that he was at the hearing and spoke out as a strong objector. He was boring then too.</b>

Yep, true, I'm willing to stand and be counted when I believe it's right to do so. Moreover, anonymous 'Music Lover', I've got the guts to put my name to my opinions. Unlike you!

Another victory for short sighted, narrow minded, stuffy champions of tedium. What exactly are some people in this area afraid of in terms of the propose Settle Festival? Please open your minds and maybe try something before you knock it(you may even enjoy yourselves). This Festival would have been a fantastic opportunity for young and old alike to experience something new in this area.
So for all those who voted against the festival well done keep your blinkers on and continue with your gardening, baking scones and washing your cars. However if you get chance have a look at the series A League of Gentle Men who famously quote "We'll not be having that sort of thing around here." You may find some kindred spirits.

Well it seems that there has been a real hornets nest stirred up over this and I for one am not going to be dragged into name calling and disrespecting other people's opinions! (which we are all entitled to) I am in favour of the event, I am local to the area (which may surprise some of you) and quite frankly I don't really care who makes any money out of the event (Hello! Reality check... that's just the way of the world today and anyone who doesn't beleive that needs to stop being so naive), the aim is to provide enjoyment for around 20,000 people and if that line's somebody's pockets along the way for all their hard work then what's all the commotion? Do all the objector's go out every day doing volountary work? I seriuosly doubt it! (And if any of you do then stand proud and keep up the good work)
Hopefully any further posts will just be from serious people who wish to express their views politely, its not hard folks... we've all got brains (well there aint much left of mine after all the abusive festivities I myself have frequented as I'm sure you can all tell by the lack of intelligence in this post!!)

C. Niall Dekkay wrote:
Poor Mark Dale – all together now – aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh! All that hard work and selfless community spirit devoted to dragging Settle and surrounding area out of the Dark Ages and save its fun-starved young folk from death by boredom at the hands of the mind-munching Zimmer Zombies. Instead, the Salvation of Settle lay in resurrecting such over-the-hill acts as Madness, Status Quo and The Stranglers. Forget the crap about a \"Family Event\" – of the expected 20,000 visitors daily how many would come to hear a poetry-reading or watch a play by a group of frustrated local thespians? Or to spend their moolah in Settle\'s shops and pubs? **** few, believe it. The aim of Mark and his low-profile businessmen supporters was to keep as many people as possible onsite in order to milk their booze and catering monopoly. But while yammering long and loud about \"regenerating\" the Settle area Mark and his commercial partners have kept mysteriously quiet about the fact that their overriding aim was to enrich themselves to the tune of (potentially) several hundreds of thousands of pounds. Credit where it\'s due, though. Mark has done a darn fine job of whipping up public support via MySpace, Bebo, eFestivals and other sites – most of whose visitors couldn\'t even find Settle on a map. I\'ll grant you Mark, you put a helluva lot of time and effort into this. But its wasn\'t for the benefit of Settle and its young people. Wrong site, wrong acts, wrong business plan (if there was one?), wrong partners and wrong motives. Back to the drawing board!

How can you be such a sad, heartless, boring, dull person?

For those of you not in a position to have read the woefully inadequate licence application, here's the licensing committee decision - I warn you it is a little long-winded but worth a read.

7. The Committee considered that it was necessary to reject the application for the premises licence so as to promote the four licensing objectives under the Act –

1) The prevention of crime and disorder

2) The prevention of public nuisance

3) Public safety

4) The protection of children from harm

8. In reaching this decision the Committee had regard to the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003, guidance issued under the Act and the CouncilÂ’s licensing policy

9. In arriving at its decision, the Committee disregarded any information and/or submissions which were not relevant to the licensing objectives under the 2003 Act.

10. In reaching this decision and in considering the application, the statutory representations and the oral evidence presented, the Committee were mindful of the scope to address issues through conditions and that any condition had to be necessary.

REASONS

11. In terms of the licensing objectives, a large number of issues were raised in the relevant representations, and considered. The Committee considered that the following were the principal issues that had been raised by the representations -

1) Roads and the Suitability of the Site.

2) Congestion.

3) Issues of Flooding, the River Ribble, Watercourses and Culverts.

4) Sound levels and Nuisance.

5) Planning and Management of the Event.

6) Staffing, Security and Stewarding.

7) Criminal Activity (On and Off the Site).

8) Children and Vulnerable People.

12. In terms of those issues, the Committee determined the following –

1) Roads and the Suitability of Site. Although a traffic management plan had been submitted, the Committee considered this to be inadequate . The plan did not properly address the A65 and pedestrians. The Committee was of the opinion that although Mr Dale had stated his intention to provide crossing points, lighting, traffic lights and stewards, there was nothing in place before them which provided certainty regarding the content of any amended traffic plan and in so far as it could, intended to address the dangers posed to festival goers, pedestrians and other road users on the A65. The suitability of Rathmell Road was also a concern to the Committee bearing in mind the absence of pavements/pedestrian
s walk areas and associated dangers to pedestrians. In reaching this view, the Committee accepted the points raised in this regard by the North Yorkshire Police and interested parties.

2) Congestion. The A65 is the main spinal route within Craven and also links West Yorkshire to Kendal and the Lakes. The Committee was of the view that the Festival would lead to congestion on this route and measures such as the introduction of temporary traffic lights on the Settle Bypass would add to this congestion. The Committee was concerned and accepted points raised in the representations that the resulting congestion could impact on the ability of the emergency services to respond to a road traffic accident or other medical emergency in the area concerned to an unacceptable degree . Again, the Committee considered that a clear traffic management plan was not available to the Committee .

3) Flood issues, River Ribble, Watercourses and Culverts. The Committee accepted that the risks posed by the presence of culverts and water courses within the site could be addressed by conditions and the use of fencing and other measures. However, having received and heard submissions from those familiar with the site, they were of the view that in the absence of risk assessments and site evacuation plans the risks and dangers posed to persons on the site, particularly the campsites, as a result of flooding and standing water were not adequately addressed within the plans and the documentation before the Committee.

4) Sound Levels and Noise Nuisance. Having considered representations and the evidence presented by Mr Pickles (the Senior Environmental Health Officer) and Mr Fairclough and whilst acknowledging Mr DaleÂ’s response to those representations and evidence, the Committee concluded that they did not consider that Mr Dale would be able to control noise from the event to the extent that it would not cause nuisance to residents. The Committee noted that Mr Dale said that he would engage the services of Capita Symonds to assist with sound levels but again the Committee had not seen any information and/or plans to allow this to be considered.

5) Planning and Management of the Event. Given the scale and extent of the event, the Committee concluded that the event safety management plan and operating schedule before them was too generic , was not sufficiently advanced and contained insufficient data in terms of policies, procedures and plans to enable them to be assured that Mr Dale was able to satisfy the four licensing objectives under the Act. Mrs Longfield on behalf of the Festival Action Group submitted that the policies were generic and not site specific. The Committee agreed with that. Examples of the policies/documents etc not available to the Committee, or incomplete are-
a) Traffic management plan (including pedestrian plan).

b) Risk assessments.
c) Site evacuation plans .

d) Health and safety plan.
e) Eviction policy.
f) Drugs policy .

g) Major incident plan.
6) Staffing, Security and Stewarding. The Committee was concerned at the absence of information in relation to issues highlighted within the representations submitted by North Yorkshire Police . Again, they concluded that the application and supporting management plan contained insufficient detail to give them satisfaction as to the arrangements to be put in place. No site specific arrangements existed.

7) Criminal Activity (On and Off Site) . Again in the absence of sufficient detail within the management plan, absence of clarity on the likely audience profile and taking account of the representations submitted and presented by the North Yorkshire Police , the Committee concluded that they were not in a position to adequately judge at this time Mr DaleÂ’s ability to address the concerns of the Police and residents in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder. Mr Dale referred to the offer of policing from British Transport Police, but again the Committee had not been provided with any detailed information or procedures in this regard.

