one off event planned to fill the GuilFest gap

Get Surrey, (here), are reporting that next summer's family friendly GuilFest could be replaced by a one-off festival.

Organisers of the music festival for the last two decades had some of the worst weather experienced in its history this summer resulting causing a poor daily walk up worsened by competition from other major live events in the area.

Guildford Borough Council has said it wants to see a family festival in the town in 2013, after the GuilFest company run by Tony Scott ceased trading earlier this year with debts of around £300,000.

Councillor Jen Powell told the news website that two anonymous people had made enquires with the council about plans to hold a festival next year, and that the Council are backing running a one-off event in 2013 to give Mr Scott some time if there was any possibility of bringing back GuilFest in the future.

Councillor Powell is quoted as saying, "I think the main thing is [that] we appreciate Tony Scott and the festival he put on in Guildford for so many years in succession.

"The whole point is that it was a family festival and we are very grateful to Tony for that. We were really upset when the firm went into liquidation.

"What we thought we would do - and we haven't been out looking hard because we don't know whether Tony Scott will be a phoenix rising out of the ashes - having had two people enquire what we were doing, was possibly going ahead next year with a one-off festival, giving Tony Scott a chance to gather himself if there is any possibility for him to get back."

The Council is expected to meet interested parties next month with a view tyo going forward with an event next year.

The three day festival celebrated its 21st birthday this year and featured Olly Murs, Bryan Ferry, Jools Holland & His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Tulisa, Jimmy Cliff, Gary Numan, Candi Staton, Cher Lloyd, Tim Minchin, Chic feat. Nile Rodgers, The Straits, Buzzcocks, The Undertones, Nouvelle Vague, Skindred, Beth Hart, Young Guns, The Wurzels, Ash, ABC, The South, Heaven 17, The Beat, Republica, and many more.

One of the older events, Guildford Live was re-named GuilFest in 2002 and has each year offered a multitude of different musical styles with classic and modern acts, plus entertainment, children's area, art and crafts, and a truly festive atmosphere.

It has been one of eFestivals favourite festivals, and one that we've sponsored since 2002. Organiser Tony Scott told eFestivals that he hopes to bring back the event or another similar one to the area in the future. eFestivals thinks it will be a shame if this festival is lost from the festival calendar.

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