UK music festival, founded before Glastonbury, forced to close after 60 years-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

Towersey Festival was founded five years before Glastonbury (Picture: Towersey Festival)

The Towersey Festival is coming to an end after sixty years.

Denis Manners MBE began Towersey in 1965, making it five years older than Glastonbury, and his grandchildren Mary Hodson and Joe Heap are now co-directors.

The organisers have shared the sad news that this year’s offering will be their last with ‘economic challenges’ caused by the Covid-19 pandemic cited as one of the main reasons that the family-run festival will ‘bow out’ after six decades.

The musical event champions roots and folk music, and began in the village of Towersey. In 2015 they moved to nearby Thame, before relocating once more to the Claydon Estate in Buckinghamshire five years later.

‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that we have made the decision that The Towersey Festival 2024 will be our last,’ they posted on the official Instagram page.

‘We believe festivals like Towersey are crucial for creating better communities and societies and for finding hope and humanity in an otherwise challenging world. Our thoughts go out to the other 35+ festivals who have already cancelled this year along with our hopes that we can collectively find a way to come back stronger one day.’

The 2024 Towersey Festival will be its last due to ‘economic challenges’ (Picture: Towersey Festival)

The caption added: ‘After 60 incredible years, we’re closing this chapter with the ultimate celebration.

‘Your support has meant the world to us, and we want to make this last festival truly unforgettable. Let’s come together to celebrate music, dance, friendship, and memories one last time.’

The 60th anniversary of the four-day festival will begin on August 23. The ticket cost for one adult for the whole weekend is £224.72, with Billy Bragg and The Staves headling the final hurrah.

As well as enjoying music and comedy, revelers can take part in workshops in everything from medieval dancing to axe-throwing and lantern-making.

The final Towersey Festival is being headlined by Billy Bragg and The Staves (Picture: Towersey Festival)

Stowaway Festival commented: ‘As a new festival neighbour, just the other side of Buckingham we’re so very sad to hear this year will be your last! Towersey has been a cornerstone in the UK festival scene and will be missed. We hope to see the Towersey team in a field soon.’

‘This is news no one wanted to hear. We are devastated for you all and everyone who loves the festival,’ added Shrewsbury Festival.

Many longterm attendees expressed their sadness that the festival will no longer take place after 2024.

‘You’ve been the bookmark of my year, almost every year since I was younger than my children. You’ve bookmarked their years too,’ wrote Sammisam Watson.

‘A lifetime of moments in face paint and glitter. A lifetime of music and spectacle. A lifetime of love in a field. Thank you for it all. I’m so sorry you are having to walk away. It’s brutal for you all.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More