8) Children and Vulnerable People . Bearing in mind the scale and extent of the event applied for by Mr Dale and the representations submitted by North Yorkshire Police , the Licensing Committee concluded that the management plan lacked clarity on how issues associated with the safety and welfare of children and vulnerable people are to be addressed.

13. North Yorkshire Police and the Interested Parties in particular had raised substantial issues and objections based on all four of the licensing objectives. The Committee heard little from Mr Dale that would rebut those concerns. The Committee decided that it was not workable to address, what was a substantial number of, concerns with conditions and therefore determined that it was necessary to reject the application. Furthermore, the Committee was of the view that it was not able to assess what would be workable conditions given the inadequacy of the documents produced by Mr Dale and the absence before them of important information . The Committee concluded that it was necessary to reject the application to promote the objectives.

14. The application by Mr Dale for a premises licence is therefore rejected.

So far from being the "NIMBY's" who have scuppered the festival plans - it seems the Settle Festival Co itself that seems to have shot itself in the foot!!

I'm REALLY gutted to find that the application has been rejected. I mean why should the local community and the outreaching areas have to pay stupid money to go to the next nearest big music festival?? Shurely we should be supporinbg local commerce and helping Settle get back on the map as a vibrant and diverse town!! The only saving grace for me is that I am at uni most of the year, but I would have loved a more reasonable diverse festval within easy distance that wouldn't cost heaven and earth to go to! And as for the music 'only appealing to 30+ that is a load of rubbish! Younger generations appreceate the classics that were set to play and we to feel as cheated as local bands will also loose out as Mr Dale intended to get as many locals involved as possible....as I can say is APPEAL

As a supporter of Marks attempts to gain a licence, I can only say that the guys honesty and truthfulness has been his downfall. Had he done what other first time festival organisers do, he would have applied for three sites, two of which were clearly more unsuitable,and he would also have misled the council about how many festival goers to expect. He would also have kept silent about the names of the bands invited. The principle others work on is that the council would then approve one of the sites, and that would have been the most suitable one - the one he wanted! Next time Mark, apply for a festival of World Culture, with Bangra bands and Chinese kite flying. Get the licence and then change it at the last minute. Make certain it is an annual licence and not a one off licence. Then Settle Festival will go ahead!

this decision has really ****ed me off

Our local festival helps local businesses. it's great I go every year with my 4 year old son.
It would be much more productive to discuss and iron out potential nuisances/crimes/etc
. than just to sit here and **** at each other. Why can't the objectors work with Mark? Can't you call a meeting so people can express thier views and ideas for solving them?

the RIGHT decission has been made. go and get your dirty money from somewhere else and not from here. I will fight your every attempt, before your alowwed your DRUG RAVE here.

SirsÂ…..

Does it not concern Craven District Council that in light of the large exposure which this event has had over the last two years and with only minor further e-exposure on websites such as My-space and E-festivals, there is a real prospect of an unofficial event taking place somewhere in the district, regardless of what NIMBYs would like? Such an event would not be subject to security checks, organisational control, health and safety law and facilities, proper policing and stewardship which the proposed official event would have had. Maybe local people need only to cast their minds back to the days of the Ribblehead free festival in the mid 80Â’s to get a perspective of what alternative events may occur this August. Who knows, even Hawkwind might turn up and do a set at the end!

Nuff SaidÂ…..

Well ! we'll spend our money somewhere else. see you at another festival. good riddence settle foggies

does this mean they cannot hold anymore village fete's due to the same reason

I am 55 and would love to see the festival go ahead - come on you old coggers ?

Concerned wrote:
SirsÂ….. Does it not concern Craven District Council that in light of the large exposure which this event has had over the last two years and with only minor further e-exposure on websites such as My-space and E-festivals, there is a real prospect of an unofficial event taking place somewhere in the district, regardless of what NIMBYs would like? Such an event would not be subject to security checks, organisational control, health and safety law and facilities, proper policing and stewardship which the proposed official event would have had. Maybe local people need only to cast their minds back to the days of the Ribblehead free festival in the mid 80Â’s to get a perspective of what alternative events may occur this August. Who knows, even Hawkwind might turn up and do a set at the end! Nuff SaidÂ…..

It was because the organisational controls were not in place that the application was rejected..it was the applicants inabililty to deliver a credible proposal on a credible site that was its downfall.. after two years planning and still woefully short, maybe people should ask questions not of those had reservations, but of those who, with no shortage of financial backing, still failed to deliver anything more than a concept

A Resident wrote:
<b>

Concerned wrote:
SirsÂ….. Does it not concern Craven District Council that in light of the large exposure which this event has had over the last two years and with only minor further e-exposure on websites such as My-space and E-festivals, there is a real prospect of an unofficial event taking place somewhere in the district, regardless of what NIMBYs would like? Such an event would not be subject to security checks, organisational control, health and safety law and facilities, proper policing and stewardship which the proposed official event would have had. Maybe local people need only to cast their minds back to the days of the Ribblehead free festival in the mid 80Â’s to get a perspective of what alternative events may occur this August. Who knows, even Hawkwind might turn up and do a set at the end! Nuff SaidÂ…..

It was because the organisational controls were not in place that the application was rejected..it was the applicants inabililty to deliver a credible proposal on a credible site that was its downfall.. after two years planning and still woefully short, maybe people should ask questions not of those had reservations, but of those who, with no shortage of financial backing, still failed to deliver anything more than a concept</b>

Sirs...

The respondent seems to have ducked the question regarding an alternative un-restricted free festival occurring in August now that the official gathering has been deemed inappropriate by the powers that be. Does Mr Resident from Giggleswick believe that this prospect has been given its due consideration by the authorities? Was Mr Resident able to attend a Ribblehead Free Festivals of the 80Â’s to see for himself the fun and revelry enjoyed by young and old alike?

Nuff SaidÂ…..

Re Concerned Peckham
Yes,Yes
How do you say in Peckham?
Nuff said....

Optimistic as I am IÂ’m not surprised that the small-minded youth-fearing elderly bigots of settle have spoilt another beautiful idea, as a local musician I am outraged, this was a huge opportunity for me and literally hundreds of others. This would have been a major step in making the music scene in Yorkshire one to be remembered and recognized. We are sick of it. The younger generation is constantly said to be destructive because of boredom but now when a positive and inspiring event has the chance to happen it is rejected. We are often called inconsiderate, selfish and even degenerative but now when we could have given something back to the community, when we could have had something momentous, when we could have made a difference; we have AGAIN been denied by philistines,

mark you have my full support.
Jack Sankey

Keep positive Mark and co, the festivals in our area have got better and better and they started out with opposition. They are efficiently managed and all ages attend. We look forward to coming up to Settle Festival to play there!

Please move this idea to an area with a forward thinking community. There must be a location close to Skipton away from the pompous tweed wearers.

I am absolutely fuming. I feel that we should protest at this decision. The pathetic excuses listed above are vague and easily overcome with support from the Council. I mean noise problems - its a festival!!!!! I went to a festival in Spain last year which was situated next to a housing estate. They probably had people complain but they made a decision for the benefit of the majority not the disapproval of a handful. What kind of democratic decision is this. I suggest we take these peoples complaints and use them to spoil events they would enjoy such as the Waterways festival and some of the many country festivals. See how they like it!!!

Mark,
I am sad that the festival will not go ahead. I think it has been sabotaged by environmentalists who because you have spent much time in the past campaining to promote driving 4x4 jeeps on the green lanes of the Yorkshire Dales for recreation (in spite of the damage it does) have got it in for you.

Peter Snott-Smith seems to have missed the point in his obscure calculations; one of the main aims of the festival was to bring people into the area and help the economy - put Settle back on the map and make it the vibrant town it once was.

