Open Air Business April 2017

outgrew the available space and
required us to move to a larger
open field site.
How did you find applying for
permission to run the event?
From the onset, and to date,
we maintain a good working
relationship with Allerdale
Borough Council licensing
officers. Initially our license
was a Temporary Event Notice
restricting capacity to 499, which
had to include all the artists,
volunteers and infrastructure staff.
We applied to change this to a
premises licence, which is what we
hold now.
How have you planned the
layout of the event?
There is no flat field in or near the
village suitable for staging such an
event, however, with assistance
from the farmer and other local
businesses, we widened the
entrance gates and re-enforced the
uphill access to what is now the
festival arena. A wide span main
stage marquee sits on the flattest
and highest section of the field,
which boasts stunning panoramic
views overlooking the Caldbeck
Fells and Skiddaw, England’s
fourth highest mountain.
“SOURCING
ARTISTS FOR
THE FESTIVAL
IS MAINLY
THROUGH
MUSIC
AGENCIES OR,
OCCASIONALLY,
DIRECTLY WITH
ARTISTS”
How did you research and source
your marquees, bars and other
infrastructure?
From the onset, we chose local
suppliers and have been fortunate
to develop a sound working
relationship with some extremely
professional individuals. They
know how we operate and
understand the nature of our
voluntary community status and
the physical issues we have to
overcome to stage the event.
What entertainment do you offer
and how did you source it?
In relative terms the festival is tiny,
but from an artistic perspective if
fights well above its weight, with
previous headline artists including
Eddi Reader, Kate Rusby, Elkie
Brooks, Seth Lakeman, and Cara
Dillon. This year we have Jon
Boden (ex Bellowhead frontman)
and, from Scotland, Admiral
Fallow.
The festival employs local,
national and international
musicians, and focuses principally
on folk/roots/Americana with a
pinch of blues and jazz thrown in
for good measure. Sourcing artists
for the festival is mainly through
music agencies or, occasionally,
directly with artists.
What provisions do you make for
power, lights and sound?
Sound, light and power, staging,
portable toilets and waste
disposal is contracted from local
businesses. The main stage,
catering units and campsite
lighting is generator powered.
Other venues in the village are selfsufficient,
but do require sound
and stage lighting technicians.
How do you manage admissions
and visitor safety?
Admission is by advance ticket
purchased either by post and
cheque payment or online
through our chosen ticketing
company. Visitors have to
exchange their payment