Festival alters name over online sniggers
America has Woodstock, Somerset has Glastonbury and Shropshire has Cockfest, or at least it did until internet pranksters poked fun at the name apparently causing organisers to change it.
Music festival organisers in the Shropshire village of Cockshutt, near Ellesmere, have apparently changed their annual music event's name from Cockfest to Cockshutt Music Festival after the original name generated some unwanted attention online.
Cyberpests amused by the funny name started a thread about it on a blog and prompted a name change.
It attracted hundreds of visitors to the village website who wanted to see it for themselves. Following a huge surge in website traffic, organisers appear to have re-named the event.
On the festival's Facebook page, organiser Jonny Morris said: "The dream is to have an outdoor music festival with all the feel of Glastonbury in our very own little corner of Shropshire.
"Although we've started small, the plan is to grow each and every year.
"Cockfest 09 really rocked out and proved that the ticket price was more than worth it with four absolutely cracking live bands and top notch hot food.
"The small festival is back. After the success of last year, I plan to only improve on it and bring yet another night of live music from great bands, superb food and a great atmosphere with lots of surprises thrown in.
"Watch this space for band line-up and format of the evening."
Now in its second year, the mini Glastonbury-style event is to be held on June 5 from 6pm in Cockshutt Millennium Hall.
For details visit the website here or join the Facebook group, Cockfest II, where details of the night's line-up will be announced. Prices and the date tickets go on sale are yet to be announced.
Organisers were unavailable for comment.
By Tom Johannsen