Graeme Lawson wrote:
<b> Peter Snott-Smith seems to have missed the point in his obscure calculations; one of the main aims of the festival was to bring people into the area and help the economy - put Settle back on the map and make it the vibrant town it once was.</b>

Yo Graeme! Settle a once-vibrant town, eh?
You and other MD groupies constantly use vibrant", "vibrancy" etc in your postings.
I know it's one of 4x4 Mark's favourite words. But do you (or he) know what it actually means?
Try reading a dictionary instead of The Beano and you'll learn that your fave word actually means:
"sonorous, throbbing, pulsating, reverberating, reverberant, resounding, ringing, echoing, carrying, booming, blaring, thunderous, strident."
You and good ol' 4x4 might want that for Settle. But I doubt Settle does.

I have visited Settle many times over the years and what I have witnessed is young people with nothing to do apart from hang and mope around the town in gangs drinking. Being such a remote town this is only going to get worse. I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to rejuvinate the town but for farsical reasons people have destroyed the last bit of hope. I hope the disenters have the bottle to come out, show their faces and offer alternatives to the many angry people rather than hide away in there cosy cottages on nice pensions. I also hope the Craven Herald reveal in detail the number of disenters and allow the vast majority to express their discust. Finally Mr C. Niall Dekkay - get a life - instead of putting down other peoples hopes for the towns come up with something yourself. Firstly that is not a dictionary definition but a thesaurus lookup and secondly here's an actual dictionary definition for you - Killjoy - a person who spoils the joy or pleasure of others; spoilsport.

What's wrong with reading Beano? It's far better than playing Zorro - hiding behind amask a la C Niall Dekkay. I saw your Spanish cousin the other day - Senior Momento! I do Remember what Settle used to be like when I was growing up here, and it was far better than it is now. Have you lived here long enough to remember what Settle used to be like, or are you afraid of being unmasked? Adios Amigo.

John wrote:
<b> I have visited Settle many times over the years and what I have witnessed is young people with nothing to do apart from hang and mope around the town in gangs drinking. Being such a remote town this is only going to get worse. I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to rejuvinate the town but for farsical reasons people have destroyed the last bit of hope. I hope the disenters have the bottle to come out, show their faces and offer alternatives to the many angry people rather than hide away in there cosy cottages on nice pensions. I also hope the Craven Herald reveal in detail the number of disenters and allow the vast majority to express their discust. Finally Mr C. Niall Dekkay - get a life - instead of putting down other peoples hopes for the towns come up with something yourself. Firstly that is not a dictionary definition but a thesaurus lookup and secondly here\'s an actual dictionary definition for you - Killjoy - a person who spoils the joy or pleasure of others; spoilsport.
</b>

Funny old world, isn't it, 'John of Skipton'?
Folk like you always tell those who don't share their views to "get a life" - but rarely have one themselves.
I'd like to get a life - I really, really would - but I'm far too busy earning a crust as an international business journalist, or creating websites for good causes, fellwalking, studying Tai Chi, writing poetry, botching do-it-yourself and having fun with intelligent people of all ages and backgrounds.
Yep, I really do need to get a life. How about you?
Oh, and by the way, you'll be glad to learn this is my final posting re 4x4 Mark's festival. I have a plane to catch to Vancouver. Boring, huh?

Bon Voyage Zorro. One way ticket? Make sure you're back for the festival!

Graeme Lawsonw wrote:
<b> Bon Voyage Zorro. One way ticket? Make sure you're back for the festival!</b>

By way of a bye-bye, Graeme, may I say how much I've enjoyed your postings even though we disagree about the site - but not the concept - of the festival. All of your comments have been to pertinent, observant, good-humoured and witty. Hope to meet up with you over a pint one of these days. At a well-organized festival perhaps?

See you Zorro. It will happen, but as you say, on a smaller scale. This is a dying town and is in need of a good boost. It is sad to see the demise of a community, brought on by people's lifestyle changes, but unless we do something positive now, the small businesses won't survive - and what is a small market town going to do without shops? I'd rather see people coming to Settle and share our beautiful town and it's picturesque setting, than to watch tumbleweed.

I have just banged my head on my Range Rover and come to my senses. Please allow the festival to happen. I want to help Settle and the surrounding areas.

Go Graeme! I'm a young person from Settle who has lived in the town all my life. All of my family and friends were so looking forward to the festival and I don't know why you boring geriatrics keep banging on about drugs - do you honestly think EVERY young person is on drugs these days?! Get a life and find something else to complain about. Good luck to Mark and the Settle Festival team!

Well said Michelle! I for one know you don't need drugs! Also well done C.Niall. Don't get too excited and miss your plane!

I'm very saddened by the decision (and my house is right next to the proposed site!). Yes, there are always queues on the A65 - it would have been nice if it had been people coming to Settle for once, rather than chuntering past on their way to the Lakes. Many other festivals happen in rural locations (the Trowbridge Village Pump is miles from the nearest main road)without armaggeddon occurring - why should Settle be particularly cursed?
Sigh...

Ok I've read every comment on here and I am getting pretty fed up wih some of the people of Settle. I love the area, I really do. But as for some of the people in it, that's a different matter. From reading some of these comments I seem to get the general feeling that people think that Settle is drug central. Hell, have these people ever been anywhere else but settle?! Have a look around you, murders happen all over the country, rapists going around, people going missing, massive drug raids! Honestly, I havent seen much of that going on in settle. And as for a few kids that actually do drugs, they're probably not that serious and if you ask these kids why they do it, a common answer is that they have nothing better to do. Therefore, give them something to do. I read earlier on this page something about the A65 being a dangerous road. Is this because there have been some crashes on it from time to time? Yea, most roads do have crashes from time to time, but do they really happen that often? Can't say I recall that many in comparison to many other roads. Some people have been complaining about the noise. Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realsie your house was situated in the middle of a field in Rathmell! Its not like the things gonna be going on for three days non stop. Some people have complained that Settle would become too busy as a result, well wouldnt that be a good thing? How can it become too busy?I'm sure that the local businesses would benefit from it and a lot of money would be coming in to Settle. But no thats not important is it, some people would rather just have Settle as their own private playground! I don't think people understand that areas like Settle need money to keep going. But to be honest, im sure that the people that would be going wouldn't actually be interested in venturing in the exciting town of Settle anyway! so don't worry those people who are worried about the length of time it takes them to walk into town and get a paper being increased by about 30 seconds. I'm not saying I've lived in Settle a long time compared to some people, but I bet my 19 years there are a **** sight longer than some of the people who are moaning about the fesitval. I have to agree with the point which was made about the worry of people getting to drunk at the festival, yet there are no qualms about skipton having a beer festival ha ha! Classic! It has also been noted that there was no organisation behind the project. From what I understand, some of the same people who organise Leeds Festival were involved. You don't get much better organisation than that! Its not like this idea was some pipe dream which was drawn up a few weeks ago! The plans have been going on for years now. And to the person that said young people arn't interested in listenin to bands such as Madness and the Stranglers. Obviously you don't know many young people! Hell, the Stranglers tour around universities all the time! And anyway, who said this thing was only for young people? Nobody expects to see the likes of Oasis and the Arctic Monkeys there. Everyone has to start somewhere. If local bands were gonna be playing as well then great. Im sure people would love that. If a place like Grassington can cope with a festival then im sure Settle should be able to cope as well shouldn't they? Someone said something about Mark Dale only organising the event so that his back pocket would benefit from it. WELL YESSS, thats how the world works doesn't it! Altruistic behaviours arn't as common as you may like to believe. For example, the person who wrote that very comment. If you wernt just thinking about yourself then you would let the festival go ahead! Can't you see how many people would be happy if it did go ahead? As many people have said, young people wont be in any rush to come back to the area. Kids who are there at the moment can't wait to get the hell out of there and the people that have got out of there don't wanna come back (not like they can afford to anyway with some of the extortionate house prices). Anyway, the people of Settle will be happy in the not to distant future, because nobody under the age 40 will be living there. At the moment I'm at university in Preston. Personally I think gettin out of Settle was one of the best moves I've made in my life. Eventhough I do still live there out of term time and still love the area, I've gotta say, when I'm not there, I dont miss it all that much.

