I’m struggling to cope, says ‘Mr Festival’
EVENT ORGANISER TELLS OF 25 CANCELLATIONS
THE man who organises major carnivals and galas across West Yorkshire says he has had 25 cancellations due to the coronavirus pandemic, costing him thousands of pounds which he will never get back.
Stephen Knight, 51, of Berry Brow, known affectionately as ‘Mr Festival,’ was due to put up all the marquees and infrastructure this year for everything from Meltham Beer Festival this Easter, to Bark in the Park for St Gemma’s Hospice.
Stephen, a father-of-three, who has been organising festivals for 11 years and who is chairman of Netherton Community Centre
CIC, said: “Normally at this time of year I would be working seven days a week, absolutely loving doing my work with all the camaraderie and making profits of more than £1,000 a week, but that’s not happening.
“I had just bought five generator sets and a mobile bar but I’m not sure when I am going to be able to use them, certainly not any time soon.
“I love my work and I’m like a fish out of water not being able to do anything, it’s been bloody awful.
“I am having to live on my savings but hopefully next year I will be expanding my business. I’m a ‘can do’ kind of guy and this is really hurting me psychologically.
“Normally, I would be right in the thick of it, doing presentations and events, and to be honest I am not coping very well with it.
“Twelve months ago I was with a load of friends enjoying the unusually warm weather that made Meltham Beer Festival such a success when we had a record 4,000 guests and now I’m reduced to just checking that my equipment is safe and doing some office work.
“If it comes to it I will just have to get a job like everybody else.”
I love my work and I’m like a fish out of water not being able to do anything, it’s been bloody awful