Festival still set to go ahead

May 1 2008 by Deborah Rees, Glamorgan Gazette

THE controversial music festival planned for Ogmore-by-Sea is set to go ahead as planned, despite losing part of its site.

Graham David, the farmer who owns a field next to the disused Sealawns Hotel, has withdrawn permission for his land to be used for the OGfest after complaints from villagers – but organisers say the remainder of the site is sufficient for the event.

Nearly 30 local bands are lined up to play to as many as 5,000 fans in aid of Ty Hafan children’s hospice on July 25-27.

Speaking yesterday (Wednesday), Mr David said the event had simply become too big and he had received phone calls from villagers.

“The old dears were terrified, so I’ve decided to pull out,” he said.

He also attended a public meeting in St Brides Primary School on Friday night, which heard arguments for and against holding the event in the village.

Tickets for the festival had been due to go on sale today (Thursday) but their release has now ben delayed until May 8. Organiser Peter Beales said: “We were going to sell them through Ticketmaster, but now we are going through their sister company Ticketweb so they can monitor numbers and ensure we do not exceed a daily attendance limit.”

He said Bridgend County Borough Council had agreed the Ogmore Centre site could be used for parking and camping.

Letters: pages 29-31.