I live in settle and have 2 small children and would much rather take my children to a festival with madness and the stranglers than visit a slightly drunk santa sat in a horse box with a very soggy bouncy castle next to it, as was the christmas fair last year. Please appeal settle could do alot better or have I been sniffing too much glue??

Rachel I heard the same about santa. I am 55 not drug fueled and would love to see a festival here. why not try ingleton if settle dont want it i'm sure we would appreciate the event.

Perhaps someone would like to list the things on offer for people in Settle to do at the weekend?

I'll have a go from being brought up there:

1. Drink at The Golden Lion

2. Drink at The Talbot

3. Drink at The Royal Oak

4. Drink at the Rugby club

Anything else? Nope, i cant think of any. Oh, actually:

4. Go to the Spar for some cheap wine and drink it on Castleberg.

5. Get the train to Skipton or Leeds and have fun.

See that's the whole problem with Settle for 15-30 year olds, if you don't get out, you get stuck in the same old routine, week in/week out.

The kids in Settle can't have any fun or enjoy themselves as there's always a stuck-in-their ways ofcumden (and lets be frank, i bet a WHOLE English pound that the party against the festival was a majority of ofcumdens , perhaps with a few brainwashed bored locals thrown into the mix). You know the type, one's that watch 'Dancing on Ice', host dinner parties for their 'friends' and constantly bang on about their lovely converted barn or some such.

Settle and surrounding areas are not upper-class and never will be so instead of liviong in your bubbles, why not bugger off to Hannah/Toby/Tarquin'
s weekend retreat while the festival is on and let people enjoy themselves? Where's the harm?

Oh, and a final thought, perhaps the middle-aged normal Settle inhabitants would prefer to drink and smoke, that way they won't live to be cantankerous and miserable old **** s that might end up living in, say, Rathmell.

Peter Scott-Smith wrote:
<b> As an observer from a market research background, I thought it might be interesting to analyse the postings on this site to get a TRUE indicator of local sentiment about the Settle Festival. I took as a sample the first 35 postings – ending at 4.10pm Saturday 23 February with a posting by Paul.
Of those 35 postings four were duplicates, all expressing the same view – in support of the event. After eliminating these duplicates, 80.6% of postings supported the festival; 19.4% were against.
In terms of where supporters lived, 32.2% came from Settle and 16.1% from elsewhere in Craven. But the majority of supporters (51.6.%) came from outside the Settle/Craven area – from areas as distant as
These are the raw numbers. You can check them for yourselves – it\'s how you interpret them that matters.
So they must be considered in the light of the following factors:
1. Given that the license application was refused, protestors are far more likely to register their views than those who support the verdict.
2. While there is genuine disappointment in Settle and Craven, a majority of protest emanates from as far afield as Glasgow and London (even Chicago, according to one later posting). It would seem that that the majority of supporters prefer to **** outside their own tents.
3. The fact that a majority of protestors come from outside the area, suggests that the Settle Festival promoters are less interested in providing entertainment for locals than for the rest of the UK. These outsiders, Settle, Giggleswick and Rathmell residents might think, don\'t have to live with the criminal and social aftermath of such a festival.
4. Which in the light of accusations about Festival opponents\' NIMBY-ism, suggests that PISEBY-ism (**** In Someone Else\'s Back Yard) is the name of the game.
</b>

OMG, what a load of rubbish!

How, being from an alleged Market Researchers backgrouds, you possibly take the cross-section of the people who post on an internet readers comments board as indicative of anything is laughable? There are far too many variables to get even a vague cross-section of the community/views, any idiot can work that out FFS.

That aside, i think you'll probably get posters from outside the Settle area, that's just life, its the internet...its worldwide now. There's these magic things that 'float on rails' now called trains. They have the ability to transport passengers from other places to Settle/Giggleswick.

I'm intruiged as to what you mean by the 'criminal and social aftermath'? Or is this simply another scare-mongering tactic?

As for people's backyards, what do you care? Long Preston is far enough away. talk about outsiders sticking their nose it, tut tut, how hypocritical.

Finally the guilty are revealed

"4) Rathmell Parish Meeting (represented by Mr Stone, Chairman) 5) Giggleswick Parish Council (represented by Dr Friar, Chairman) 6) Ramblers Association Craven Group (represented by Mr Gibson) 7) Mrs Longfield of Walker Morris Solicitors representing those interested parties comprising the Festival Action Group. Mrs Longfield called several of the interested parties that she acted for to give evidence together with a Mr Fairclough as an expert in acoustic and noise control. Mr Fairclough had been instructed by Mr R Crabtree, an interested party 8) Mr P Scott-Smith 9) Mrs S Birkin 5. All parties were allowed an opportunity to ask questions so as to ensure that all issues that had been raised were properly, fairly and fully addressed by those at the hearing."

MISUNDERSTOOD wrote:
For those of you not in a position to have read the woefully inadequate licence application, here's the licensing committee decision - I warn you it is a little long-winded but worth a read.

7. The Committee considered that it was necessary to reject the application for the premises licence so as to promote the four licensing objectives under the Act – 1) The prevention of crime and disorder 2) The prevention of public nuisance 3) Public safety 4) The protection of children from harm 8. In reaching this decision the Committee had regard to the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003, guidance issued under the Act and the Council’s licensing policy 9. In arriving at its decision, the Committee disregarded any information and/or submissions which were not relevant to the licensing objectives under the 2003 Act. 10. In reaching this decision and in considering the application, the statutory representations and the oral evidence presented, the Committee were mindful of the scope to address issues through conditions and that any condition had to be necessary. REASONS 11. In terms of the licensing objectives, a large number of issues were raised in the relevant representations, and considered. The Committee considered that the following were the principal issues that had been raised by the representations - 1) Roads and the Suitability of the Site. 2) Congestion. 3) Issues of Flooding, the River Ribble, Watercourses and Culverts. 4) Sound levels and Nuisance. 5) Planning and Management of the Event. 6) Staffing, Security and Stewarding. 7) Criminal Activity (On and Off the Site). 8) Children and Vulnerable People. 12. In terms of those issues, the Committee determined the following – 1) Roads and the Suitability of Site. Although a traffic management plan had been submitted, the Committee considered this to be inadequate . The plan did not properly address the A65 and pedestrians. The Committee was of the opinion that although Mr Dale had stated his intention to provide crossing points, lighting, traffic lights and stewards, there was nothing in place before them which provided certainty regarding the content of any amended traffic plan and in so far as it could, intended to address the dangers posed to festival goers, pedestrians and other road users on the A65. The suitability of Rathmell Road was also a concern to the Committee bearing in mind the absence of pavements/pedestrian s walk areas and associated dangers to pedestrians. In reaching this view, the Committee accepted the points raised in this regard by the North Yorkshire Police and interested parties. 2) Congestion. The A65 is the main spinal route within Craven and also links West Yorkshire to Kendal and the Lakes. The Committee was of the view that the Festival would lead to congestion on this route and measures such as the introduction of temporary traffic lights on the Settle Bypass would add to this congestion. The Committee was concerned and accepted points raised in the representations that the resulting congestion could impact on the ability of the emergency services to respond to a road traffic accident or other medical emergency in the area concerned to an unacceptable degree . Again, the Committee considered that a clear traffic management plan was not available to the Committee . 3) Flood issues, River Ribble, Watercourses and Culverts. The Committee accepted that the risks posed by the presence of culverts and water courses within the site could be addressed by conditions and the use of fencing and other measures. However, having received and heard submissions from those familiar with the site, they were of the view that in the absence of risk assessments and site evacuation plans the risks and dangers posed to persons on the site, particularly the campsites, as a result of flooding and standing water were not adequately addressed within the plans and the documentation before the Committee. 4) Sound Levels and Noise Nuisance. Having considered representations and the evidence presented by Mr Pickles (the Senior Environmental Health Officer) and Mr Fairclough and whilst acknowledging Mr Dale’s response to those representations and evidence, the Committee concluded that they did not consider that Mr Dale would be able to control noise from the event to the extent that it would not cause nuisance to residents. The Committee noted that Mr Dale said that he would engage the services of Capita Symonds to assist with sound levels but again the Committee had not seen any information and/or plans to allow this to be considered. 5) Planning and Management of the Event. Given the scale and extent of the event, the Committee concluded that the event safety management plan and operating schedule before them was too generic , was not sufficiently advanced and contained insufficient data in terms of policies, procedures and plans to enable them to be assured that Mr Dale was able to satisfy the four licensing objectives under the Act. Mrs Longfield on behalf of the Festival Action Group submitted that the policies were generic and not site specific. The Committee agreed with that. Examples of the policies/documents etc not available to the Committee, or incomplete are- a) Traffic management plan (including pedestrian plan). b) Risk assessments. c) Site evacuation plans . d) Health and safety plan. e) Eviction policy. f) Drugs policy . g) Major incident plan. 6) Staffing, Security and Stewarding. The Committee was concerned at the absence of information in relation to issues highlighted within the representations submitted by North Yorkshire Police . Again, they concluded that the application and supporting management plan contained insufficient detail to give them satisfaction as to the arrangements to be put in place. No site specific arrangements existed. 7) Criminal Activity (On and Off Site) . Again in the absence of sufficient detail within the management plan, absence of clarity on the likely audience profile and taking account of the representations submitted and presented by the North Yorkshire Police , the Committee concluded that they were not in a position to adequately judge at this time Mr Dale’s ability to address the concerns of the Police and residents in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder. Mr Dale referred to the offer of policing from British Transport Police, but again the Committee had not been provided with any detailed information or procedures in this regard. 8) Children and Vulnerable People . Bearing in mind the scale and extent of the event applied for by Mr Dale and the representations submitted by North Yorkshire Police , the Licensing Committee concluded that the management plan lacked clarity on how issues associated with the safety and welfare of children and vulnerable people are to be addressed. 13. North Yorkshire Police and the Interested Parties in particular had raised substantial issues and objections based on all four of the licensing objectives. The Committee heard little from Mr Dale that would rebut those concerns. The Committee decided that it was not workable to address, what was a substantial number of, concerns with conditions and therefore determined that it was necessary to reject the application. Furthermore, the Committee was of the view that it was not able to assess what would be workable conditions given the inadequacy of the documents produced by Mr Dale and the absence before them of important information . The Committee concluded that it was necessary to reject the application to promote the objectives. 14. The application by Mr Dale for a premises licence is therefore rejected.

