Rhythms of the World Festival is reviewing its business model

Rhythms of the World Festival 2015

Saturday 20th to Sunday 21st June 2015
Hitchin Priory, Tilehouse St, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 2DL, England MAP
£15 a day adults

Daily capacity: 28,000

Organisers of Rhythms of the World festival held annually in the grounds of Hitchin Priory, in Hertfordshire have announced that due to their current financial situation over the last few years are reviewing their business model in order to find some way to be able to hold a ‘traditional’ ROTW festival in 2016.

Due to a combination of inclement weather, a fallow year and change of date, the charitable festival, known for its eclectic line up and inclusivity, is entering its 25th year celebrations under a cloud of austerity.

Rhythms of the World (ROTW) is a registered charity (no. 1090835) led by volunteers. The charity aims to unite communities through the arts by organising a festival of music, dance, art and cuisine from ‘around the World and round the corner’. ROTW is among the largest celebrations of world music and arts in the UK and 2016 will be their 25th anniversary

The established fun, safe and enjoyable community event has revealed (here) that despite their best ever pre-event sales ticket sales on the day this year were much lower than anticipated, resulting in a shortfall against its budgeted income, and so the Charity has following an agreement with it's suppliers worked through the last four months to make payments.

The Charity Trustees have reviewed the Charity’s position and are reviewing their business model to be able to hold a ‘traditional’ ROTW festival in 2016, behind the scenes there are great efforts being made to hopefully see the event able to celebrate it's 25th year. eFestivals will bring you more news on that once we have it.

In the meantime organisers have released a statement which says:

The Charity currently does not have the cash reserves to support the investment needed to put on a big event. The financial risk is not acceptable to the Trustees and they are not minded to expose our suppliers and supporters to the same risk. On the plus side, by working with suppliers and other creditors, we have been able to secure the immediate future of the Charity which is solvent and continues to function.

Over the coming months, The Trustees will continue to explore alternative options for the future direction of the Rhythms of the World Charity and the festival.

Chair of the Trustees, Amy Hopkins, said, "Despite some very prudent budgeting, we have not generated the income needed to meet the costs of the festival.

"We have obtained free expert financial advice to address the situation. Although an agreement has been reached with our suppliers, our ultimate aim is to pay them in full, when possible in recognition of the many years of support that the Charity has received from them.

"Rhythms of the World 2015 was an amazing spectacle and we don't want to detract from that. We would like to thank everyone who got involved - as an attender, volunteer, performer, sponsor, advertiser or trader. We would also like to thank Hitchin Priory once again for hosting the festival. We will do everything in our power to ensure Rhythms of the World has a future in Hitchin, and will be looking into a range of different fundraising options and ways to ensure a sustainable future for the Charity.

"2016 is our 25th anniversary and we would like to mark the occasion in some way. We particularly would like to continue with our Outreach programme. We also need help from all of you to give us your thoughts, ideas and feelings about how you would like to see things go forward.

"All of your opinions matter to us and the more feedback we get, the better informed we will be, so please do email us at trustees@rotw.org.uk with how you’d like to see ROTW move on."

Please show your support for the event!

Organisers are encouraging people who want to support Rhythms of the World in the short term to make a donation to the Charity. You can do this online at www.virginmoneygiving.com and entering “Rhythms of the World’ in the ‘Find a Charity’ box.

Donations can also be made through ‘Easyfundraising’, again, the link to the page is:
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/rotw/

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