Bray Summerfest Cancelled

zoobizoo

From the Wicklow Voice:

The Bray Summerfest committee have released the following statement this morning:

“There has been much political, public and media debate around the future of Bray Summerfest following the decision taken by Bray Municipal District councillors at a meeting held on Monday 23 March to reduce the Summerfest Fun Fair from 24 days to 15 days from 2016 onwards.

“At the very outset, Bray Summerfest has clearly stated that it recognises and agrees that Council members have the right to govern local government affairs, including its duty to frame policy around the use of community assets such as Bray Seafront. However, good policy framing should take place in a context where all stakeholders are engaged and consulted with in advance of final policy decisions being made.

“Regrettably this was not the case in this instance. This Council decision on 23 March was made without any prior consultation with the Committee of Bray Summerfest and the Committee had no prior knowledge that such a decision was being considered.

“In the subsequent weeks the Summerfest committee has sought to engage with the Council and individual members in an attempt to resolve this matter. We have also sought to publicly set out the impacts the decision will have for the Summerfest and clarify some of the statements which have been made through the debate that has followed.

“Some elected representatives have sought to use this debate to make claims around the transparency in the management and governance of the Summerfest, in particular around our management of the event’s financial affairs. It is important to note that despite claims to the contrary from some Councillors, the Committee has never received any request for financial information or accounts from any elected member. Nonetheless, in the interest of clarity, we have supplied all Councillors with a detailed presentation on the festival, the fun fair tendering process and four years of financial accounts.

“The morale of volunteer body that works every year to deliver the Summerfest event has been severely impacted by the unsubstantiated claims and innuendo made by individual councillors in recent weeks. These claims have caused untold personal hurt and stress for each volunteer. Political claims should not be made at the personal expense and welfare of individuals.

“The team behind Bray Summerfest has always been committed towards delivering a brilliant free-to-attend festival event for the community and for visitors to our town. We are acknowledging the decision of the Council made on 23 March, we are putting the personal hurt of recent weeks behind us, and we are focussing now on doing what is best for our town and that will continue to honour the spirit of the community festival founded over 30 years ago, albeit in changed financial circumstances.

“At a meeting this week the Bray Summerfest Committee agreed that to apply for an event license to provide this year’s Bray Air Display and the Festival Funfair. As the Summerfest’s landmark event we believe the Air Display is hugely important to the people of Bray and to the local economy. It is the county’s flagship tourism event welcoming over 80,000 people annually to the town. Our focus is on ensuring the delivery of the Air Display for this year, and on beginning now to grow this important event for future years.

“As a consequence unfortunately we cannot provide a full 4 week festival programme this year however we believe the financial viability of the Air Display over the next two years is of paramount importance and is in the wider public, economic and community good.

“We would like to thank all our suppliers, sponsors, and the people of Bray for all their support these recent weeks, and throughout the last 34 years, and we look forward to continuing to welcome thousands of visitors to Bray this July.”

Bray Summerfest Committee

WeleaseWoderick

I'd like to know why this year's festival is being cancelled if the restriction on the funfair isn't in place till the following year?

While I have sympathy with the organizers that they could have been consulted before the Council's decision, I can understand the reasoning behind the shortening of the funfair license as it does impact massively on local residents along the seafront.

I would have thought that a scaling back of the festival based on the decreased funding would have been a better solution than completely cancelling it.

I would also suggest that if the Summerfest does in fact bring a lot of money into the local economy, that some of the businesses that benefit the most from this could make up some of the shortfall from the lost Funfair revenue.

WildHPR

I live close enough to the seafront to be impacted by the overspill from the Summerfest. I do however think that it is a very worthwhile venture with a significant community element.

It is unfortunate that the usual local politicians (and notably, not all the local politicians), have most unfairly questioned the festival. The funfair element of the festival is part of the financial engine that funds the community elements.

If the same local politicians had the true interests of the amenity of the esplanade they would ensure that there is adequate litter collection, dog fouling is eliminated and the the promenade lights are repaired promptly. These mundane matters seem to escape their attention.

zoobizoo

WeleaseWoderick wrote: »

I'd like to know why this year's festival is being cancelled if the restriction on the funfair isn't in place till the following year?

