The Bristol Festival Community Group is a collection of volunteers, with a wide range of backgrounds, interests and ages, who have come together to plan a community-based festival for September 2008 following the sad demise of the Bristol Community Festival at Ashton Court. We are a registered charity aiming to support local talent across a wide spectrum of the arts including music, theatre, circus, art, and dance to stage an exciting weekend of entertainment, participation and educational workshops as well as a year long programme of volunteer training, skill swapping and creative workshops.

We are building the festival from the ground up, with public participation and community involvement integral to every stage. This is a festival close to our hearts, unique in today's corporate world where big businesses often suffocate local voices, and as such we feel it would be a great loss to the city if such an event ceased to exist. We are aiming to revive the spirit of the old community festival, emphasising local cooperation and providing a platform to showcase the region's fantastic arts and music, whilst also supporting independent trade and local businesses. This does not mean we are hoping to replace or replicate the previous festival at Ashton Court, but start a new venture true to the original ethos, which is not necessarily limited to one outdoor festival site, but which could encompass a number of citywide events.

The local community will be involved at every opportunity to ensure the people of Bristol get the festival celebration they want. Anyone and everyone is invited, whether you have a skill and want to get involved, or just want to tell us what you would want to see in a festival. This is an exciting opportunity to voice your views on everything from where the festival is to be held, to what band you'd like to hear.

As everyone is painfully aware outdoor festivals are increasingly expensive to run, and as a community event we rely heavily on good will and volunteers to keep the entrance fees as low and inclusive as possible. However, with the fresh exciting ideas pouring in we are positive that a community festival to be proud of, organised by the people, for the people, can be staged in September 2008. Fund-raising endeavours have already begun including monthly live music at Mr Wolfs Noodle Bar and various club/DJ nights at different venues around the city. (Check fundraising section for further details).

We are also excited to launch a scheme for businesses and members of the public to buy a piece of the pie and have their message become part of the festival itself... all will be revealed soon!

There are many more exciting ventures beginning all across the city, and if you'd like to show your support, raise money or take part in the events please do not hesitate to get in touch. We also would like to hear your views and opinions or ideas you may have, and look forward to seeing you at the public consultation.

It's your festival, get involved!