FOLK fans have reasons to celebrate as the legendary Village Pump Folk Festival has been handed a reprieve.

Former festival director John Alderslade announced at the end of last year’s event that the festival had been placed into voluntary liquidation because of falling ticket sales and a dwindling team of volunteers.

But a group of loyal Village Pump enthusiasts have formed a new committee, and have exciting plans to put on a smaller version of the festival this summer, with just one stage.

Darren Field, marketing manager for the new event, said: “We all felt that the Pump was such a great event and was much loved by so many people that we couldn’t let it finish.

“This year’s event will be both a taster to more great things to come in 2018 and a cracking weekend for folkies, musicians and campers alike.

“It’s going to be something the people of Wiltshire can enjoy for a number of years to come.

“It will be a smaller event this year with one stage instead of the three people are used to, with plenty of opportunities to get involved including workshops and open mic sessions.

“Plans for the future of the festival will keep all that is good about the original format, but will bring it up to date and appeal to a broader audience with a number of changes.”

This year’s smaller event will be called ‘Priming the Pump will be’ and will aim to raise funds for a bigger event the following year, which will be more akin to the Village Pump as revellers know it.

Its founding members are Charlotte Chatfield, Jean Chatfield, Rosemary Waters, Jerry Gale and Ann Hartley, who have all been involved in the festival in some way – some for decades.

The new event is set to be held at the White Horse Country Park in Westbury between July 21-23.

The Pump first ran in 1974, when tickets were just £2.50, and has spanned three different locations since then.

Contact Mr Field on 07818 043835 for more information.