Farron calls together key players to help boost the 2008 Kirkland festival

Local MP Tim Farron has this week offered to chair a meeting between the organisers of the Kirkland Festival, the District Council and the Police to help smooth out the problems that affected this year's event. The future of the festival looked in doubt after new licensing laws concerning the sale and consumption of alcohol were introduced at the end of last year affecting Abbot Hall Park where the event is held annually.

Organisers of the festival have attributed the distinct drop in visitor numbers at this year's event to a decision not to licence the park as a whole for the consumption or sale of alcohol. Instead those wishing to enjoy alcoholic beverages were limited to a beer tent some distance from the main music stage and other entertainment spots. Many of those who did attend expressed their dissatisfaction at the restrictions thought to have undermined the spirit of the festival to the point that it may not have the opportunity to be resurrected in the future.

Tim Farron who visited the festival last week with his family said:

"The Kirkland Festival is a hugely important event for Kendal, and it's crucial that we ensure that its future isn't threatened by either red tape or misunderstandings.

"I am keen to bring all parties together to make sure that the festival goes from strength to strength in the future."