So far from being the "NIMBY's" who have scuppered the festival plans - it seems the Settle Festival Co itself that seems to have shot itself in the foot!!

This speaks for itself. I am a Rathmell resident and this would have been right on my doorstep. I have a young family and did not want this disruption and nuisance, but might have been persuaded had I had any confidence in the ability of the organiser, who is supposed to be an 'experienced' festival organiser, but couldn't even fiull in the form correctly to apply for the annual event he intended and instead applied for a one off event. With this level of competency I always had very serious concerns that the rest of the problems would be adequately addressed and it seems I have been proved correct. Call me what you like, NIMBY or whatever, I care not, but at bankholiday weekend I'll be sitting in my garden enjoying the peace and quiet as it ought to be.

I must remember to turn my car radio down if I drive through Rathmell over the Bank Holiday, so Mr. Cooper can hear the tractors bringing in the silo - I hope it's a good crop this year.

Good news for the sleepy burghers of Rathmell - the Settle Carlisle line will be closed from 1-9 March, so there won't be any of those nasty, noisy freight trains running all through the night. The good burghers of Rathmell will be able to sleep peacefully in their beds (until the tractors start up, the sheep start bleating, the birds sing, the A65 traffic noise starts). The Rathmell cabal are a group of well heeled incomers who know the way tinpot councils work and so are happy to use this knowlege to put one over locals who want to bring the area into the contemporary world. They've won this one, but rejoice in the fact they will be dead before the youngsters who are trying to change things for the better.

Good post by Kris of Leeds, ex Settle. He's obviously a more recent emigre then I (left in the 70's but have now returned for some of the time). Putting my restuarant critics hat on, the provision of such in Settle and area is lamentable. The pubs aren't up to much, the food seved up rates from poor to average - the only saving graces are the recently opened 13 bar (Nuttall's Ironmongers) and the Little House next to the ploddery (open office hours Monday to Friday only - the ploddery that is).
There is nowt for the 15-30 year old age bracket in Settle - those with intelligence and sense move away to study and get a decent job as another thing that this area does not have is well paid high status employment.
If you look at the biggest employers in the area they are Giggleswick School and Settle College - whose best output will inevitably leave the area.
At least this whole Settle Festival thing has got people talking and maybe something will come out of it - I have my doubts though.
Before I shut up, here's a Rathmell story.
The Young Farmers held a 'Beat Dance' in the early 70's at Rathmell Reading Rooms. This affair consisted of a Dansette record player (mono) and the light show was a single (1) red bulb in a standard lamp, less shade. Us more sophisticated types from Giggleswick and Settle (who had actually been away from Settle to exotic places such as Leeds and even London) found this mildly amusing. Closer inspection of the locals showed up that their eyes were a little closer together than normal and had very similar facial characteristics and mannerisms. Older versions of the above lurked in the shadows.
Are the Rathmell objectors showing similar characteristics?
'We'll be having none of that round here'

Why can the festival supporters not accept that their reason for failure is poor management and organisation and insist on blaming the people that pointed this out to them. They seem set on the stereotypical image of someone who doesn't want this as being old, boring, inbred, "well heeled" and / or stuck up. I am non of those things, just as I am sure that the people who DO want the festival are not all long haired hippy, drug taking cretins. For the record, I am not a 'local', but I have been in Rathmell 6 years, so I know the area well. Also for the record, I like trains, tractors, cockerels, sheep and all the other NORMAL sounds this rich enviromnent brings. That is WHY I came here.

So sad that people who can't accept their own shortcomings have to resort to name calling and insults which only serves to further prove their unsuitability for organising / attending such events.

We all know that the reason the festival is cancelled is because of the desperation of some of the Rathmell villagers to resort to paying for expert witnesses and lawyers. As in any hearing the ones with the most money and best lawyers will usually win - eg OJ Simpson. Plus it would have been nice to have a more objective hearing panel than Captain Mainwaring and chums

Thank you for illustrating my point so eloquently.

A few narrowminded people dooming a town. Would it be too much too ask to let the younger generations live and experience some culture, rather than just exist in the retirement home that is Settle.

Message to Mr Cooper and his ilk :-
Tha might be summat down south, but up 'ere tha's nowt.

And yet, still achieving so much more than you.

Dave wrote:
the RIGHT decission has been made. go and get your dirty money from somewhere else and not from here. I will fight your every attempt, before your alowwed your DRUG RAVE here.

DRUG RAVE?????? you really are showing your lack of understanding of all things you silly old fool. Please go and die in a corner.

Mr Dale as I said 18months ago and I Quote: Great idea wrong location. If you are hell bent on having a festival then be up front with everyone find an alternative location prove to Settle it will be of benefit as well as lining your own pockets and get on with it.
Nothing more to add.

Hey, I have followed the progression of this for some time now, and half of you dont even begin to understand the hard work and dedication Mark & The Team have put into this.

Being within the Entertainment Industry for some years now, most of the objections on which the refusal was given, are negligable to say the least.

I have advised Mark and put him in touch which the Security and Stewarding Company, of which were represeted at the Meeting. All of the issues are 'red-tape' excercises, which could have been dealt with as a Provision contained within a Provisional license granted epnding approval.

