A popular Bridport music festival will 'reluctantly' not go ahead in the town this year, organisers have announced.

Bridport Folk Festival usually runs over three days in July and sees the town centre transformed into a stage for hundreds of musicians and dancers.

It atttracts visitors from across the country. 

Organiser Chris Deacon said that the decision to cancel the 2023 event was one 'not lightly taken' but was necessary due to 'health issues and financial trends'.

He added that 'a lot of soul searching and much debate' occurred before he decided to 'reluctantly' make the call not to go ahead.

Mr Deacon said that following the success of the 2022 event, a ‘washup’ meeting was held between organisers, during which it was agreed that this show would be their last. 

Last year the west Dorset town welcomed back the 'cracking' festival for the first time after the pandemic and bad weather as crowds watched live folk acts across five stages.

Mr Deacon did confirm that a revised folk festival for 2024 is not out of the question. 

The first Bridport Folk Festival took place back in 2017 and has also helped raise money for charities over the years, including thousands for good causes including the RNLI and Harmony Mental Health Project. 

"From its inception in 2017, the following years proved more than a little challenging," Mr Deacon said. 

"[In] 2018 we were hit by the storm that wiped out most festivals. Fortunately we had contingency plans that enabled the festival to go ahead.

"The downside was that we had no room for the public, resulting in a shattering loss of income.

"2019 was spent recouping our losses and resolving to build our funds to finance the year ahead.

"2020 was blighted by Covid and instead of leaving our working funds in the bank, we donated them to deserving causes in critical need such as the foodbank. 

"We did however organise and deliver the ‘Bridport Bounces Back’ concert with local acts giving freely of their time and talents.

"In 2021, we rebuilt our funds once again from scratch enabling us to put on a less ambitious festival. 

"In 2022, every aspect of the festival was hit by vastly increased prices which caused us to reflect on whether we should go ahead. 

"We bit the bullet and with the brilliant support of the town council, our sponsors and all our volunteers who were key to its success, we pulled off a spectacular festival.

"A three-day festival featuring 128 musicians, a wealth of Morris-related dance sides, 4-5 stages, three concerts and dances is not something to be taken lightly.

"The success was due in part to the 18 months of planning which took its toll mentally, emotionally and physically and despite some disappointing aspects, we managed to cover all our costs as before with a surplus for our chosen charity. 

"Whilst abiding by our decision, we do not wish to see our efforts and commitment over the last seven years be consigned to history. 

"I would be happy to discuss the management of the festival with those interested in taking over the reigns of organising the festival for 2024 with an assurance of our ongoing support and guidance."

In a statement on Facebook earlier today, Mr Deacon said: "Following speculation as to this years Bridport Folk Festival, I’m sad to relate that after a lot of soul searching and much debate, we have reluctantly decided not to go ahead this year.

"The decision was not lightly taken and was based on a number of issues including personal circumstances, health issues and current financial trends.

"However a revised festival for 2024 is very much on the cards and we’re looking for someone to take on the general organisation with our ongoing support."