Rock 'n' Ride event to be axed

Council chiefs say the two-day summer festival, which was held for the first time in July, received "much acclaim" but there had been problems of noise in Festival Square and with the closure of a significant car park.

The festival saw live music stages and fairgrounds set up in the town. It was launched as a replacement for Oswestry Music Live, which was axed because of rising costs.

Members of Oswestry Town Council's amenities committee agreed last night not to repeat the event next year, but vowed to provide some form of entertainment in 2010.

A report to the meeting suggested various proposals to replace Rock 'n' Ride such as holding up to 12 musical events in Cae Glas Park on a Sunday afternoon during June, July and August.

The report proposed these events focused around brass bands and jazz/classical ensembles,on the bandstand.

Another idea was to arrange a schools' event at the park in the summer and to hold a major event in Cae Glas Park on July 24 to link with its centenary, although "significantly different" to the Music Live concept.

Councillor Christopher Schofield said: "It's disappointing people complained about Rock 'n' Ride."

Councillor Betty Gull said: "I wouldn't give up on it completely, people did enjoy it."

Councillor Martin Bennett said they accepted the report in principle in terms of providing events to inc-rease park use and help the town's footfall. But he said the number of events should be reduced, and the music not necessarily be amplified.