But hey Settle, you are not alone with the 'Nimbys'. All to often we hear of people complaining that 'young-uns' are hanging about on strett corners, oh I feel afraid to walk down the street, dont they have anything better to do....and so on and so on.

When where the truth be known, and in this case, seems to have been unrecognised, people forget what opportunities these Events hold for the prosperity of the area, both locally and more afar. The financial income will help local economy, it gives the opportunity for people to become involved and seek employment. etc etc.

The reason that support is more so from outside Settle is a testament on how much publicity/background work has already gone into this Event. So what was to be expected?? To plan an Event on this scale on only allow local people in??? Dome a favour, from what I have read above, a gramophone would be more appropriate for that!

Of course people are going to come from afar, thats the whole idea, "to put Settle back on the Map!"

And yes, you will get busy roads, but people dont worry about that when its shopping day or Mummy is taking little 1 child to school in a car!

Really, yes this country as a whole is stuck in a time-warp, which is sadly driven and controlled by Nagging, Curtain-Twitching, Single minded, narrow & selfish people who are out fo rone thing and one thing only... to stay as they have been because its 'safe'!

Sorry to hear your bad news Mark anyway, I am sure you will prosper and get there hopefully in the end.

In reply to Mark Pearson, from Kent, I would point out that your experience in the entertainment industry does not qualify you to assess flood risk, road traffic conditions, crime and disorder issues or emergency response plans. I challenge you to come and look at the at the proposed Rathmell site, the proximity of Rathmell village, the flood plain and the road. Once you have surveyed this you will see that this is far from a "red tape exercise" or "negligible". The site and local infrastructure simply cannot support an event of this magnitude, no matter how much hard work has gone into the organisation. CDC made the right decision, as any one with common sense can see. The hard work needs to be redirected to find an appropriate location that CAN support this.

Having just read all the comments posted to date, I can only assume that I must be one of those much detested offcumden NIMBY old f*rts who have been so derided, vilified, verbally abused, and insulted by the often foul-mouthed intelligentsia who appear to form the bulk of the supporters of this over-vaunted Festival, for which I notice there are less than 400 hundred votes of support on the Festival's web-site. That's not really overwhelming support in my opinion...and that score has been accumulated since mid November.
If these moronic bored music-lovers can find so little to do in and about Settle, then I suggest that in place of attending the now cancelled Festival, they would be well advised, on that specified weekend in August,to gather up all the money they would have otherwise spent on booze and tickets, and buy themselves a book which sets out the rules of the grammar of the English language, a dictionary, and a copy of Roget's Thesaurus and study them in depth. Armed with these gems of learning they might emerge from the weekend far more literate than they currently appear to be and, therefore, far better prepared to argue their case for the Festival in a more intelligent, coherent and less abusive manner.

I LIVED IN SETTLE FOR THE FIRST 23 YEARS OF MY LIFE, [1963 TO 1987[, AND I NEVER, NEVER SAW ANYTHING NEAR VIBRANCE. SO WHERE WAS IT ?
ALL I WITNESSED WAS TOWN GANGS GETTING DRUNK AND SCRAPPING. RESULT OF WHICH I LEFT AS SOON AS I COULD.
ON TOP OF ALL THAT BEING FROM A FAMILY WHOM ONCE ALL LIVED IN SETTLE THERE IS ONLY AN AUNT AND UNCLE LEFT THERE NOW AND THEY INTEND RETIRING TO NEW ZEALAND IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.

sETTLE NEVER HAD IT AND NEVER WILL.

after 100 quotes interesting times.as alife time resident i have seen em all come and go some good some bad . the worst type though are the we know what settle needs or wants brigade.Not content with blending into the community its now we are here lets change this or alter that to suit us .Look at the town council elections 2 yrs ago mob handed 10 so called concerned people stood for election with own agenda.T (PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING) algae and failed M 4x4 Dale are now going to rejuvinate us all and our lives .With no thoughts of personal gain etc these two benefactors had big plans for settle area till naughty council turned them down.So come on now 100 quid each to support appeal non returnable! At least you knew where you stood with dick turpin.

Julius civis says you should all argue in a less abusive and more intelligent manner. This is backed up by calling everyone morons. Good one.

after 100 quotes interesting times.as alife time resident i have seen em all come and go some good some bad . the worst type though are the we know what settle needs or wants brigade.Not content with blending into the community its now we are here lets change this or alter that to suit us .Look at the town council elections 2 yrs ago mob handed 10 so called concerned people stood for election with own agenda.T (PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING) algae and failed M 4x4 Dale are now going to rejuvinate us all and our lives .With no thoughts of personal gain etc these two benefactors had big plans for settle area till naughty council turned them down.So come on now 100 quid each to support appeal non returnable! At least you knew where you stood with dick turpin.

isn't it better to at least TRY to do some good? rather than sit on your arse with the'i'm not going to do anything, because i'm a life time resident and i don't have to' attitude. At least Tom Algie and Mark Dale are attempting to liven up drab old settle. It's not about personal gain, it's about being interested in the area. WE CAN'T GO ON LIVING IN THE DARK AGES, PEOPLE

Budgie, Christchurch in new zealand is hardly a vibrant, buzzing metropolis now, is it?! New Zealand, a beautiful lovely friendly country, only has a population of 4 million... 3 million of whom live in the north island. If you think Christchurch 'has it', maybe there's hope for Settle too

'Perhaps someone would like to list the things on offer for people in Settle to do at the weekend?

I'll have a go from being brought up there:

1. Drink at The Golden Lion

2. Drink at The Talbot

3. Drink at The Royal Oak

4. Drink at the Rugby club'

Kris, Leeds, I'd just like to alter point 4, if I could. The rugby club isn't really on that much nowadays, so that cuts down the activities to do in Settle on a weekend by one.

And people are surprised that kids hang around and get ****... THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO DO

Its cool, i'm from Langcliffe, originally, ands i'm sure they'd host the festival on The Green there if you asked. Sadly it seem people in Rathmell have watched too much Spinal Tap rather than Waynes World.

Anyhow.

I work for the largest solicitors in the North and will be contacting Mr Dale to see if our firm can help his crusade. After all, its a minority of of bored ofcumdens that seem to be 'blocking' this.

As for the noise, im off to Rathmell next Sunday to drive around playing Girls Aloud DEAD loud in my car for a few hours. Anyone coming?

Yeah, its tru the rugby club isnt as active, but the again neither is the tlbot as apparantly is run by alleged 'idiots'.

Nevermind. Kids of Settle, if your bored get yersens up Castleberg to sniff glue and neck bottles of Merrydown, at least that way the lack of a youth club will be numbed.

Yeah, this is all very pathetic eh? Anyone would think im from rathmell.....BRING THE FLOODS!

Childish comment, yes, but you deserve it.

I congratulate Dan of Leeds for spotting the epithet "moronic" that I used to describe the many foul-mouthed, illiterate contributors to this blog.
The word was chosen carefully to convey my value judgement of their moral attitude. If Dan gets out his dictionary he will learn that the word is derived from the noun "moron" which itself stems from the Greek word "moros" meaning foolish. I do not think the word is in any way offensive or that it plums the depths of written English in the manner that their foul expletives do. It simply describes them as ..foolish.

While in the mood for replying to the real intelligentsia on the blog, I thought I might respond to Kris, of Leeds, who informs us that he is employed by the largest firm of solicitors in the north and also implies that he might just have some influence with the top-brass there.
Well..I know that solicitors, like politicians, attract a lot of adverse publicity, but it isn't all that surprising is it if Kris is representative of the quality of employee working in that profession. Even though I can forgive and overlook a few typing errors it is difficult to overlook the plethora of spelling and grammatical mistakes in Kris' latest contribution.
Well..I suppose that someone has to lick the envelopes at his solicitors' office and I think it better that he does it rather than some illegal immigrant from eastern Europe.

I think Julius Civis means 'plumb the depths'. He obviously isn't as smart as he would have you believe.

