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BACKGROUND HISTORY...                                                                                                        

We started in 2001 in Boultham Park, Lincoln, as Boultham Park Music & Arts Festival,  a two day event putting on 20 bands. Although it rained all the time, it was still a success despite many difficulties including financial ones. But it established the event as a free festival to the extent that the BBC chose us as their venue to represent Lincolnshire in 2002 for the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebration. We designed and built the Boultham Park Beacon especially for the ceremony, with the support of 14 local companies, and it remains a focal point beside the lake, and will be a feature in the proposed multi million pound refurbishment programme soon to start. 

Festivals 2003 and 2004 followed as free events with an ever growing audience, but we continued to be plagued by financial worries, plus new health and safety regulations were to come in the year after, which ballooned our costs astronomically.  

For Festival 2005 we had to fence the whole area in for security reasons, employ a "dictated" security company and we had our first "name" artistes. Paul Young with "Los Pacaminos" and a big country star from America , Pinto Bennett with "Trio Pinto", who opened his 2005 European Tour with us.  This was the first time we had to charge admittance and we presented our usual 2 day event with 30 bands, plus 7 hands-on workshops, plus a fairground for the kids for just £10-00 for the whole weekend. The out of towner's were well satisfied at the value for money, but many of the Lincoln's actually complained, having come in for free for the last 4 years. It was wet again, a good show but a financial disaster and the management lost more money than ever before, with a unfortunate few other people, mainly because of the weather which had been publicized correctly by the media as the coming "wet weekend".

It was all but the last straw, and easy to see that it couldn't go in in the same way. One of the team said that he would be happy take the show over, and the exhausted manager thought that some "new blood" would be welcome after producing 5 shows on the trot. He was happy to be installed as  "tea boy" in the new organisation, and take a back seat. Sadly, the new manager's ideas just were not practical, and to cut a long story short, the show never took place.

After speaking to many very disappointed people, the now retired manager decided to give it just one more go, but it was conditional. The show had to be on a sound financial footing. The team were already proven in their various skills and dedication. (much of the early development involved unpaid volunteers, which sadly proved that voluntary labour cannot be relied upon). All of the team were now skilled paid  (except for the management who remained unpaid volunteers) professionals who knew ,and were dedicated to their job. A three year plan was set up involving 5 festivals, and called "Phoenix Festivals", three at a local school playing field and two on the Lincolnshire Showground. The budget included being able to pay all the artistes and headline major names (very big names at the Showground events). It also included the usual high quality stages and equipment and included overnight camping for the public, a beer tent, and a huge marquee for the first time, to be totally weather proof.  Entrance fees to remain the same as in 2005, so as to be the best value for money in the County, making the show accessible to all. With concessions so as not to exclude the poorer element. Audience figures were expected to be lower at the beginning, with realistic but conservative growth meant that we would apply to Arts Council England for just 18% of our total expenses for the five events. After which we would be financially independent. This was the condition that the new Phoenix Festival would be based on. ALL or NOTHING. We would get the whole grant; anything less and the management were not prepared to run the show, as the chairman / manager has often stated "I may be silly, but I'm not daft".

Finding funding via Grant Aid is like walking in a minefield, with rules & regulations constantly changing, which constantly moves the goalposts. I actually takes 3 times the amount of time & energy than actually running an event. Not only that, but it is a whole different, almost fantasy world that has it's own language where there are specific "buzz words" like enablement, facilitation, actualization etc etc etc that are part of the vocabulary of the panels that judge who should, and who shouldn't be awarded grant aid. Political correctness is a must, and questions on whether we specialize in any ethnic minority, race, disablement etc. No we don't; but we do include everyone whatever their situation in life; we exclude no one. But it does seem to gain "brownie points" if you tick the right boxes. We treat all people the same whatever there skill level, or ability. Provided they can be bothered, we will help and support them. Over the years I have filled in so many  grant applications, some of them failed because the goalposts moved during that application. Although we did get £16,000 from the Arts Council in 2003 which paid our 7 workshop teams directly. Local authorities communications can be awful, and expected application dated delayed even up to 7 months, so there are simply no guarantees however well you fill in the forms. It's a hit and miss nightmare, and nothing can ever be assumed or guaranteed. This was the crux that the "conditional" element was built upon, and the management are no longer prepared to play the "administrative financial games" they have taken part in over the 5 years of the B.P.M.& A. Festival.