The reason to cancel this years festival is to protect the airshow in 2016. The festival gets €76,000 for 23 days of funfair and so with only 15 days of a funfair for next year it will only be able to get €35,000. The airshow cost €50,000 to produce therefore the committee aim to insure they can fund the air show in 2016..... these figures were all provided to the council

B0jangles

Previously it was said that Summerfest brought around 8 million euro to Bray businesses - I find it hard to believe they'd be willing to let that go to avoid contributing a measly 15,000 euro between them.

Annasopra

I think the insinuation of financial irregularities was franky disgusting and outrageous

zoobizoo

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I think the insinuation of financial irregularities was franky disgusting and outrageous

Particularly when the councillors who voted to reduce the funfair had never asked to see the accounts. The statements put out by certain councillors said that the committee had been asked for accounts which is not the case according to the council administrative officer who looks after the accounts for the festival.

When ones honesty and integrity are being called into question by elected officials, you'd have to wonder why people would volunteer their time and energy.

SparkySpitfire

It's not cancelled- the only thing not going ahead this year is the market as the special licenses for that are too expensive to acquire this year.

All the bands for the seafront are still booked, the air show is still happening and as far as I know there will still be a (shortened) funfair.

All of this furore is a stunt.

zoobizoo

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

It's not cancelled- the only thing not going ahead this year is the market as the special licenses for that are too expensive to acquire this year.

All the bands for the seafront are still booked, the air show is still happening and as far as I know there will still be a (shortened) funfair.

All of this furore is a stunt.

What special license would be needed for the food market? I don't think it costs money to apply for licenses.

Also, wouldn't it be included in the overall event license?

Are you saying that the bands are booked for all four weekends?

WeleaseWoderick

zoobizoo wrote: »

The reason to cancel this years festival is to protect the airshow in 2016. The festival gets €76,000 for 23 days of funfair and so with only 15 days of a funfair for next year it will only be able to get €35,000. The airshow cost €50,000 to produce therefore the committee aim to insure they can fund the air show in 2016..... these figures were all provided to the council

Do you know if there was any attempt made to look at alternative funding?

I'd also assume that whatever funding that would usually be provided in addition to the Funfair would have still been available this year?

SparkySpitfire

zoobizoo wrote: »

What special license would be needed for the food market? I don't think it costs money to apply for licenses.

Also, wouldn't it be included in the overall event license?

Are you saying that the bands are booked for all four weekends?

I'm saying that we've all heard different stories from different people and about 10000 different versions of it on feckin Facebook! Everyone is of the opinion their version is Gospel so I'm offering mine into the mix.

This is a version I got from someone who spoke to a person on the booking side of things...can't get more specific.

You'd have to look up the license rules yourself.

SparkySpitfire

WeleaseWoderick wrote: »

Do you know if there was any attempt made to look at alternative funding?

I'd also assume that whatever funding that would usually be provided in addition to the Funfair would have still been available this year?

They were offered a fund and the lead organiser refused it.

zoobizoo

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

This is a version I got from someone who spoke to a person on the booking side of things...can't get more specific.

You'd have to look up the license rules yourself.

I have looked it up.

The event license covers everything so you're wrong on your facts there..... also, it doesn't cost anything to apply for a license.

Can your "someone who spoke to a person" confirm that there will be four weekends of entertainment?

SparkySpitfire

zoobizoo wrote: »

I have looked it up.

The event license covers everything so you're wrong on your facts there..... also, it doesn't cost anything to apply for a license.

Can your "someone who spoke to a person" confirm that there will be four weekends of entertainment?

I'd be interested to see where you found the info, I couldn't find anything online myself to see either way.

They said "all the bands are still booked", so whether that's 2 weekends or 4 I don't know - but 2 weekends is not "cancelled".

Seriously think this a stunt, if I could bet on it in Paddy Power I would.

sallymomo

Last year I commented to a few friends and neighbours that there was a good buzz about the town both during and after the festival. I may have even commented on it on here somewhere.

Looking at this thread and the other one about the festival I'm very disappointed with the approach of certain people and politicians. Whilst plenty of people such as Bojangles have reasonable grievances re funfair noise etc, I think the summerfest committee have reduced the days in recent years and the amount of the bigger, louder machines whilst working within financial constraints.