Julius Civis, you are patronising - and rather thick, to be honest. As are all those who seek to impose their narrow value systems on others by crying 'not in my back yard'! Fear Not, Festival lovers, you will win. We at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club had the same problem with the snobby green welly brigade and, altough it took years, we will get our new stadium as you will get your festival..and I'll play there! Alternatively, why don't we just take over one of the local pubs?

All the best
Attila

What would really concentrate the minds of these duffers is a healthy slate of pro-festival and pro-progress candidates
at the next council election, backed up with an energetic canvassing campaign. Kick 'em out!

"Touche" to Scholar of Skipton, for spotting my elementary mistake; perhaps it was just Freudian, perhaps it was just a manifestation of an old F##rt's dementia kicking in, or maybe it could be ascribed to the lead in the water in these parts.
You are obviously a man after my own heart - kindred spirits in the pursuit of perfection in erudition.

Quite evidently Attila from Brighton is determined to live up to his namesake's reputation by terrorising the rest of us, and in this context I assume that describing me as being "thick" and assuming that I am a nimby just because I may not share his views is as aggressive as he will get.
I am assuming that I am at least twice as old as Attila, perhaps even three times older,
but with age also comes experience, learning and, hopefully, an element of wisdom.
Having lived in Settle for exactly forty years I am in a privileged position to be able to assess the merits of the Festival better and less subjectively than
Attila. I actually know Mr Dale and his co-directors..and have experience of other events that they have promoted for the good of the public but at other people's, not their own expense.If Attila would care to read my contributions on the blog for Herald's contribution of the 29 February, he would learn that I actually support the Festival, albeit not in the manner in which it is being presented.Attila accuses me of being patronising. Yes I am, but in the first definition of that word ie "to support, guard, protect, or aid someone", but not in its pejorative sense.
Over the forty years I have lived in Settle I have promoted orchestral recitals, Blues and trad jazzband gigs, Medieval music sessions, Classic Spanish guitar workshops, woodwind ensembles, and exhibitions of arts and crafts..not too bad a record for an old-timer. Oh..and I did serve as a Town Councillor for some years and the legacy of some of my initiatives still endure and have made Settle into a better place for residents and visitors alike. Oh..I suppose that I could also be accused of having learned how to blow my own trumpet, due in all, probability to playing in a jazz-band myself.
"Festina lente" would be my advice to Mr dale and his team.

I'm 50 years old, a performance poet/musician of 28 years'standing, I've done well over 2500 gigs all over the world and literally hundreds of festivals, so I have more knowledge of what I'm talking about than a bunch of old curmudgeonly Yorkshire duffers (Northerners more friendly, they tell us - well, in the main I think that's true, but obviously not in Settle!) The ridiculous thing is that given the planned headliners at the festival the audience will be mainly in the 30-60 age bracket, and
in my vast experience it will be a happy, friendly event with no hassle of any kind. I run a beer/music festival myself...I know. I don't think I have ever come across such ridiculously insular, ill informed and unintelligent comment on the nature of festivals as on this site - good luck Mark, and if you don't win the appeal let's do a small version in one of the local pubs!
Council? Craven by name, craven by nature. Vote them out!

Cheers A

Attila the Stockbroker wrote:
I\'m 50 years old, a performance poet/musician of 28 years\'standing, I\'ve done well over 2500 gigs all over the world and literally hundreds of festivals, so I have more knowledge of what I\'m talking about than a bunch of old curmudgeonly Yorkshire duffers (Northerners more friendly, they tell us - well, in the main I think that\'s true, but obviously not in Settle!) The ridiculous thing is that given the planned headliners at the festival the audience will be mainly in the 30-60 age bracket, and in my vast experience it will be a happy, friendly event with no hassle of any kind. I run a beer/music festival myself...I know. I don\'t think I have ever come across such ridiculously insular, ill informed and unintelligent comment on the nature of festivals as on this site - good luck Mark, and if you don\'t win the appeal let\'s do a small version in one of the local pubs! Council? Craven by name, craven by nature. Vote them out! Cheers A

As an experienced festival campaigner you would be better using your undoubted wisdom advising the company directors of Settle Festival Ltd to find an alternative site away from the river basin. Because as you are obviously aware the site is underwater many times throughout the year and no council, craven or not, could grant a licence on this site.
Living in Brighton you will have often driven along the flooded road between Rathmell & Settle and will know as I do that the application will repeatedly fail on this site.
You will have read the objections in detail and therefore know most refer to flooding ..
By the way Mr Dale stated at the hearing that he did not envisage festival goers using the local pubs during the festival..so to run an small event in a settle pub would be unlikely .. sorry.. Mr Dales words, not mine..

Julius Civis - quote - " I actually know Mr Dale and his co-directors..and have experience of other events that they have promoted for the good of the public but at other people's, not their own expense."

Interesting ... please talk with me, in person, rather than hide behind some false web presence..... as i don't know you... unless you care to reveal your real persona ..... I would also like to know which events it is that you seem to be so knowledgeable of, and how they are funded....

It seems a lot of people have a lot of un-founded things to say, without actually being willing to put their real name to it .....

and to quote Rathmellite as above - another great quote of mine ....taken out of context .... "Mr Dale stated at the hearing that he did not envisage festival goers using the local pubs during the festival..so to run an small event in a settle pub would be unlikely .. sorry.. Mr Dales words, not mine.. "

again, why can't these people talk truths, not mis-quote (even within this thread, as atilla was talking about a different, smaller event at a pub ...!!!), perhaps folks using their own identities and standing up and being public in what they say would be more constructive..... and gain them some credibility


Mark Dale (a real person - living in Settle willing to put his head above the parapet, for a community event, only to be shot down by the anonymous lurkers...)

Is that you, julius civus/aka Paakwa?!

http://www.cravenmat
ters.co.uk/2008/01/i
ncompetence-or-worse
-chapter-2.html

Dear Anon,
Since I have lived in Christchurch, New Zealand I have seen UB40, Meatloaf, Lional Ritchie, even The Beat and Bad Manners, . I did'nt bother with Inxs, Split Enz, Hayley Westerena, The Police, Stone Roses and god knows how many more. This is just in Christchurch.

You choose to live in Settle, so you can suffer.

Dear Anon of Settle.
I would like to add at the moment in time I personally know of 7 persons from the Settle, Ingleton area living in Christchurch right now all agreeing with my opinion.

Dear Anon,
Sorry I forgot to mention, BON JOVI performed at the A.M.I. Stadium in Christchurch this year.

Having browsed through the above comments the only conclusion I can draw is that the Settle area is still the same as when I left two weeks aftter my a-levels.

It is such a shame that this festivalhas been canceled yet again, but no suprise. Settle is a small town, and abounds in small thining. Anything considered 'other' is reviled and spurned. Do people not realise that this unchanging cycle of monotony is what drives the young from the area? Personally I left as soon as I possible could, and have no intention of returning to live in the area.

Whilst the nay sayers points seem petty at times, I feel I must say that cries of ofcumdens and the well heeled really do nothing to further the supporters cause. If people did not move into the area there would be very little left. Influx is vital to support such a community, and where does this assumption that every one in Settle is a working class hero originate?

With regards to cries of drug addeled rampagers tearing apart the market square; pejudice and misunderstanding. Having run club nights in London and having attended many festivals I can assure you this is not the case. I cannot deny that drugs are taken at these festivals, but if you have not been to such an event you really have no grounds to judge the impact.

Concerns have also been raised about the acts booked and their relevence to a younger audience. Again a misjudgement of contmporary tastes is evident. These bands are regarded as classic acts, and young people will most certainly want to see them.

In conclusion I can only say how disappointing I find it that the local authorities cannot see a viable way of satisfying local residents on both sides of the arguement, but knowing the mindest of those form Settle I fear this is an impossibility.

