A FESTIVAL which has brought an unprecedented wealth of fine music and arts entertainment to Saddleworth audiences for over 50 years has brought the curtain down on its four yearly programme.

In the face of what the Saddleworth Festival of the Arts Trust describes as a "changing environment" and an "increasing difficulty to attract national figures at reasonable fees", its committee has decided to replace the four-yearly week-long highlight by sponsoring individual events within the community.

Committee member spokesman Colin Smith, who since 2001 and has worked tirelessly alongside the team to help stage the much-celebrated festival, says it's been a difficult decision with "mixed emotions" but it seems the best way forward.

He also revealed the cost of staging the last festival was over £70,000, financed by ticket sales, sponsorship by local companies and individuals, Saddleworth and Lees District Executive and Saddleworth Parish Council.

"There are mixed feeling among committee members and there are some who wish to continue but we have recognised that things have moved on and we've had dwindling audiences for a number of years," said Colin.

"Increasingly people do not want to go out every night of the week.

"We want to move forward.

"There are so many people providing arts and cultural activities in the area now. In some ways the festival has done its job and it's time we gave someone else more room.

"We recognised times have changed and we need to change with them."

"The committee would like to thank all the sponsors and public who have supported the festivals over the years. Without them it would not have been what it was."

The next festival would have been in June 2019.

The last event in 2015 attracted soul singer Ruby Turner, world-renowned violinist Tasmin Little, poet Simon Armitage, London Opera Players and famous funnyman Arthur Smith.

It ended with a spectacular finale to celebrate the late festival founder with the Lord Rhodes Concert at St Chad’s Church, Uppermill, and included the world premiere of Peter Martin’s “Saddleworth Dances”, written for the church’s 800th anniversary that year.

At past festivals big name stars such as Ken Dodd had people queuing in the street to buy tickets and TV personality Julia Bradbury, BBC presenter George Alagiah, contemporary poet Ian McMillan, comedy star Barry Cryer and The Brighouse and Rastrick Band have all graced the various festival venues including Uppermill Civic Hall, Uppermill Methodist Church and The White Hart Inn.

It drew on the incredible local talent of organisations such as Saddleworth Musical Society, Saddleworth Players, Saddleworth Singers and Saddleworth Male Voice Choir and local school children were eagerly involved.

Local residents also opened up their show-stopping gardens to the public during the event.

A firm fixture on the Saddleworth scene, it had a reputation for bringing together international, national and local talent, which all stemmed from a small group of enthusiasts in the 1950s - led by Lord Rhodes of Saddleworth - who conceived the idea of bringing top quality performers to the area and give local groups the chance to demonstrate skills in the arts.

The first festival was held in 1957 as a presumed one-off but having caught the public's imagination it continued to grow and be appreciated, drawing in audiences from far and wide.

"It took around two years to organise," said Colin.

"It has always been run by volunteers and we always had a rule that we paid for our own tickets for any events we wished to attend. The only thing we spent money on was the artists.

"We are now looking to sponsor individual arts and cultural events in Saddleworth and we're inviting these organisations to apply to us for a modest grant to help them out.

"After the last festival we had a long, hard look at how we could move forward and with the limited funds we have available we decided we wanted to plough them back into the area.

"Organisations like Saddleworth Musical Society, Saddleworth Male Voice Choir and Millgate Arts Centre are examples of the type of organisations we could support. Music, arts, theatre or anyone putting on a musical event can all apply."

If you wish to apply for a Saddleworth Festival of the Arts Trust grant, application forms are available from Colin on 01457873055 or Colin Berry at colinjamesberry@gmail.com.