Re the comments made on the funfair "attracting the wrong people"; Bray has this problem all year round, funfair or not it is an issue for all beach spots on the dart; well documented occasions in Howth and Portmarnock come to mind.

Local Politicians; namely Councillors Brady and Matthews - humour me and thousands of others in our great town; can you please make suggestions or come up with your own ideas for generating positivity in Bray. All I ever read are negatives, no plans for job creation, no plans for generating commercial business etc etc
You have publicly questioned the financial status of a volunteer run event (s) and stated that you havent received accounts but that the festival could be run at a profit with less days - what exactly are you basing this on if you havent seen accounts????
You are seeking transparency; in the interests of transparency can the summerfest committee be provided with the "1200 name petition"

Once again, the elected politicans and a number of protestors are keen to bring Bray down. This town has enough negatives at the moment without the people who are supposed to be running it, deciding for whatever personal agenda they have going on, to worsen the situation.

I do agree that a certain percentage of businesses in the town benefit from the summerfest, but to me, thats better than none. That's without taking the positive national coverage the town gets.

Don't get me started on people creating accounts to post on here or using dormant accounts...

As pointed out earlier, the treatment has been disgusting.

Also, to the poster who thinks it is a good idea to add to the thousands of facebook rumours by adding their own, that's not mature, at all. By all means state your opinion but dont fuel more rumours with unconfirmed reports. If there are bands booked for weekends, great, but judging by the recent summerfest statement, they were not done by the summerfest committee.

I am disappointed with the town I have spent my whole life defending.

SparkySpitfire

zoobizoo wrote: »

I have looked it up.

The event license covers everything so you're wrong on your facts there..... also, it doesn't cost anything to apply for a license.

Can your "someone who spoke to a person" confirm that there will be four weekends of entertainment?

Actually, on top of that you titled the thread "Bray Summerfest Cancelled" which just adds to the confusion going on at the minute. The press release you quoted doesn't say as such, instead it says:

At a meeting this week the Bray Summerfest Committee agreed that to apply for an event license to provide this year’s Bray Air Display and the Festival Funfair. As the Summerfest’s landmark event we believe the Air Display is hugely important to the people of Bray and to the local economy. It is the county's flagship tourism event welcoming over 80,000 people annually to the town. Our focus is on ensuring the delivery of the Air Display for this year, and on beginning now to grow this important event for future years.

So there you have it, it's going ahead but it's been shortened. The only thing missing is the market.

sallymomo

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

I'd be interested to see where you found the info, I couldn't find anything online myself to see either way.

They said "all the bands are still booked", so whether that's 2 weekends or 4 I don't know - but 2 weekends is not "cancelled".

Seriously think this a stunt, if I could bet on it in Paddy Power I would.

A stunt??? Really? for what gain?? That is some claim to make..

SparkySpitfire

sallymomo wrote: »

Also, to the poster who thinks it is a good idea to add to the thousands of facebook rumours by adding their own, that's not mature, at all. By all means state your opinion but dont fuel more rumours with unconfirmed reports. If there are bands booked for weekends, great, but judging by the recent summerfest statement, they were not done by the summerfest committee.

So everyone's allowed say what they want but I'm not because I won't tell you who said it? :rolleyes:

The pubs book the bands and it's done. Simple as that really.

sallymomo

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

Actually, on top of that you titled the thread "Bray Summerfest Cancelled" which just adds to the confusion going on at the minute. The press release you quoted doesn't say as such, instead it says:



So there you have it, it's going ahead but it's been shortened. The only thing missing is the market.

It says the airshow is going ahead....where are bands mentioned????

sallymomo

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

So everyone's allowed say what they want but I'm not because I won't tell you who said it? :rolleyes:

The pubs book the bands and it's done. Simple as that really.

Read the post, I said you are entitled to your opinion, I just don't think your rumour mongering does any good - you have just posted about the sirshow to back up your point of the summerfest still going ahead.
This is disingenious as the statement says that the airshow will go ahead. That. Is. It. Nothing else

I am not going to get into an online row back and forward over this to be honest. Read the posts and reply accordingly, that applies to press releases.

zoobizoo

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

The pubs book the bands and it's done. Simple as that really.

