Sheep Music

Sheep Music is an internationally acclaimed three-day world music festival which takes place during July each year in Presteigne [Presteigne and Norton Website [http://www.presteigne.org/Sheep_Music] ] . It has more than 15 years of history to its name, starting as a party on The Warden around 1992. Since moving to its current site at Wentes Meadow in the mid 90’s it has grown into a large and respected music festival [BBC Wales mid article [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/arts/pages/sheep_music_festival.shtml] ] , boasting around 3,000 visitors a day [Powys Economic and Community Regeneration Sub-Committee Minutes, 14th July 2005 [http://www.powys.gov.uk/rep_2005-07-14becr1_3a_en.pdf?id=47&L=0] ] . In addition to several music stages, the festival also features various workshops, craft activities, and local food and ales.

Location

Sheep Music is currently held on community land known as Wentes Meadow, owned by Presteigne and Norton Town Council [Radnorshire Wildlife Trust [http://www.radnorshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/withybeds.htm] ] .This reserve is between the south bank of the River Lugg and the north-western edge of Presteigne, a border town located in Powys, Mid-Wales. It can be accessed from Joe Deakins Road and the B4355.

In 2007 the festival also expanded its camping grounds north of the river, with a temporary bridge spanning the water.

Venues

In 2007, Sheep Music had four stages – the Main Stage, The Ambient Tent, The Acoustic Tent and the Bar Stage. In addition, the Tiny Tea Tent also has held impromptu acts in the past.

The Main Stage is always the focal point for the festival, hosting the biggest names and the largest workshops throughout the 3 day event.

The Ambient Tent generally specializes more in Drum and Bass and Dance music, playing late into the night.

The Bar Stage, located in the Beer Tent, holds a smaller capacity than the Main Stage. Usually, the events are staggered so that as bands take down/set up at one stage, an event is taking place at the other.

The Acoustic Tent played host to the un-amplified acts and speakers, as well as workshops during the day. In 2007, it also had a small tea, coffee, and cake stand inside most events.

Recent History

Over the years numerous bands have played at Sheep Music. These include Groove Armada ^[2] , Nizlopi, The Cat Empire and Attack and Defend [Attack and Defend [http://www.attackanddefend.com] ] , to name just a few.In 2006, Sheep Music took a year’s ‘sabbatical’ and returned in 2007, with the event taking place on the weekend of 20th, 21st and 22nd April ^[1] . Unfortunately, the event was hit hard by the summer’s wet weather when severe floods affected the region. The main site was quickly turned to mud, and the rising waters of the nearby River Lugg meant the camping fields had to be evacuated. Bands struggled to reach the festival through the flooded roads, and the festival was in danger of being cancelled on safety grounds [Hereford and Worcester article [http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2007/07/27/sheep_music_feature.shtml] ] . However, with support from volunteers, festival management, local businesses, farmers and others the festival doggedly kept going.

The effect of the weather was to increase Sheep Music’s costs whilst reducing its income ^[6] , resulting in rumours of bankruptcy and the end of the festival. However, according to verbal reports of the latest AGM, Sheep Music is still financially viable, although now lacking reserves. Although no festival took place in 2008, their website currently indicates there will be a festival from the 17th to 19th July 2009.

Organization

Sheep Music is run by a limited company number 04427679, Sheep Music Ltd, incorporated on 30th April 2002 [Companies House [http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk] ] . Sheep Music Ltd has also been a registered charity, number 1099690, since 26th September 1993 [Charities Commision [http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/showtrustees.asp?Chy=3994448&Reg=1099690&Type=Main+Charity&Name=SHEEP+MUSIC+LTD&SubID=] ] .

The trustees responsible for the company currently number nine people ^[8] . Decisions regarding the festival and other company operations are usually decided by a committee. The festival itself is primarily staffed by volunteers, who work in exchange for free entry to the ground. A paid festival director was appointed for the first time in 2007, and external SIA registered security staff were also employed.

Apart from the music festival, Sheep Music Limited also arranges other local music events throughout the year, which are usually held in either The Dukes Arms, Presteigne, or in The Royal British Legion, Presteigne. In addition to this, Sheep Music also supports an organization called Black Sheep White Sheep, a youth band run by John Hymas which meets weekly in Presteigne assembly rooms [Broad Sheep [http://www.broadsheep.com/(pbtimr55ztle3i45wdadk455)/listings.aspx?page=music] ] .

External links

* [http://www.sheepmusic.info Sheep Music]
* [http://www.lewissaunders.com/sheepmusic/music.html Band List for 2007]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/arts/pages/sheep_music_festival.shtml BBC article]

References