HUGE SUCCESSES FOR THE 28TH GREAT BRITISH RHYTHM AND BLUES FESTIVAL: 2017

Councillor Joe Cooney – Chairman of the Blues Working Group for Colne Town Council (who were the organisers and financial backers for the event for the first time) – said, “many many thanks first of all to the public for getting behind the festival. They did so literally in their thousands!”…

The festival has been deemed a huge success and many have praised both the organisation of the event and the ‘positive atmosphere’ around the town. Estimated numbers for attendance are between 15,000 and 20,000 people. Many local visitors enjoyed this years festival, with others known to have travelled from Spain, France, Germany and from all parts of the UK to be part ‘the best festival of it’s kind of in Europe’.

Colne Town Council would like to extend their thanks to all the people who worked together to allow this event to happen… “With very many thanks to the venues and their wonderful, friendly, happy staff; our incredible team of volunteers; the town councillors, the fabulous production people; the bands and musicians (such talent!); our street entertainers (how good were they?!) our sponsors; our contractors; the security team; the first aid team; our friends in the press and radio; the police, who were so supportive of the event from day one and did an amazing job over the weekend; the clean up team who bought our wonderful town back into pristine condition during the early mornings; and our own dedicated small team of three who have worked tirelessly for months to make this fantastic weekend take place. We’d also like to thank the talented Jason Elliott and Paddy Maguire for bringing together such a stellar line up. An incredible team effort! Oh, and we’d also like to thank the weather!”

Here are just a few of the recent reactions to the event:

“An excellent time with excellent music and atmosphere throughout the weekend. Well done to all the organisers and helpers” 5*****

“Fabulous festival! Very diverse lineup. Friendly staff. Well done!” 5*****

“Great festival from both a performers and punters point of view” 5*****

“Sunday – great festival atmosphere, brilliant street entertainment, all so much fun. Five stars for all the volunteers they were blooming awesome, so helpful and supportive”

“Unbelievably rich experience! Great music, great variety within the genre, great people and glorious sunshine”

“This wasn’t just a festival, it wasn’t just an incredible line-up of talent – it was a happening!”

“Best turnout for The Blues in many a year! Well done Colne Town Council for taking the festival on. Great decision to close down Newmarket Street and Albert Street, it really brought the crowds out to the bars. Also good move to have the designated busking tents” 5*****

“Lost for words really! The line up on Saturday was particularly amazing; the best contemporary blues bands around ATM!” 5*****

“Excellent festival, great atmosphere throughout the town and a wonderful way to spend the weekend. Top marks to everyone on the organising team and a great reason to visit a beautiful part of the world. 10/10!”

“An excellent time with excellent music & atmosphere throughout the weekend, this was our first time, but definitely not the last” 5*****