Edward,
Thank you very much.
You have seconded my every feeling towards Settle, however you have done so in a much more educated way.
Budgie

I went to Giggleswick School, and I have to say settle is just limbo on earth. I really wish this festival went ahead but the sad reality is that the town is just full of geriatrics and NEDs the only way you can get a festival there is wait until the zimmers are pushing up the daisies and the neds have all crawled back to the derelict farmhouses from whence they came. As for the rest of them (ie the ones who would love to have their house in yorkshire life/horse and hound) the only thing they will listen to is the sound of silver. Line their pockets and you will get your support!

budgie wrote:
Dear Anon, Sorry I forgot to mention, BON JOVI performed at the A.M.I. Stadium in Christchurch this year.

Ooh, go you! Anyway, I don't know what you're so smug about, we had the pink floyd tribute band once. so ner

actually, can I just say - this 'settle bashing' thing is getting out of hand. Everyone seems to have forgotten who the real enemy are: you know who you are residents of RATHMELL and others! Settle town council APPROVED the festival, as did a number of businesses and outspoken councillors such as Beth Graham. It was the surrounding small parishes which went against the idea - ie Giggleswick (take heed Ryan), Rathmell, Wigglesworth etc etc. Settle is NOT to blame, we're the victims here.

What ageist and pathetic comments from some.
People over 50 do have some rights in this country and there are areas where their wishes should prevail.
They have spent years working for the right of youth to have its say, but you are not ALWAYS right.

That's assuming that everybody over 50 doesn't want the festival to go ahead. There are people of all ages who support this festival, not just the 'youth', although I know it's so easy to blame us for everything.

Anon,
Tribute bands are ten-a-penny in Christchurch alone and can be seen at pubs and clubs all week long.
Sorry, but Settle is still a dead hole to me.

As a festival goer I can simpathise with Mark and the organising commitee, I can also see the fears of the objectors. Maybe you aimed a little high, 20 thousand, if thats correct is quite a large event. Small village festivals all over the country do very well with ticket sales of around 5000. These offer a chance for local artists to get a much needed audience and also give the doubters a chance to witness what are usually fun and entertaining events. You can always grow. Take a look at Cleckheaton Yorkshire or Weaton Aston Staffordshire, these go off in the village centres with no hassle and offer music from folk to metal and have Morris dancers hand in hand with modern street entertainers. The Fairport bash has been going on in the centre of picture post card Cropredy Oxfordshire for years and is probably the only thing keeping the two pubs afloat. Hope you go to appeal but think you should consider down sizing as a compromise. Good luck and keep music live.

A real shame that this event has been turned down again!! Yet again the local old dear council have ruined any chance of keeping the younger generation in Settle as with their decision to turn down affordable housing in Settle for young couples because it may spoil the view of the Settle Loop! Mind you if the very un-christmassy turning on of the Xmas lights was an indicator of what the festival would have been like....

As a regular festival attendee and someone who knows the area I have read the preceding debate with a great deal of interest. I only found out about the event by accident and would have been interested in going had it not coincided with another small festival in Cumbria.

What strikes me about the argument is that it all smacks of 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other.

The festival organisers don't seem to have done sufficient groundwork locally for the application. For example, was local opinion canvassed about the festival? Perhaps if those in the immediate fesitval environment had been consulted their concerns could have been allayed. Obviously people in a quiet rurual area are going to be worried about several thousand people turning up on their doorstep - were they offered security to ensure people aren't misbehaving offsite as well as on as locals at Glastonbury are?

Traffic management - was a shuttle bus considered to allow people to travel by train rather than driving to the event?
As for the objectors, clearly they don't know much about this kind of event and are making a large number of assumptions.

While the attendees will largely spend their money on site, many people attending these events like to take the opportunity to go off site and see what the local area has to offer. They may extend their weekend and stay on in local campsites or B&B's.

Those arriving in vehicles will fill up in local petrol stations, stop at local shops to get provisions and so on. Individually the amounts spent off site will not amount to much, but times it by the number of attendees and the money will be a welcome addition to the local economy.

People also seem to be making rather sweeping generalisations about the nature of the attendees. The majority of us who like to go to these events are educated, hold down responsible jobs, care about our environment and respect our neighbours. Some of them (gasp!) may take recreational drugs, but are capable of doing so without turning into crazed zombies intent on wreaking havoc. For most of us this type of event is an excuse to let our hair down for a few days outside stressful working lives. It isn't an excuse to rape & pillage & recruit new victims to a life of drug fuelled crime and disorder.

Those objecting to the possibility of a lot of dilapidated caravans & campers travelling to the event obviously haven't travelled much on th A65 where these vehicles are a routine obstruction to free flowing traffic.

Of all the festivals in held in the UK every year, the vast majority (including the largest of them all, Glastonbury) are held in rural areas where transport links aren't necessarily very good or local facilities adequate, and yet they manage, despite the best attempts of local objectors to find any means possible to prevent them occurring. The vast majority of them pass without incident and without the need for massive police presence. Children attend with their parents and have a great time. Local musicians and traders benefit from the chance to gain a new market.

I suggest both the festival organisers and objectors visit other events of this type and scale and see how things can and should be done, and then maybe Yorkshire can have another fine event to add to its calendar.

Tall Guy.Many like yourself miss the point.The agenda was to get an open ended licence in perpetuity sell it on for £500000 to caterer or brewery sail off into the sunset and have a nice day.Also a 2 person as directors of limited company to milk it big time.Community focussed they are having a laugh.If it was a charitable trust more local support and credibility.Still its keeping us all amused.

Beware if you live in Clapham N Yorks the festival you have is about to be hi-jacked by settle festival co for permanent licence to increase capacity etc in perpetuity.You have been warned.

Just seen this .. with the last 2 posts and it is laughable ...


I am the organiser behind the Settle Festival, and would just like to point out that "Realist" by his own posts has proven himself to be a complete liar .... He makes the tales up ... or listens to our opposition ... and actually believes them .......

only 3 people actually read the plans submitted for the festival.. yet we have so many people willing to spout on, believeing the lies that one or 2 people started .... ho hum .... rise above it ....

Well done Realist on exposing yourself as a liar .....

Beware if you live in Clapham N Yorks the festival you have is about to be hi-jacked by settle festival co for permanent licence to increase capacity etc in perpetuity.You have been warned.

did this transpire...?

Liar Liar Liar

ho hum, back to trying to help with community events ....

any support welcome .. mark@settlefestival.
co.uk

mark

Just a response to Tall Guy as well,

yes, massive public consultation took place,over 3-6 months .... with open meetings, drop in sessions and the ability to arrange private meetings .... also, my contacts are freely available ..


similarly, buses from the trains were sorted, within the professionally contracted transport plan ..!!

we have been in liason with all authorities over the last 18 months - or more, now , and are happy to work with them ..

hope this helps you to see that it is a well planned event

mark

anon wrote:
Budgie, Christchurch in new zealand is hardly a vibrant, buzzing metropolis now, is it?! New Zealand, a beautiful lovely friendly country, only has a population of 4 million... 3 million of whom live in the north island. If you think Christchurch 'has it', maybe there's hope for Settle too

Anon, Sorry to bring up our old debate, but this week my Woman and I have got our tickets to see STEVIE WONDER, , in concert in Christchurch on the 28-10-08. We are not going to see The Eagles, , next month.
I would like to requote myself here. " Settle never had it and never will".

Just got back from Solfest which was sited in the most beautifal part of the lakes district. We stayed the night before in workington and bought all our supplies at the local shops to save bringing everything in the car. We tidied as much rubbish as we could when we left and an expert team of litter pickers finished the job. The roads into the festival wereextremely narrow country lanes but there was no complaints from residents and we were greeted with open arms and friendly attitudes wherever we went.

I would have loved that to have been settle but unfortunatley we had to go elsewhere instead.

As another late august passes constant factors remain:

No festival

Floods on the Rathmell road and flooded land on the festival site
(third year running)

Hope the organisers/sole director have been to witness what might have been, still always next year?