“I have read the latest statement issued by the Lib Dem chair of Colne Town Council, Mary Thomas, and whilst to some degree it appears to secure the Blues Festival for at least next year, I feel it raises more questions than it answers.
To start with, Cllr Thomas’ statement that there has been incorrect reporting appears to be at odds with the Town Council’s defence in cancelling the Blues in the press, that can be viewed here: https://www.burnleyexpress.net/.../town-council-defends...
Secondly, Colne Town Council under the Conservatives, was able to successfully improve and maintain a wide range of services and facilities while taking on the delivery of the Blues Festival, by asking its volunteer Councillors to work to help deliver projects, working alongside Town Council Staff, rather than merely delegating the workload to paid staff and officers. It would appear that this is something that the Lib Dem Councillors running the Council are unwilling to do.
Finally, I would like to turn to the substance, or lack of, of what was said about the Blues Festival itself. It appeared to be crystal clear that the Blues Festival, as we know it, will not be delivered in 2022 or beyond. Whilst I agree that the Blues Festival should constantly evolve and improve each year, to substantially change the Festival from a nationally recognised Festival, attracting people from around the country and beyond, to a Summer Music and Food Festival that only seeks to attract a local crowd, is a dismaying step in the wrong direction - particularly after spending thousands of pounds of local taxpayers’ money to establish the successful, widely recognised and award winning, Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival brand.
I would encourage everyone with a view on the future of the Blues to attend the Town Council’s meeting on 12th October at 7 p.m. at The Muni.
This latest disingenuous statement from the Lib Dem chair further confirms to me that the best thing for the future of the Blues Festival is to establish a Charitable Trust, free from politics, to be placed in the hands of local people and businesses, as the best way to protect the Festival for years to come.
Therefore, I feel it is necessary to put forward an emergency motion to Pendle Council and I will post that motion in a separate update following this post.”