Abertillery Blues Festival 2014 cancelled
Media statement from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council:
“Blaenau Gwent Council is facing an unprecedented financial challenge in light of reduced funding settlements from the Welsh and UK governments and, in total, has to find savings of £20million over the next three years. Leisure – like all council departments – has had to look long and hard at what services it can continue to provide.
With this is mind, the difficult decision has been made not to hold the Abertillery Blues Festival this year. However, it is hoped that future festivals will be organised and there is already work taking place to try and secure funding from outside sources for 2015. The Executive Committee recently approved a decision to transfer the running of Blaenau Gwent’s Leisure and Cultural services to a non profit distributing organisation (Trust) by June this year. It is anticipated that this Trust will be in a more favourable position to secure grant funding and sponsorship for events such as this.
We would like to thank everyone for their support in making Abertillery Blues Festival a huge success and a key date in the UK music calendar. We continue to support an exciting Blues music programme in Blaenau Gwent at both our venues in Beaufort and Abertillery – please check the Blaenau Gwent Venues website for upcoming gigs”.
