A MAJOR arts festival at a North Yorkshire town will not go ahead this year after funding failed to materialise.

The Selby Arts Festival (SAF) launched last year, with thousands of people enjoying music, theatre and comedy at venues around the town, including performances by Ed Byrne and musician Seth Lakeman inside the historic Abbey.

As part of the SAF’s launch, organisers promised it would become an annual event, but although dates for this year’s event were set, it will not be going ahead.

Chris Jones, arts director for Selby Town Council, said the news was sad for the town as “last year’s event was fantastic”, but rumours of the cancellation were correct.

He said: “Selby Arts Festival was a fantastic success and an important boost to the profile of Selby’s existing cultural offer. It certainly exceeded expectations and was incredibly well supported by the town and wider district, with almost all events selling out.

“Though it’s a disappointment that the event will not be returning for a 2018 edition, plans are already underway for an event in 2019. While I hope that the success of the large scale shows in Selby Abbey can be repeated next year, in the meantime there continues to be a strong programme of music, comedy and theatre performances at the Town Hall catering for a wide range of tastes.”

The festival was funded in part by Arts Council England (ACE) with a budget of around £120,000, and organised by David Edmunds through his company Dep Arts Ltd.

Mr Edmunds told The Press it was not possible for further ACE funding for the 2018 event, and when efforts to secure funding from elsewhere - including Selby District Council - failed, he decided it was no longer feasible for him to continue the festival.

He said he hoped the festival could continue in some form, and he hoped the example set in its first year would form a base to build on.

Mr Edmunds said: “When we launched it people didn’t think it would happen or no one would come or we wouldn’t get anyone good. But you look at what we did, nine sold out events, 12,000 people engaged with the festival.

“I was expecting to see some form of announcement once we were out of the picture saying the council were moving forward with it. It’s a really sad thing is that one incredible year was just a one-off, but I’m really proud that we changed perceptions of the town.”

Selby town councillor Steve Shaw-Wright said the town council and others “had committed to a three-year programme of events”, and the lack of festival this year “really muddies the ground for future festivals”.

He said: “I am bitterly disappointed in the way SAF was, in essence, wound up with out so much as a by or leave. Many local organisations and individuals worked and supported SAF, and it has to be said it was a great arts festival.

“Selby Town Council will continue to offer year-round cultural activities at the Town Hall, and will be working in partnership with others on the Selby Abbey 950 celebrations, which will be an opportunity for Selby Town to be in the forefront of cultural activities across 2019.”

A spokeswoman for Selby District Council said 2019 was “a big year for Selby”, not just for the anniversary of the Abbey, but it also marked the 50th anniversary of the Civic Society and 100 years since the creation of Selby Town FC”

She said: “Building on the success of last year’s Arts Festival in the town we recognise there is an appetite for Selby to provide a calendar of arts, drama and culture events. Right now, we’re working alongside a number of key partner organisations across Selby to see how we can develop these plans but we would love more local businesses, community groups and people that are passionate about Selby to be involved.

“It is early days but among the range of activities being looked at are a light festival, folk festivals, music events, pop-up events and theatre performances. Come talk to us and find out how we can work together.”

The council wants to speak to community groups, dance and theatre groups, youth organisations, brownies, rainbows, guides, scouts, performers, residents groups, fundraising groups, to organise events for next year.

The spokeswoman said: “We know Selby has got talent so why not get involved, share with us your time and showcase your town.”

To find out more, email hkennedy@selby.gov.uk.