Views onfestival

After a strong showing in 2010, the Priory Park festival will definitely be back for more over the first two weekends in July.

But just to make sure it delivers exactly what you want, the festival organisers are urging as many people as possible to take part in their survey, available online at www.chichester-rajf.com.

“The more people tell us, the more can we do,” says festival spokesman Stuart Pembery. The survey will contribute significantly towards the thinking behind the 2011 event.

Stuart said he hoped to publish the survey results in February and announce the 2011 bands by Easter at the latest - earlier in the year than usual.

“We are very keen to be more prominent in the Festivities literature.”

As for who the bands might be, it’s far too early to say, except that the Festival will continue with its new two-weekend format, with one weekend offering tributes and the other headline acts.

Stuart stressed that the headline acts will be clear brands, with no room for doubt as to who they are - unlike last year which saw former ELO members performing for legal reasons under the name The Orchestra.

“We need to be totally clear who the headline acts are. We are also trying to get best value and to fit in with existing bands’ tour schedules.”

All of which underlines the importance of responding to the survey.

“From a festival point of view, we are alive and kicking and we will be happening in 2011. There always has to be a doubt in any business.”

It’s event with an annual turn-over of a quarter of a million pounds.”

New for next year, the organisers are keen to speak to anyone who might be able to use the tent in the week between the festival’s two weekends: “It would be for anything that does not require amplification. We think that’s a nice way of defining the guidelines around the kinds of events we would be happy to put on.”

Get in touch via [email protected]. Stuart is also keen to give away tickets to charity.”

Email [email protected] with your request.