Popular Cirencester Phoenix Festival to make flying comeback next summer

Next year's Phoenix Festival is returning to the Abbey Grounds on 22-23 August 2015 and organisers are calling for help to make it bigger and better than it has ever been.

Glen Moreman and Kelly Leadbeater are taking the reigns of this year's annual smash-hit music festival and are eager to get as many people involved as possible with the third-time event.

Organiser of the past two events, Clare Bartlett has decided to take a step back this year as she is busy planning her wedding. She hopes to jump back in after the big day.

"We want to up the anti and get more people involved," said Glen. "They key thing is working with local people."

"This is a really brilliant event to say you have planned," added Kelly. "There are so many different elements people can get involved in. It could be a brilliant piece of course work or just something to be put on your CV."

Glen and Kelly admitted that to make the festival as big as it was in August, they need to raise £50,000. But some of the grants they applied for this year, are not available again. The epic £10,000 grant the festival received from the National Lottery in August can not be applied for two years running.

"If members of the public want the same festival as last year, or bigger or better, then they need to get involved," added Kelly.

The organisers went on to say they needed volunteers to help in all areas, including stage management, bar work, sound technicians and more.

They have also urged companies and individuals to think of the festival if they ever have a fundraising event such as a cake sale, a craft fair or a sponsored sports event.

"It's so much more than just a festival," added Kelly. "There are many more aspects.The sense of achievement when you close down at the end of event, you can't put a value on that."

Festival meetings are once a fortnight at The Vaults in Cirencester. Email phoenixfestciren@gmail.com to become a volunteer, donate or to find out more.