That is not true. The committee book the bands and have done since the festival started.

You can contact the pubs directly and they will tell you the same thing.

SparkySpitfire

sallymomo wrote: »

A stunt??? Really? for what gain?? That is some claim to make..

All of this uproar is literally just politics. Council members trying to do this and that and people's names being bandied about when really they shouldn't be involved in it at all.

The council made a decision, the volunteer Summerfest Committee aren't happy with it but are doing the best they can with what happened and now every Tom, Dick and Harry has a finger to point and an opinion on what should be done and blah blah blah.

I'm not saying the volunteer committee have created this stunt but the people who play at politics are using the festival as a pawn when it's really nothing to do with them at all.

sallymomo

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

All of this uproar is literally just politics. Council members trying to do this and that and people's names being bandied about when really they shouldn't be involved in it at all.

The council made a decision, the volunteer Summerfest Committee aren't happy with it but are doing the best they can with what happened and now every Tom, Dick and Harry has a finger to point and an opinion on what should be done and blah blah blah.

I'm not saying the volunteer committee have created this stunt but the people who play at politics are using the festival as a pawn when it's really nothing to do with them at all.

I agree with you 100% that it is a stunt, by the elected politicans. Unfortunately everyone else suffers.

SparkySpitfire

sallymomo wrote: »

This is disingenious as the statement says that the airshow will go ahead. That. Is. It. Nothing else

Obviously you haven't read it properly either as it says they have agreed to apply for a license for the funfair also. That's at least two things confirmed to be in motion and that leaves the music (which I would bet my left arm will happen) and the market which probably won't.

zoobizoo

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

All of this uproar is literally just politics. Council members trying to do this and that and people's names being bandied about when really they shouldn't be involved in it at all.

The council made a decision, the volunteer Summerfest Committee aren't happy with it but are doing the best they can with what happened and now every Tom, Dick and Harry has a finger to point and an opinion on what should be done and blah blah blah.

I'm not saying the volunteer committee have created this stunt but the people who play at politics are using the festival as a pawn when it's really nothing to do with them at all.

I agree with you on that Sparky - it's a pity to see certain councillors trying to use the fest (which is non political) as a tool.

Actually, only one councillor is now doing this now issuing contradictory press releases and trying to "save the day" while at the same time giving back handed compliments to the volunteers.

SparkySpitfire

zoobizoo wrote: »

Actually, only one councillor is now doing this now issuing contradictory press releases and trying to "save the day" while at the same time giving back handed compliments to the volunteers.

One thing I will say on that is to keep your eye on the ones who keep quiet, as well as the ones who are communicating with people. Read all you can and look into it for yourself, do some digging. You might find some new perspectives as I did.

zoobizoo

Certainly seems like one party has been mobilised to turn this political and to attack the volunteers.

Annasopra

I found some interesting different perspectives on this alright.

The attacks from a mobilised group of one party against the festival committee are frankly disgusting.

foxy06

Back on now apparently

zoobizoo

No - not back on.

The only events applied for are the Airshow and one night of music

Not four weekends of music, free family events, food weekend, family weekend and all of the other stuff.........

WeleaseWoderick

I see councilor Steven Matthews has posted a statement regarding the whole thing

https://www.facebook.com/notes/steven-matthews-green-party/summerfest/856278557751926

I can't say I know too much about the man but the points he makes seem reasonable enough to me.

Asking for audited accounts is not an accusation of any wrong doing by the committee but would provide a lot more clarity over the finances involved.

B0jangles

I've come across Steven Matthews a few times and he's always seemed to be a very decent and reasonable person and I think the post quoted above make some very valid points.

zoobizoo

Yep, I know him and he is.

In relation this this though the Summerfest aren't a limited company so audited accounts aren't needed (that's the law). If the council put that in as part of their conditions for funding, then why not do that instead. Asking for something to be done rather than insinuate financial shenanigans after the decision had been made might have been a better way to deal with it.

According to the town's finance guy who also sits on the Summerfest Committee, the Councillors never requested any accounts at any time- they have now received them after the decision was made.

