A popular village festival has been cancelled due to 'financial circumstances'. 

Directors of the Ireby Festival CIC, have decided to cancel the festival, which was scheduled to go ahead on May 22 and 23, in order to avoid risking a situation which sees artists and providers not being paid for their work. 

The event which sees musicians and artists from all across Europe descend to Wigton has now been cancelled continously, as previously the pandemic halted any plans to continue the festival. 

A spokesperson from the organisation took to social media and said: 

"The directors of Ireby Festival CIC have agreed that the Ireby Festival is unable to continue. This is not a decision taken lightly as preparations for the 2023 Ireby Festival were well advanced.

"With so many happy memories, we would like to thank everyone who attended the festival; the fans, campers and friends of the festival, the artists, the supporting businesses, the organisers and stewards, and everyone else who helped to make the festival such a success in years gone by. We will all miss it.

Times and Star: MASS: Hundreds enjoy sold out festival in previous years. MASS: Hundreds enjoy sold out festival in previous years.

"The Directors of Ireby Festival CIC (a not for profit organisation) made this decision due to a sudden and unexpected change in the financial circumstances which are beyond our control and we are not prepared to risk a situation where Festival Artists and service providers cannot be paid in full for their work.

"Our loyal followers who hold tickets issued pre-pandemic and Lockdown will be reimbursed the value of their ticket. Holders of tickets purchased via Gigantic Ticketing Agency should approach them directly," they said. 

Refunds will be issued for all of those that have purchased a ticket. 

Traditionally the festival catered to a range of music to suit most tastes, performed in small intimate venues alongside a main stage venue which was restricted to just 650 people, a true call for music-lovers. 

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