It is important that we remember our original concepts, which is the foundation our festival is built on.                                                                                            

1. It is in the community, for the community and involving the community.

2. Any person, whatever their background, age, ability, or situation has to have an equal opportunity to be involved either as a participant or audience member.

3. We are totally biased towards original and creative work.

4. We are committed to helping people to help themselves. Not only in introducing them to new opportunities. But providing support and encouragement in the future as their ability / business / skill develops.

5. Providing a means of cross fertilization and communication to all arts and ecology related subjects businesses and enterprises.

6. We maintain the ability to work both independently and in conjunction with other people, groups and organizations.

THIS IS NEW GROUND for us as the "PHOENIX CYBER FESTIVAL", but it is built on a solid foundation of 6 years actual work and experience. We intend, (as we have previously) to evolve in a natural way, incorporating ideas brought to us by all involved. We are at the beginning of a whole new "octave", and this management sees no reason why we should not meet and surpass our original aims. We may be moving into cyberspace with our "home venue"; but we hope to "land" somewhere near you in the not too distant future. It will take a little time to get this new "method of operation" established, but sincerely believe that everyone involved will benefit to an even greater degree, if not quite so soon. The website will carry much more promotional and advertising benefits to both businesses and artistes. There will be far greater promotion of the CYBER FESTIVAL over a far greater area with almost immediate effect. Therefore establishing a live worksheet to promote our much more varied LIVE EVENTS. Know that, as ever, we are doing our very best to encourage and support you in whatever capacity you are involved. Our "feet on the ground" established operational team remain the same. The "shop" is already open for business, and while the management can't promise to be exactly politically correct  (in the political correctness gone mad formula), we will through the festival, do our best to bring work to you via our marketing / agency section. Always welcome your thoughts and input, remember, it remains YOUR FESTIVAL.

                                                             John Pye.  (manager).

It must be free from governmental bureaucratic financial controls. Not reliant on grant aid or local authority financial inducements.

Direct identification with participating groups / families / organizations. The festival is family orientated, and personal participation / involvement / expression is encouraged & supported.

We provide only the best equipment, facilities and health & safety standards for both those participating in the festivals & the general public. We liase with the local authority Safety Advisory Group on a regular basis, and implement & adhere to all advice and Regulatory Requirements.

We encourage audience participation & involvement in the festival through our wide selection of hands-on workshops, and try to produce a balanced format in our mix of new and seasoned professional entertainers covering a wide spectrum of creative arts. We also try to provide sufficient off stage activities to keep all ages content and amused throughout both days.

Overnight camping is available with toilet & hand washing facilities, at a reasonable cost. At some venues there may also be showering facilities. Sorry, NO DOGS (except working dogs). NO FIRES. NO MUSIC. All children under 16 to be accompanied by at least one adult.

We provide a efficient security team both male & female, all officers are SAI trained & certified.

STAR ATTRACTIONS...We are now able to invite "bigger names" to our stages  which will help our show on it's way to hosting some really big names in the future. This does not change our policy that we continue to provide a platform for ALL LEVELS of entertainment, so we will still say yes to those who have something to "give" and want to have a go themselves. With our team now safely "nesting" in the PHOENIX*CYBER*FESTIVAL; it is a firm base from which we can put on live events of any size required.

SPONSORSHIP SPECIALS...FOR COMPANIES (large & small).  We are now able to offer companies excellent facilities for promotions as we enter our 6th year and become more sophisticated in our presentation. Ranging from major items such as the stage down to advertisements in our programmes, we can tailor things to suit your needs at extremely competitive rates.

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