Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has joined forces with a group of MPs calling on the Government for more support for festivals.
During a parliamentary debate on Tuesday (23rd March) Mr Seely called on Culture Minister, Caroline Dinenage, to lobby the Treasury to support a reinsurance scheme.
The Island’s MP argued that a Government-backed reinsurance scheme would enable festival organisers to plan with confidence. He said:
“Festivals are year-long endeavours; as soon as one festival is finished, those involved are already planning next year.
“Given the long lead times, we need to help, and we need to give confidence to festival organisers, so that they know that their work will not be wasted.”
Mr Seely went on to explain the importance of festivals to the Island’s economy:
“The Isle of Wight is effectively Britain’s festival island; we are home to a new festival almost every weekend.
“Festivals contribute significant value to the Island’s economy, although their value is wider than just economic. They support extensive supply chains, local businesses, equipment hire and similar areas of the economy. They also support the Island’s visitor economy, such as shops, bars, restaurants and accommodation, and they also help local farmers to diversify their incomes.
Article continues below this advertisement “The funding and spend of almost all the smaller independent festivals also go directly into the local economy, employing hundreds, if not thousands, of people. As well as an economic impact, they also have a significant cultural impact on the Island.”
Mr Seely said a reinsurance scheme would help to kickstart festivals which he said were important for the economy but also for people’s mental health.
Speaking afterwards he said:
“I know that the Minister fully understands the situation faced by this industry because she and I met with Isle of Wight festival organisers. I am confident that she is keen to support them and I know she will work with the Treasury to find a solution.”
I can sort of see what Bob’s saying but surely it would be madness to have festivals this year. The Island and its inhabitants need to be protected.
Bob is having his palms brushed with silver on this, why else would the wannabee Eton chap be putting his consituants at risk. Maybe Giddings as got him some VIP passes so he can pop back stage before he goes back to his offixe at Northwood house to chillout and calculate his expences.
I can see where he is coming from but Islander’s health and safety must come before profit. Leave it till next year when things may be better.
Half Sausage, is between a rock and hard place he needs to boost this years economy for the Island, the government medical adviser has said this Pandemic is not going to go away this Summer and we are to expect a third wave this Summer which could be worse that the last two , Holding a Pop Festival on the Island will not help the Health and safety of Islanders. the Vacinne is only a Temporary measure so we should not rely on it for our total safety .
Why have we bothered to try and keep safe then see thousands and thousands of people flock here to a festival where there will be no social distancing at all and people will get drunk and not care what they do.
for 4 days in September. 700 or 800,000 will come here over the summer months, in pubs, restaurants, shops all indoors.. what will you do then Steve?
But they won’t be huddled together in a field will they
No huddled inside in pubs and clubs instead, day after day after day. Outdoor huddles are far safer, it has been proved. 50,000 most from the mainland, most stay within the field for 4 days. Tourists, all over the Island for a few months. All pubs and restaurants open from 17th May, all nightclubs open from 21st June All indoors. All adults vaccinated by September.
I was going to give it is a miss this year but if you cant beat them… the clubs on the island are a bit sh%t. Does anybody know what the line up is for the festival this year? Any 80s bands?
Yes. Most of them over 80.
Suck it up and hope for a better 2022.
Getting off their heads licking each other faces having tearups and spreading the variants. Oh well thats Christmas and new year 2022 down the swany.
Ive worked at i.o.w festival for the last 5 years and I can tell you on here it will not be going ahead, we set up all the sounding and backstage setup and have been told its highly unluckily it will happen this year.. sorry people :/
That appears to be good news only a fool would promote a pop festival midst a pandemic .
Over 15 festivals around the UK before the IOW Festival. Lot’s of fools eh? Maybe not.
Got to let your hair down now and again, especially whilst those of us have still got some to let down. Life is for living!
Snap out of it Terry, your all doom and gloom today. Just calm down mate, have a biscuit.
Ah dammnit. Wish i had read this post first before getting all excited.. ffs.
Nobody likes a show off
once again my mail has been taken down i wonder why
Personally I don’t care if island echo print my comment. Bob Seely to actually go on record to promote this festival just proves that he is putting money before the islands health. At these times it would prove to be a medical disaster unless every person be it any performer or people from the mainland and island attending can prove to be Covid negative . Yes I would love to see the festival back but NOT this year. This guy is our elected MP and should be more concerned about our welfare.
I agree, Glastonbury has been cancelled this year , so we should do the same , there is no real way of proving Covid Negative the Vaccine at the moment seems to be a Temporary solution , it appears to be working well , but we should not be complacent this virus mutates so the vaccine might not work on some mutant Covids , We will get an on slaught of Holliday makers which will help the economy , with whom we will be able to self isolate instead of being crushed together in a field .
Glastonbury have applied to have a 2 day event with camping in September.
I was gonna say that. Get youre facts right guys .. there are festivals going ahead albeit small scale managed. Giddings will never get anywhere near 50,000 people and he knows it like the rest of us. Be lucky if its 10000 20000 over 4 days. You dont have to go, think of the economy guys come on!
Its quite a big field Tel
I agree with the small festivals around the Island bringing in monies to their surrounding area, but NOT with the Isle of Wight Festival at Newport. Only ones that gain for the festival is the Council.. Newport Town and the Ferries and buses… some to Taxi’s…
It i the biggest con going… I have no idea why, so soon the Government would insure it, just think, over 50,000 people in that small area, no distancing…lots of drugs and alcohol… and Covid !! NICE ??
Sounds like my kind of parrrrty. Wont be anywhwre near 50000, dont believe the giddy hype!
A recipe for herd immunity , count me in budd