Plenty on offer (From Ledbury Reporter)

Plenty on offer

3:00pm Monday 21st January 2013 in News

THE Herefordshire festival scene still has plenty to offer, according to the organisers of a family-run affair.

Nozstock – The Hidden Valley, which started life as a modest party at Rowden Paddocks, Bromyard, attracted almost 5,000 revellers in 2012 and the Nosworthy family hope to build on their most successful year.

Ella Nosworthy, who leads a team of 80 to 100 people with her father Pete to stage the event, said the loss of The Big Chill was a “real shame” but wasn’t overly surprised by the decision. “The Big Chill bought a lot of people, tourism and trade to Herefordshire, it put the county on the map,” she said.

“Holding a diverse, nationally recognised event can only be a good thing. It is hard for any festival to keep going with the way things are at the moment – the costs involved and the sheer amount of competition out there make it difficult for anyone.”

She said the current economic climate could prove beneficial to a festival of Nozstock’s size.

“I think more and more people are turning to the smaller, more intimate boutique events, going for atmosphere and experience over big showcase line-ups.

“We always hope the festival is a success and we put everything we have got into making it memorable. All we can do is hope the public keep enjoying what we are doing.”

This year’s festival is set to run from Friday to Sunday, July 26- 28, with a Wild West theme.

For more information, go to noxstock.com