Other councillors wanted to hold off on making the decision until the committee had been allowed to make a presentation but the vote went ahead - that info is all in the minutes of the meeting. Again, why not talk to the stakeholders involved - and according to the Use of Seafront policy, the Summerfest committee are stakeholders

Oldlegs

zoobizoo wrote: »

...

According to the town's finance guy who also sits on the Summerfest Committee, the Councillors never requested any accounts at any time- they have now received them after the decision was made.

...

Not sure this is in line with what Steven Matthews is saying on his blog.

"There were a number of other changes and updates. The changes do not come into effect until 2016 and the festival this year remains untouched.
..
The council did not 'cancel' the summerfest ... The committee has not verified that the festival is cancelled....

....
Since 2004 .. asked for accounts and information .... Until the last meeting (March 23rd 2015) these accounts were never provided. The figures presented have generated many more questions that need to be answered.
...
I spoke with the operators and they can set up and make profit in the 15 days.
"

All looks reasonable to me - but maybe his version of events is different to what others people's views of events were.

zoobizoo

The council never requested accounts directly. Maybe it was mooted that 'the accounts should be looked at.

Which operators were spoken to? Could be the operator who used to run the funfair but then lost out on the tendering process over the last number of years as he didn't reach the criteria. That's not just down to money but sound levels, opening times, the types of rides they wanted to bring etc

Also, the new operator has reduced the number of rides by 60% and has not brought in any of the massive rides or put anything beach side of the seafront railings. They have also brought in rides that had been on the seafront 100 years ago...

If the question asked was "can you make a profit in fifteen days?" was asked then the answer would be yes.

If the question asked was "can you make a profit, including giving over x amount of money to fund the free events, the money that is presently given to the Airshow by the present funfair provider, the free tickets for the seafront residents, and provide a cleaning service?" then the answer would have been no.

Oldlegs

zoobizoo wrote: »

The council never requested accounts directly. Maybe it was mooted that 'the accounts should be looked at.

Which operators were spoken to? ....

If the question asked was "can you make a profit in fifteen days?" was asked then the answer would be yes.

If the question asked was "can you make a profit, .... then the answer would have been no.

How much if this is what you surmise vs. what you know actually took place or was discussed ?

I am just trying to get up to speed on what people know actually happened vs. what politicians are claiming took place or vs. what people think may have happened.

WeleaseWoderick

Zoobizoo, you seem to know a fair bit about the Summerfest processes and planning.

Was there any alternatives looked at to replace the funfair shortfall? e.g. sponsorship of the airshow, increased contributions from local businesses, general fundraisers?

zoobizoo

In terms of were the accounts ever asked for - it is a fact that they never were. The administrative officer on the town council staff and who does the books has said that.

In terms of the operators - that's me having a guess at the conversation.... that other operator can and does make a profit from the St. PAtricks DAy festival that comes in for a week but isn't making a large contribution that would be needed to fund a four weekend festival.

zoobizoo

WeleaseWoderick wrote: »

Zoobizoo, you seem to know a fair bit about the Summerfest processes and planning.

Was there any alternatives looked at to replace the funfair shortfall? e.g. sponsorship of the airshow, increased contributions from local businesses, general fundraisers?

Not too sure about that Welease...

I guess if a bucket collection was done at the Airshow it could some money as a fundraiser but the

Local businesses do contribute but there will always be those who don't.

sallymomo

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I found some interesting different perspectives on this alright.

The attacks from a mobilised group of one party against the festival committee are frankly disgusting.

I have been alerted to a facebook page(s) that are out there where the shinnerbot keyboard warriors are being quite agressive in their questioning of one of the members of the committee, the same kind that you will find on other threads on here - never answer a question without a question but when on the offensive they go steaming in. As you say Joey, its frankly disgusting.
From what I have heard, the airshow is on, the funfair and 1 night of music, which means the majority of events are off, market, family events etc. I am not surprised given the online abuse as just 1 reason why people wouldn't be bothered giving up their free time to run events for the town.

As for the accounts situation, it has been highlighted and agreed that the accounts were never asked for before; any spin around this is exactly that, political spin.

