It is as simple as that! In the future, Stamford can only have a festival like Riverside if the people who support it by attending it pay a contribution towards its cost.

All events are facing significant increases in operating costs. The Government has directed that police forces now have to charge event organisers for their services.

This is having a major impact on events across the country, from village fetes to music festivals.

Health and safety regulations are becoming ever more rigorous and, while this is good for your welfare, there are costs attached to compliance with these.

This year we have had to fence the entire site and add extra security to meet the licensing regulation of not allowing alcohol on to the site.

Products and services now command higher prices than just a few months ago and this trend looks set to continue.

The economic future is more uncertain at the moment than at any time in the last decade. This festival has been relying on business sponsorship to survive and we thank our business partners for their generosity.

However, this year Cummins Generator Technologies has been unable to support us which has left us with a £5,000 deficit. The reality is that there are likely to be fewer businesses in the future who will be able to afford to sponsor the festival.

What about our local councils? Stamford Town Council is a parish council with limited funds. It allows us to use the Meadows free of charge and we apply each year for a grant to help cover our expenses (this year we have asked for £2,500 to cover our insurance costs).

However, in order to raise real revenue for the event there would have to be an increase in council tax which is a politically sensitive issue. As for South Kesteven District Council, arts are one of its lowest priorities and it is unable to support the festival.

So what are the alternatives in this new economic climate? One option is not to have a festival. This is a simple solution.

However, such a scenario would leave Stamfordians without a major highlight of the year. Festivals are important for communities to get together and celebrate. All that would be lost if the festival ended.

Another option is to make the festival more sustainable in itself. In previous years we have raised no more than £1,500 through our donation buckets at the gate.

This represents a tiny fraction of our costs (currently about £60,000).

Instead we need to invest value in the festival itself by creating income through an admission charge to help cover the costs.

The festival would remain a not-for-profit event so there is no possibility of anybody profiting from this admission fee. Instead it would make the festival secure and sustainable for the foreseeable future.

How might the admission charge work? We would encourage everybody to buy tickets online just like a commercial festival: we can only commit to costs if we know we have an income.

In return you will get a ticket which will be exchanged for a wristband on the gate. We are committed to keep the charge as low as possible and let kids in free.

So if you love Riverside and want it to continue, you are going to have to invest in it. Please do so. It will only be a few pounds once a year and in return we promise to give you a fantastic festival that you will not forget!

Martin Smith
Chairman,
Riverside Association of Music and Arts,
Stanley Street,
Stamford