Godiva Festival to go ahead this July

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Coventry’s Godiva Festival will go ahead this year after the city council again pledged to back it - despite the ongoing climate of swingeing budget cuts.



The annual free music festival, which has been running for 17 years, has been given the green light and will take place in War Memorial Park from July 1-3.

Last year’s festival cost the council £314,000 but is estimated to have had a total economic impact worth £1.7million for the city.

Lee House, senior event manager at Coventry City Council, said: “I’m really proud the city can carry it on.

“It really does help the reputation of the city and gives us something to be proud about and shout about.”

The festival costs more to stage than the council grant alone, with additional funding coming in from sponsors.

It is hoped this year’s event will attract more sponsors than ever before and the organisers have appealed to businesses that benefit to come on board.

Ms House added: We know it is valuable to the city and know it brings in £1.7m in its economic impact to the city.

“That wouldn’t happen if the event wasn’t on, so it would be nice if hotels, other businesses and partners could sponsor us.”

2016 will see the festival enter its 18th year and continue to offer a wide variety of family entertainment and attractions alongside live music and performances.

Last year the festival saw a record-breaking 141,000 visitors attend over the weekend, with the Fun Lovin’ Criminal s, The Wombats and Embrace headlining the main stage.

Other artists who performed at what was hailed by the organisers as “the best festival yet” included JME, Slaves, Don Broco and Coventry’s own Letitia George.

Event organisers have pledged to make this year’s festival even better.

With the city developing its bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2021, this year’s festival is also seen as a key event in terms of showcasing the city’s cultural scene.

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Godiva Festival will go ahead despite wet weather - but don't forget wellies!



The Godiva Festival will go ahead as planned despite recent wet weather, would-be revellers have been reassured.

But organisers have suggested the thousands planning to attend should consider wearing wellies with the soft ground likely to become muddy with more rain forecast over the next few days.

Lee House, event manager at Coventry City Council, said there would be no repeat of 2012 when the three-day free festival had to be cancelled following bad weather conditions.

That cancellation prompted a reshuffle of the festival site with the stage area moved to higher ground and rejigged how vehicles accessed the site - measures which have limited the strain placed on the ground at the War Memorial Park.

Ms House said: “The weather has started to improve and the ground is drying up. We have used ground guards in the areas needed and it won’t be the pristine park it normally is but there are no issues we can’t tidy up after the festival.

“We have to keep building the stages and moving things along and things are coming along really well.”

Over 100,000 people attended the festival last year and similar numbers are hoped for as The Boomtown Rats, The Charlatans and Scouting for Girls headline on Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Ms House added: “I would suggest wellies. If you want that festival feel there’s nothing wrong with wellies to go with your festival outfit.

“It depends on the weather as to if the wellies will actually be needed but, with the ground being as soft as it is, they beat a stiletto heel every time.”

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All booze will be confiscated from bags at Godiva Festival

Police officers are ready to make sure that music fans enjoy this weekend’s Godiva Festival without any trouble.

The annual three-day festival will take place at the city’s War Memorial Park from tonight to Sunday with the likes of The Charlatans and The Boomtown Rats headlining.

And with around 140,000 revellers expected to join in the fun over the weekend, West Midlands Police will be on their toes to ensure that the event goes off peacefully.

Searches will be made of bags at entry points to the festival and anyone trying to bring alcohol in will see it confiscated.

West Midlands Police Chief Insp Kerry Blakeman, who is in charge of the policing operation, said: “The Godiva Festival last year was an outstanding success not only for Coventry but also for West Midlands Police.

“We have a long-standing, excellent working relationship with Coventry City Council and their security firm.

“As in previous years there are search stations and checkpoints to the main festival area where bags will be searched; please don’t try to bring alcohol in as it will be seized.

“As always we would ask that if the public see anything suspicious they report it to security or the police.

“There is plenty of free parking on site; anyone contravening the ‘no parking’ signs could face their car being towed away and a £150 release fee.

“Godiva is a fantastic, fun event for all the family and our policing style is very much in keeping with the atmosphere.

“We will have a police car and police puppies in the family field on Saturday and Sunday – we look forward to seeing you over the weekend for a summer selfie!”

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Scouting For Girls bring three-day party to a close



The Godiva Festival was drawing to a close at a sun-kissed War Memorial Park on Sunday.

Thousands were in attendance as the main arena swelled with families, festival-goers and revellers, ahead of headline act Scouting For Girls from 5.45pm.

Music fans were treated to an array of brilliant bands and musicians - from local talent to chart-toppers.

After Coventry songstress Emma McGann got the afternoon started in style on the main stage, building on a brilliant calendar year which has seen her gain BBC Radio One airplay and win famous fans in the form of Kylie Minogue and Nancy Sinatra, all eyes were on the Rhythm Tent as it was transformed by the UK City of Culture bid.

Local theatre companies thrilled and the best of the city’s music scene was on offer, from The Tin favourites Callum Pickard and He Is A Pegasus, to former Morrisons worker and upstart rap artist Afrojosh.

Sound of the Sirens continued on the main stage as organisers from Coventry City Council maintained their canny knack for creating stellar line-ups, before a three-pronged indie attack of The Pigeon Detectives, Milburn and Scouting for Girls rounded off the three-day bash in War Memorial Park.

The show was set to finish at 7pm.

The former were on top form, delivering a masterclass in showmanship and proving indie rock isn’t dead, with hit singles ‘Take Her Back’ and ‘I’m Not Sorry’ among the highlights.

Sheffield band Milburn, meanwhile, continued their re-emergence since their January reform, which helped them shift 10,000 tickets for four sell-out shows in their hometown.

The sun was out in full force as families indulged in the food and drink stalls, with dozens of dogs also in attendance on what proved to be a fitting finale to Godiva Festival, which is now in its 18th year.