Pigeon Field festival cancelled this year

Last year the ‘Pigeon Field’ Music and Film Festival at Leslie Hill, Ballymoney, was hailed as a boost for the town and it was hoped it could grow and become a regular feature on the entertainment calendar.

Organiser John Leslie admitted the numbers in attendance last August were “disappointing” and now this year’s event will not go ahead - although they hope to be back in 2013.

Mr Leslie told the Times there was simply too much competition this year in terms of concerts and festivals.

And he said the large number of events meant it was difficult in securing bands because of the number of gigs.

Mr Leslie said there were many big public events this year like the Jubilee and Olympics which have and are attracting large numbers of people.

“Because of all this we decided not to have our festival this year and as far as next year we have not made a decision yet,” said Mr Leslie.

He said he has been in touch with concert promoters about next year and the hope is to be back in 2013.

Last year the numbers attending the festival were believed to be just over 500 which was described as “disappointing” by Mr Leslie and with that in mind he is considering that in future the festival could be deliberately kept small and intimate and be a 500 person ticket-only affair.

Last year the The Pigeon Field Festival saw two days of music, films, and poetry reading at Leslie Hill.

After last year’s event, Mr Leslie said; “We will take some time to assess things and discuss what we could do to make improvements. Obviously we need a certain number of people here to clear our overheads and it is accepted that it takes a few years to achieve that.

“But we must take the positives and it is clear that Leslie Hill not only has the facilities, but proves a perfect setting for an outdoor festival”.

The festival was a showcase for local talent like The Red Velveteens and Hunneysuckle.