Godiva Festival: Coventry residents to vote on venue

[dutchman]

Residents in Coventry are being asked to vote for their preferred location for this year's Godiva Festival.



The annual free event was cancelled last summer because of conditions in the War Memorial Park at a cost of about £450,000 to the city council.

A scaled down replacement festival in Broadgate went ahead in September despite more wet weather.

The authority now wants the public to choose between the park or city centre as the venue for the three-day event.

The council said a city centre festival would have a main stage in Broadgate, catering for up to 8,000 people at any one time, with other stages in Millennium Place, Ironmonger Row and Shelton Square.

Returning to the park, the home of the event for the past 15 years, has the potential to attract a bigger crowd and would offer more of a festival atmosphere.

Residents have until 20 January to cast their vote.

To vote call 024 7683 4040, text CITY CENTRE or PARK to 07950 081216 or visit http://www.coventry.gov.uk/godivafestival.

[rebbonk]

We could put Mutton's patio to use couldn't we?

[dutchman]

Coventry bands speak against plans to move Godiva Festival to city centre

MOVING the Godiva Festival to the city centre could “destroy” an event that Coventry should be proud of, according to a hotly-tipped local band.

Yesterday the Telegraph revealed that the council could move the festival from the War Memorial Park – partly because of the unreliable British weather which forced it to be scrapped at the last minute last year.

They have launched a public vote to decide the fate of the festival. However, several city bands have spoken out against the plans.

Sean McNulty, from indie-rock outfit Russian Gun Dogs said: “Holding the festival at the Memorial Park is great for the city as a whole.

“Downsizing to a stage outside Primark would destroy one of the things Coventry can be proud of.”

Russian Gun Dogs are already hotly tipped by BBC trendsetters.

Their track Survive made the national BBC Introducing list of picks for 2013, marking them out as ones to watch for the year ahead.

The band performed at Godiva In The Square in September last year.

That event was organised as a smaller substitute for the full festival, which was cancelled at the last minute due to torrential rain.

Sean said: “As great as it was playing in the centre of town, nothing can compare to playing a gig in a big field with thousands of people watching and going mad.

“It’s what most bands at our level can only hope to do.

“The great thing about Godiva Festival in the Memorial Park is it gives local bands an opportunity to do just that.”

Russian Gun Dogs are not the only band to raise concerns about proposals to move the Godiva Festival.

Myke Grimes fronts the band Shockparade, who won the Godiva Unsigned contest two years ago.

That earned them the right to play the opening set on the main stage.

Myke said the space in the Memorial Park gave it a “festival feel”. He said Broadgate could be a great venue, but not in the same way. “It would be a massive shame to lose Godiva from the Memorial Park,” he said.

“I just hope one bad year doesn’t ruin the great run it’s had.

“Watching some free live music in a beautiful park is the main highlight of Coventry’s year.

“It brings the city together in a way no other venue could.”

Mark Rigby played Godiva Festival with Shockparade and was due to appear again last year with his new band Symphony State.

He said it would be a shame if the event moved but he could see both positives and negatives to the idea.

Many local acts have raised concerns that a smaller stage in Broadgate would mean smaller crowds, They fear that means fewer people will hear them play and make it harder for them to build a fan base. This year’s festival will be held from July 5-7.

To vote on the venue call 024 7683 4040, text CITY CENTRE or PARK to 07950 081216, fill out your Coventry Telegraph coupon below or visit http://www.coventry.gov.uk/godivafestival.

[dutchman]

Godiva Festival: Coventry residents vote to keep park venue

Residents in Coventry have voted for the annual Godiva Festival to continue to be staged in the War Memorial Park.

The annual free event was cancelled last summer because of muddy conditions in park, at a cost of about £450,000 to the city council.

The authority asked the public to choose between the park or city centre as the venue for the three-day event.

More than 21,000 voted on the council's website, with 62% voting to keep the festival in the park.

John Mutton, the council leader, said he was pleased there was so much "passion and enthusiasm" for the festival, which has attracted more than 100,000 visitors in previous years.

The event has been staged at the War Memorial Park for the past 15 years.