Latest news with #LindisfarneFestival
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
North East stories you may have missed this week
A emotional reunion after a pet parrot went missing, two brothers who got caught in a terrifying rip current tell their story and a council struggles to contact about 300 people who had previously reported damp and mould in their are five stories from the north east of England you may have missed this week. How brothers survived rip current surf terror On Saturday 17 May, two brothers got caught in a terrifying rip current at a popular surfing beach in north-east England. Euan, 21, and Andrew, 19, were among the dozens dotting the breaking blue waves at Longsands that hope sharing their experience will save more about what the brothers are advocating for here Council struggling to contact 296 mould-hit homes A council says it is struggling to contact close to 300 people who had previously reported damp and mould in their City Council inherited more than 1,800 reports from management organisation Your Homes Newcastle, which was abolished last the 491 outstanding cases it still had last month, the local authority said it had now attempted to contact each of the residents more about the council's pledge to deal with the backlog in damp and mould here Festival to go ahead after new organiser appointed Investors behind the Lindisfarne Festival in Northumberland have appointed its founder, Conleth Maenpaa, to ensure it goes ahead on the last weekend of decision came after original organiser Wannasee, which was behind numerous festivals in the region, announced it was speaking to liquidators and cancelling other news has been welcomed by ticketholders and businesses, with headliners at the Beal Farm event set to include Armand Van Halen, Doves and The more about the plans for the festival here Lost parrot home after frantic five-day search A pet parrot who only recently started to fly has been reunited with his owners following a frantic five-day an African Grey, who is about five months old, went missing from his home last Thursday, leaving Stephen and Christine Wilkinson Wilkinson said her husband, who has cancer, got her Burt as a companion and they quickly bonded, so it was "total and utter, consuming grief" when he out where Burt turned up here Sting's gift 'future-proofs' kids' access to arts An undisclosed amount of money donated by the singer-songwriter Sting will help sustain programmes for children for the foreseeable future, an arts boss has 73-year-old former Police frontman from Wallsend gifted money to the Baltic Arts Centre in Gateshead but asked that the amount stay chair of trustees Kirsty Lang said the gift was "significant" and would help fund programmes for young people at the venue and provide access to "world class contemporary art to inspire".Read more about how the money will help here Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lindisfarne Festival to go ahead after new organiser appointed
An annual coastal music festival will go ahead despite uncertainty over its organisers, it has been behind the Lindisfarne Festival in Northumberland have appointed its founder, Conleth Maenpaa, to ensure it goes ahead on the last weekend of decision came after original organiser Wannasee, which was behind numerous festivals in the region, announced it was speaking to liquidators and cancelling other news has been welcomed by ticketholders and businesses, with headliners at the Beal Farm event set to include Armand Van Halen, Doves and The Waterboys. Mr Maenpaa, who organised the first eight Lindisfarne Festivals, told the BBC he was "absolutely gutted" when he heard the 10th anniversary of the event might not take place this summer as other events were being axed."Not just for the punters who have grown to love it but also for the hardworking staff and for the volunteers and all the traders and contractors who rely on this," he was approached by the festival's investors, who are also behind Hardwick Festival in Sedgefield, County Durham, to take it over after Wannasee, which ran Lindisfarne last year, started having issues."We can't let something like this go to waste," Mr Maenpaa said. "It's important to everybody and to the region as well'. Bernard Rostron, who has sold ethically sourced goods at his Priya stall since its first year, said the festival's cancellation would have had a big said: "The knock-on is on the people who work with us because they lose a wage, but there's another impact on the suppliers."His store room near Penrith in Cumbria is filled with handmade items of clothing and bags from suppliers in places like Kathmandu and Rajasthan, who rely on his Rostron said four of the festivals he attended last year were not happening in 2025 and there was uncertainty about another four. He said: "Business isn't what it used to be."In Kathmandu, for instance, for one of our jacket suppliers, we are his only European customer now which is quite frightening for him, so that hurts us given that we care so deeply about our supply chain." Avid festival-goer Kevin Cooper reckons he went to 150 gigs and events last year and he would be sorry to not be able to attend home in Burnopfield, County Durham, is testament to his passion for music, the walls lined with CDs, vinyls and gig posters."Pre-Covid there was an explosion of festivals and I think post-Covid there's been a winding down of a number of them," he said he was "very disappointed" when festivals were cancelled. "Things like this damage consumer confidence but I do worry about what it does to the music industry which, while I'm not part of it, is very much a part of my life." Mr Maenpaa said people could have confidence in Lindisfarne going said: "We've got a backer who is very capable of looking after everything. "We've got everything in place - there maybe a few alterations that we don't know about because we are jumping in at the last minute, but we will put everything on and we will have most of the old team back so everything will be absolutely brilliant and we'll make it the best festival we possibly can."Wannasee has been contacted for comment. Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Northern Kin festival cancelled after efforts to save it fail
