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Spalding Festival breaks attendance records raising £50k for charity with headline acts Liberty X, The Hoosiers and Abz from Five




A beer and music festival had a record turnout of visitors and raised around £50,000 to donate to charitable causes.

Spalding Festival took place across three days at the Castle Sports Centre with headline acts The Hoosiers, Liberty X, and Abz from Five bringing in the crowds.

Organised by Spalding and District Round Table, with help from Spalding Ladies Circle, this year’s event enjoyed double the footfall — and community groups will now be able to apply for funds raised from the event.

Festival chair Matt Clark soaks up the atmosphere at Spalding Festival. PHOTO: Chris Lowndes
Festival chair Matt Clark soaks up the atmosphere at Spalding Festival. PHOTO: Chris Lowndes

Festival chairman Matt Clark said: “My mantra from the outset has been to create a community festival that represents as much of the community as possible.

“Our experience with the council members and officers has been one of collaboration, ensuring the event runs smoothly for the benefit of the town.

“Our group of guys in the Round Table is one of the strongest we've had in the two decades I've been a member. Their diverse skills, resourcefulness, network, creativity, and work ethic have shone through more than ever this year, making this event possible and ensuring our many challenges were swiftly resolved.”

Spalding Festival Matt Clark and Liberty X. PHOTO: Kat Wakefield
Spalding Festival Matt Clark and Liberty X. PHOTO: Kat Wakefield

The event also featured Ben from Phats and Small alongside fairground attractions plus food and drink stalls.

It was held outside on the centre’s field and incorporated a dance tent supported by Mr Clark’s nightclub XO, with a community stage for newer acts and bands from the area.

Mr Clark said: “It has been brilliant to see both colours from the council in support and volunteering on our 11 bars across the festival grounds.

Helping out on the bar. PHOTO: Chris Lowndes
Helping out on the bar. PHOTO: Chris Lowndes

“Almost every member (of the Round Table) played a key role, for which I am very grateful.”

Coun Jan Whitbourn supported the community stage and councillors Mark Le Sage and Andrew Woolf helped out on the bar.

Liberty X on stage at Spalding Festival. PHOTO: Kat Wakefield
Liberty X on stage at Spalding Festival. PHOTO: Kat Wakefield

A larger entertainment team contributed to the success of the event along with a diverse selection of food stalls.

Mr Clark said: “The festival welcomed diverse faiths and socio-economic backgrounds, providing a platform for a wide range of musicians and artists at all stages of their careers.

“From the Rock School Bus to the main arena.

“The quality of entertainment was the best the town had seen in decades.”

Merrymakers enjoy the festival. PHOTO: Chris Lowndes
Merrymakers enjoy the festival. PHOTO: Chris Lowndes

He also thanked the main sponsors Bakkavor, Springfields, Ark Property Centre, JH Auctions, XO Nightclub, South Lincs Solar, Lucy Loos, and Imaginarium Boutique Bar.

The committee will now wrap up their work on-site and complete the necessary administration, after which funds will be made available for community applications.

Mr Clark said: “Throughout my time in the Round Table, it has been humbling to help such a wide variety of good causes, most of whom would simply fall through the cracks of our benefits system.

“Schools, hospitals, blood bikes, the ambucopter, community groups, end-of-life experiences, retirement engagement projects, and youth initiatives, to name a few, have benefited from the funds we raised at the festival and our successful boxing event prior to that.”

The weather was generally good for the outside festival. PHOTO: Chris Lowndes
The weather was generally good for the outside festival. PHOTO: Chris Lowndes

It is believed that, subject to finding the right locations for the event next year during the Castle redevelopment, the festival will continue to grow in popularity and attendance.

There were more than 1.3 million impressions on the festival’s Facebook page, with dozens commenting that they couldn’t believe this event was really in Spalding.

Mr Clark added: “Again, my sincere thanks to all who have been involved, including sponsors, committee, volunteers, suppliers, district council, and attendees.”

The webpage www.spaldingfestival.co.uk is set to host links to the official photos, and the public are encouraged to post their own, tagging the event on social media.

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