Music Live may return to Oswestry - after a break of six years

Oswestry's popular Music Live event could be brought back as part of a weekend-long celebration promoting the town.

A music-based weekend looks likely to form the main attraction of a 'Promoting Oswestry' celebration that is being planned by organisations and individuals.

Added to that would be an Oswestry Fringe Festival including of a wide variety of sporting and cultural activities.

A task force set up to organise Promoting Oswestry put its ideas to the town council this week.

At a meeting on Monday councillors stressed that while supporting the concept it had not as yet pledged any funding.

Town Councillor Chris Stokes, who is on the working party, told councillors that one idea was to link up with the St Oswald saint's day on August 5.

Councillor Stokes said: "At the meeting ideas suggested included an Oswestry Fringe Festival around a range of venues, a Ferris wheel, a cycling event and a 'festival of colour' although we would still like to hear other ideas."

He added: "The main event would be based around a significant music activity in the park with professional delivery for security and licensing.

"It was recognised that the event that is still most missed in Oswestry is a Music Live-type event in Cae Glas Park," Councillor Stokes said.

"This had been a huge success, brought footfall into the town, provided a programme of entertainment for local people and visitors and was greatly enjoyed."

Music Live was first held in the town's Cae Glas Park to celebrate the Millennium in 2000 and ran until 2010. It folded because of running costs and worries about stewarding.

It was replaced for one year by Rock 'n' Ride, a festival of music and showground thrills. That event saw local bands play at various venues throughout the town.

But that too was later scrapped following complaints over noise and the loss of parking in the town.

At the time, town clerk David Preston, said: "Concerns still existed over this event regarding the venue at Cae Glas Park, the fact that stewarding would still need to be provided at a cost, and issues would still relate to controlling underage drinking."