A festival has been cancelled after attempts to save it did not succeed, organisers Kin was due to take place at Thornley Hall farm, in County Durham, at the beginning of Wannasee Ltd had previously said discussions were under way to preserve the festival after 10 of its other events, including Stone Valley North and Kubix, were cancelled at the end of a social media post on Wednesday confirmed Northern Kin would not be going ahead, despite the team having worked "around the clock" to find a way to run it. "We are heartbroken to confirm that Northern Kin will not be going ahead this year," the post said."The team have been working around the clock the past couple of weeks trying to find a way to run the festival, but despite our best efforts, we are unable to do so."It joins Sunderland's Kubix and Monument festivals, Stone Valley North in Thornley, County Durham, Wannasee Penrith, Wannasee South, Jukebox Sunderland and Jukebox Bingley, Sign of the Times, Stone Valley South and Stone Valley Midlands in being Ltd had previously said it was "not able to continue" with the events and was in discussions with liquidators, but added discussions to preserve Lindisfarne Festival and Northern Kin were under company has been contacted for a comment. Northern Kin previously faced criticism from fans over traffic problems and issues with toilets, water supply and disabled access at its previous site in Ushaw, County Durham. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Popular UK festival attracting thousands per year is suddenly AXED as ‘devastated' organisers release statement
Despite a star-studded line-up, unforeseen challenges led to the heartbreaking cancellation of Kubix Festival DANCE OFF Popular UK festival attracting thousands per year is suddenly AXED as 'devastated' organisers release statement Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUNDERLAND's Kubix Festival, one of the North East's most popular events, has been cancelled, leaving organisers 'devastated.' The festival, which has attracted thousands each year since its launch in 2018, will not take place this summer as planned. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 It started with a bang in 2018, featuring acts like East 17, Peter Andre, B*Witched, and Ronan Keating Credit: Alamy 4 The Dance Arena was also set to feature big names like Basshunter, Darren Styles, and N-Trance Credit: Instagram 4 Lindisfarne Festival and Northern Kin would go ahead as planned Credit: Alamy Held annually at Herrington Country Park in Sunderland, right opposite the iconic Penshaw Monument, Kubix Festival became a major fixture in the region's entertainment calendar. It started with a bang in 2018, featuring acts like East 17, Peter Andre, B*Witched, and Ronan Keating. Over the years, the festival has attracted huge names such as Steps, Sugababes, and Busted, with last year's headliners being the Year 3000 trio. This year's edition had been eagerly anticipated, with reggae legend Shaggy set to headline and popular acts like A1, Louise, Liberty X, and Gareth Gates on the bill. The Dance Arena was also set to feature big names like Basshunter, Darren Styles, and N-Trance. But following speculation about the future of WannaSee, the company behind the event, organisers have confirmed that the festival will not be going ahead this year. On Saturday, Kubix posted a statement on Facebook: "We're heartbroken to confirm that Kubix Festival will not be going ahead this year. "Despite enormous efforts behind the scenes, recent developments have made it impossible to continue," the organisers said, also offering an apology to ticket holders. WannaSee Ltd, the company responsible for Kubix, also released a statement announcing the cancellation of several festivals, including Kubix and Monument Festivals in Sunderland, Wannasee Penrith and Wannasee South, among others. However, they confirmed that Lindisfarne Festival and Northern Kin would go ahead as planned. The statement from WannaSee went on to explain the company's struggles: 'Despite extraordinary efforts behind the scenes to secure the future of WannaSee's events, we've reached a point where continuing is no longer possible. "The impact of a difficult trading environment, combined with a sudden collapse in customer confidence, has left the business unable to recover." After nearly 100 independent festivals over the past 13 years, the company expressed deep regret at its closure. "We are devastated. We are proud of what we achieved and heartbroken to see it end this way," the statement continued. Kubix Festival's organisers ended their statement with a heartfelt apology: "To all of our ticket holders: we are truly sorry. "We understand your disappointment and frustration. Please contact your ticket provider or card issuer for refund information. "Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being part of this journey." The cancellation has left many fans heartbroken, but organisers have promised to do everything possible to refund ticket holders. Many had been looking forward to the festival's return after a successful event last year. With the line-up featuring a mix of pop nostalgia and dance classics, Kubix had become a celebration of fan favourites and an annual highlight in Sunderland's events calendar. It's a difficult blow for the North East, which has long supported the festival. For local businesses and vendors, the news will also come as a disappointment, as Kubix has provided an economic boost to the area in previous years, attracting visitors from all across the UK. The festival's vibrant atmosphere had not only celebrated music but also boosted tourism, with Sunderland becoming a popular summer destination. As fans take to social media to express their sadness and frustration, there are many questions about what led to the festival's sudden axing. Some are hopeful that future editions of Kubix could be revived, but with the financial challenges facing the company, it seems uncertain when or if that will happen. As of now, organisers have assured ticket holders that they will receive refunds and have thanked everyone who supported the festival over the years.
