LAST year was all about celebrations, but among the many grand and glorious events one was missing – Brentford Festival.
Happily for its fans and organisers, this year it is making a triumphant return albeit at a new location in a new borough.
Instead of Boston Manor where it has lived for seven years, the 2013 festival will take place nearby in Blondin Park in Northfields, Ealing.
Despite fears from the organising committee the new home might require some downsizing, a site visit has given hope that almost all of the usual activities will be retained.
These include funfair, stalls, live music, dance performances and displays as well as sports and much more.
Blondin Park is named in honour of French aerialist Jean François Gravelet-Blondin, known as Charles, who famously cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope.
He died in a house off Northfields Avenue in 1897 and the park includes a nature area opened by his great great grandson.
Brentford Festival Committee decided to move after disagreement with Hounslow Council and its park operator Laing over financial matters and provision of staff.
Event manager Linda Massey said: “It was obviously disappointing that we were never able to reach agreement with the land managers on the terms of using Boston Manor Park, but we now need to put it behind us and move on.
“At last the Brentford Festival Committee has agreed with Ealing Leisure Services to relocate to nearby Blondin Park.”
Highlighting how the name Brentford Festival was still appropriate despite being in Ealing, Mrs Massey pointed out two of the park entrances are edged with properties which fall inside Hounslow and a further two roads also cross the boundary.
She said: “The man that tight-roped across Niagara Gauge used to have a house here and the area was well known for its apple orchards.
“It’s well worth a visit to www.friendsofblondin.org.uk to get more information and we would very much like the festival to raise awareness of the history of the area and have already recruited some enthusiastic historians to help us take this forward.”
The only activity definitely off the agenda, due to the lack of a canal, is the water sports and kayaking.
The date is even staying the same, the first Sunday in September, which this year makes it September 1.
The committee holds its first meeting on Monday at the Pavilion Cafe, by the car park, in Boston Manor Park at 7pm. To get involved call Mrs Massey on 07831 106973 or email linda.massey@brentfordfestival.org.uk. For more information, visit www.brentfordfestival.org.uk.
