Frome Festival surpassed all expectations this year as ticket revenues jumped by 25 per cent.
An estimated 50,000 people passed through the town during the ten-day arts festival in July. Creative director Martin Dimery described the numbers as ‘phenomenal’. “Frome showed incredible resilience in the midst of the worst recession in living memory. The record numbers who supported this year’s festival gave the economy an enormous boost. The whole town should feel proud. Frome is home to one of the best community arts festivals in the UK,” he said.
Figures released by the festival board show box office takings soared to £55,000 in 2009, compared with £44,000 in 2008. The balance sheet also shows the registered charity made a modest surplus of approximately £1,000, thanks in part to continued sponsorship from the business sector and local government.
A full financial report will be presented to Frome Festival’s 2009 annual general meeting at the The Masonic Hall in North Parade on Monday 7th December from 7.30pm. All are welcome.
Meanwhile, preparations for the festival’s 10th anniversary in 2010 gather pace. Dimery said he had already confirmed several big names. “I have a good feeling about next year. It’s going to leave a big smile on many faces,” he said. Dimery carries on the work of festival founder Martin Bax MBE, who led seven festivals before stepping down in 2007. Since its launch in 2001, the festival has staged approximately 1,500 events at more than 40 venues in the town and surrounding villages.
Frome Festival 2010 will run from Friday 9th to Sunday 18th July, with workshops, exhibitions, and classical, jazz, folk, film, drama and literary events. View highlights of Frome Festival 2009 in a series of photo galleries at www.fromefestival.co.uk.
