exclusive: festival strategic working partnership announced

eFestivals can exclusively reveal that Endorse-It In-Dorset Festival (Cranbourne Chase, Dorset) and Bearded Theory Festival (Ashbourne, Derbyshire) have today announced a Strategic Working Partnership.

Two of the UK's most respected music festivals have announced an official partnership, formalising a working relationship that has developed over the last eighteen months. This non-financial relationship is to be the first such collaboration between two independent festivals in the UK.

The relationship encompasses a variety of areas including Infrastructure, Artist Bookings, Health & Safely, Licensing, Staffing and Promotion, and more. The partnership will strengthen both festivals by ensuring both benefit from each other's expertise and best practice.

Despite their geographical differences, both Endorse It and Bearded Theory Festivals share a common 'traditional festival' ethos: eschewing corporate branding & sponsorship, supporting local industry wherever possible, donating profits to charity, creating a carefree and fun loving atmosphere whilst still maintaining a well run and professional event.

The working relationships developed after Bearded Theory, booked The Boot Hill All Stars who, it later transpired, were fronted by one of Endorse-It's organisers. After making the connection over a pint of ale in the bar, it soon became apparent that they could help each other in various ways that traditionally are kept quiet by what are essentially competing events

Over the time working together mutual support, advice & ideas have been shared between the two, making each event stronger bother as a partnership and in its own right.

"The idea first was mooted roughly five years ago, during a conversation with Neil Greenway of eFestivals", said Flounder (one of Endorse-It's organisers). "He suggested a way forward in the world of huge corporate events, was for smaller independent festivals to work more closely together – The Strategic Working Partnership is a natural extension of this."

Its not only the events themselves that benefit. Savings gained from the partnership can be passed onto ticket buyers, enabling the events to remain cost effective, whilst keeping excellent value for money.

Endorse-It In-Dorset

Friday 6th - Sunday 8th August

Now in its 7th year, EiiD has gone from strength to strength from its humble beginnings in a barn in Dorset. Brainchild of top Dorset Cowpunk band Pronghorn (the band themselves still play a key role in running the festival), Endorse-it has hosted Buzzcocks, Undertones, Alabama 3, The Beat, Lee Scratch Perry, Dreadzone and Desmond Dekker to name but a few.

Set in the beautiful Cranborne Chase – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the festival has a true Westcountry rural feel. All the stages are under canvas (a nod to the 'reliable' British Weather) and EiiD is well known to be one of the friendliest festivals on the circuit.

Ticket prices include three day entry to Endorse it in Dorset 2010 and weekend camping. An adult ticket (over 16 years) is priced at £70, a child aged 11-16 years is priced at £38, with 200 tickets for children aged under 10 years on sale for £2 each (full price £10. There's also a family (2 adults + 2 children) ticket available priced at £210, with a camper van tickets priced at £22 weekend supplement, and car parking priced at £5.

To buy tickets, click here.

Bearded Theory Festival

Friday 14 May until Sunday 16 May

Bearded Theory returns in May 2010 for it's third year of action packed family-friendly fun in the heart of Derbyshire. Thanks to two successive sell-outs, (not to mention a huge amount of international publicity in 2009 thanks to some rather blustery weather), Bearded Theory has firmly entrenched itself as the first 'proper' festival of the season. Headliners past and present include Hawkwind, King Blues, Dreadzone, New Model Army and the Wonderstuff.

An adult weekend ticket is priced at £65, under 16s weekend tickets are priced at £15, weekend tickets for under 12s are priced at £10, and children under 5s are free. Campervan and family tickets have sold out.

Day tickets will not be available this year. Car parking is priced at £5 (No car parking charge will be applicable to anyone that lift shares or has 4 people in the car. The driver will also be given a small gift as an appreciation of thanks from the festival. Please note you will be charged £10 at the gate if you do not have a ticket.) A live in vehicles or caravan pass is priced at £15.

To buy tickets click here.

For further information please contact marketing@lgofestivals.com

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