IT’S a fresh start for a Barrow festival which is returning in a new location under a different team after a two-year hiatus.
Fudstock organisers have announced their annual event will be held at a new venue this year amid efforts to forge a new start for the festival.
The festival started in 2018 to commemorate the life of Barrovian Richard Thorne AKA Fud.
Fudstock supports St Mary’s Hospice, the Ulverston-based charity that cared for Fud in the final weeks of his life, and has raised more than £70,000 to this end over the years.
Fud’s sister and one of the festival’s directors Joanne Firth has revealed the plans in place for this year’s event which will continue her late brother’s dream.
Before the team began planning this year’s event, they were adamant on gaining the consent and support of Chloe Austen and her family.
Chloe sustained life-threatening injuries after a fairground accident at the festival two years ago.
Chloe was in hospital for a total of 90 days and was treated by multiple surgical specialties.
More than £5,000 was raised in the days after a fundraiser was launched for Chloe to help with costs associated with her ongoing care.
READ MORE: Chloe Austin from Barrow injured at Fudstock returns from Royal Preston Hospital
Organisers confirmed there will not be any rides at this year’s event.
“Fudstock would not be going ahead without the consent and backing from Chloe and her family. We couldn’t have contemplated doing another event without their support,” said Joanne, who works at St Mary’s Hospice.
“They didn’t want us to cancel it and said they will be there. We have their 100 per cent support.”
Organisers are hoping to host the festival in a new location pending planning approval.
“We feel it’s a new start in a fresh location with different people involved in the planning this year,” said Joanne.
“Cavendish Park and Barrow Island Community Sports Trust have been incredible, we can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done since day one.
“They understood we wanted a fresh start in a new location. We wanted a location with meaning to Fud himself which Furness Cavaliers Football Club in Rampside Road did.
“We will continue to support Barrow Island community Sports Trust in other ways.”
Joanne said the festival is returning with renewed focus on Fud’s big dream.
She said: “We felt as organisers we needed a break. The first festival was held 12 weeks after Fud passed away and since then it’s been non-stop so two years ago seemed like the right time to take some time out but now we’ve come back ready to focus on the festival and ready to continue Fud’s dream.
“This year the focus is on going back to Fud’s big dream, displaying local bands, artists and different entertainment. We have Laser Lights Alive involved and a variety of venders and activities.
“The response has been phenomenal since we announced our return. We’ve had more messages and offers of supports and people wanting to be involved than we ever had before. It’s been incredible and overwhelming.”
The festival is due to take place on July 15. Tickets will be released shortly when the premises licence is confirmed.
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