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Popular UK festival attracting thousands per year is suddenly AXED as ‘devastated' organisers release statement
SUNDERLAND's Kubix Festival, one of the North East's most popular events, has been cancelled, leaving organisers 'devastated.' The festival, which has attracted thousands each year since its launch in 2018, will not take place this summer as planned. Advertisement 4 It started with a bang in 2018, featuring acts like East 17, Peter Andre, B*Witched, and Ronan Keating Credit: Alamy 4 The Dance Arena was also set to feature big names like Basshunter, Darren Styles, and N-Trance Credit: Instagram 4 Lindisfarne Festival and Northern Kin would go ahead as planned Credit: Alamy Held annually at Herrington Country Park in It started with a bang in 2018, featuring acts like East 17, Peter Andre, B*Witched, and Ronan Keating. Over the years, the festival has attracted huge names such as Steps, Sugababes, and Busted, with last year's headliners being the Year 3000 trio. This year's edition had been eagerly anticipated, with reggae legend Shaggy set to headline and popular acts like A1, Louise, Advertisement Read more on News The Dance Arena was also set to feature big names like Basshunter, Darren Styles, and N-Trance. But following speculation about the future of WannaSee, the company behind the event, organisers have confirmed that the festival will not be going ahead this year. On Saturday, Kubix posted a statement on Facebook: "We're heartbroken to confirm that Kubix Festival will not be going ahead this year. "Despite enormous efforts behind the scenes, recent developments have made it impossible to continue," the organisers said, also offering an apology to ticket holders. Advertisement Most read in The Sun WannaSee Ltd, the company responsible for Kubix, also released a statement announcing the cancellation of several festivals, including Kubix and Monument Festivals in Sunderland, Wannasee Penrith and Wannasee South, among others. However, they confirmed that Lindisfarne Festival and Northern Kin would go ahead as planned. The statement from WannaSee went on to explain the company's struggles: 'Despite extraordinary efforts behind the scenes to secure the future of WannaSee's events, we've reached a point where continuing is no longer possible. "The impact of a difficult trading environment, combined with a sudden collapse in customer confidence, has left the business unable to recover." Advertisement After nearly 100 independent festivals over the past 13 years, the company expressed deep regret at its closure. "We are devastated. We are proud of what we achieved and heartbroken to see it end this way," the statement continued. Kubix Festival's organisers ended their statement with a heartfelt apology: "To all of our ticket holders: we are truly sorry. "We understand your disappointment and frustration. Please contact your ticket provider or card issuer for refund information. Advertisement "Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being part of this journey." The cancellation has left many fans heartbroken, but organisers have promised to do everything possible to refund ticket holders. Many had been looking forward to the festival's return after a successful event last year. With the line-up featuring a mix of pop nostalgia and dance classics, Kubix had become a celebration of fan favourites and an annual highlight in Sunderland's events calendar. Advertisement It's a difficult blow for the For local businesses and vendors, the news will also come as a disappointment, as Kubix has provided an economic boost to the area in previous years, attracting visitors from all across the UK. The festival's vibrant atmosphere had not only celebrated music but also boosted tourism, with Sunderland becoming a popular summer destination. As fans take to social media to express their sadness and frustration, there are many questions about what led to the festival's sudden axing. Advertisement Some are hopeful that future editions of Kubix could be revived, but with the financial challenges facing the company, it seems uncertain when or if that will happen. As of now, organisers have assured ticket holders that they will receive refunds and have thanked everyone who supported the festival over the years. 4 The cancellation has left many fans heartbroken, but organisers have promised to do everything possible to refund ticket holders Credit: Facebook/Kubix Festival