I think I won't even follow these threads from afar anymore because its just not worth it.

ps Vote Yes, #MarRef, I will be

zoobizoo

sallymomo wrote: »

I have been alerted to a facebook page(s) that are out there where the shinnerbot keyboard warriors are being quite agressive in their questioning of one of the members of the committee, the same kind that you will find on other threads on here - never answer a question without a question but when on the offensive they go steaming in. As you say Joey, its frankly disgusting.

That's what it's looking like. A piece of information are fed to supporters and then that gets thrown at the committee. That gets rejected so another angle is attacked.

Then they started getting personal - active SF members demanded to see photos of the committee and get the names of all the volunteers.

Now, if you were volunteering and people were demanding to know who you were, making claims about you etc and wanted to know what you looked like, would you bother yer arse volunteering......

zoobizoo

The Summerfest line up is as follows:

Airshow on Sun July 19 - the food market will be there that weekend.
SMASH HITS on Sunday August 2nd - the bank holiday Monday
Fireworks Monday August 3rd.

The Funfair opens on July 12th and runs to Monday Aug 3rd. For anyone looking for a cheaper way to enjoy the funfair, the Summerfest Committee have organised discounted tickets - info available on their Facebook page.

NobodyImportant

Passed the carnival yesterday, the music is practically non existent, i bet the locals are happy with this.

From somebody who lives a road back with kids, it was a TINY bit missed, as in perhaps a little bit of background music (not thumping belgian hard house) to be heard in amongst the rides would be nice. Kinda seemed a little dead without it! (we are never happy eh?).

B0jangles

I live just across the road from it and the lower music volume has really made difference; we can now open the windows without being blasted with endless loops of the same three or four tracks for most of the day

zoobizoo

B0jangles wrote: »

I live just across the road from it and the lower music volume has really made difference; we can now open the windows without being blasted with endless loops of the same three or four tracks for most of the day

So would the locals be happy with 23 days of a Fun Fair next year if the music levels were the same?

B0jangles

zoobizoo wrote: »

So would the locals be happy with 23 days of a Fun Fair next year if the music levels were the same?

I can only speak for myself, but no, I wouldn't. Reducing the volume of the music has reduced the noise level from "unbearably loud" to "still pretty damn loud", since we still have the constant screaming to put up with.

Aside from my personal situation with regards to the noise problem, having the fair there for nearly a full month also destroys the grass every year, the fair operators are supposed to be responsible for restoring any damage done, but this never happens.

This is what it was like after last year:



Also having the fair there makes a good half of the green space unavailable to people to use as a place to sit out, have picnics, play with the kids etc., I personally know a good few people who normally walk on the prom who avoid the place when the fair is there, either because it's noisy to walk beside or because they have to deal with kids wanting to go on rides all the time.

Two weeks seems to me to be a reasonable compromise; any funding shortfall should be made up by the seafront businesses who profit from Summerfest.

WeleaseWoderick

B0jangles wrote: »

Two weeks seems to me to be a reasonable compromise; any funding shortfall should be made up by the seafront businesses who profit from Summerfest.

I'd definitely agree with this. Two weeks is more than fair in my eyes and don't see any reason why the seafront businesses wouldn't make up the difference.

Hopefully with a full year's notice, enough funds can be raised to bring back a bigger Summerfest next year.

hdowney

B0jangles wrote:

I live just across the road from it and the lower music volume has really made difference; we can now open the windows without being blasted with endless loops of the same three or four tracks for most of the day

Yup. I understand this. We had a couple weeks ago a visit from one of the Irish funfairs (not sure if the same one who does the Summerfest or not) and all the associated 'stuff' it brings with

garra

B0jangles wrote: »

I live just across the road from it and the lower music volume has really made difference; we can now open the windows without being blasted with endless loops of the same three or four tracks for most of the day

Likewise I live on sea-front and the reduced decibels from the fun-fair rides and the bands this year are a blessing.

One year I had to suffer the "mighty mouse" from my living-room window.. this was the smallest roller-caster ever made but they used music speakers worthy of the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury, belting out a techno beat with someone shouting "Mighty Mouse" in a Dutch accent, on a loop every few minutes. Along side that you had people gawking in to the livingroom when the ride reached its max height. That literally drove me to despair and I had to move out of the house, thankfully a friend in town was going on holiday and I spent 2 blissfully peaceful weeks in Dublin city centre!!