The Sunflowers Festival, a charity music event, has been granted approval to take place near Churchdown from October 3 to 5, stirring both excitement and concern in the community. The festival, organized by Monkey Bar Events Ltd, will be held on the same field previously used by the Witcombe Festival, located off Brockworth Road. With permission from Tewkesbury Borough Council, the event is allowed annually between April 1 and October 31, hosting up to 3,000 attendees this year.
The festival will feature live and recorded music, alcohol sales, and performances scheduled from late afternoon Friday until mid-afternoon Sunday. Proceeds will support Sunflowers Suicide Support charity, continuing the momentum from a successful sellout event at the Old Crown in Paganhill.
Despite enthusiasm, 26 objections were submitted by residents concerned about safety, security, and environmental impact, while only six voiced support. Henri Schreuder, a nearby resident, expressed deep worries about potential gatecrashers risking their lives by crossing the busy M5 motorway instead of using the footbridge, potentially trespassing on private land. He emphasized the difficulty of securing the site, noting previous struggles with unauthorized entrants, damage to local property such as sheep wire, and littering.
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Another neighbor, Michael Hopkins, highlighted the potential disturbance to local wildlife. Over almost four decades, his farm has become home to barn owls, kestrels, hawks, and partridges, all of which could be affected by the festival’s noise, especially during certain wind conditions. He also criticized the lack of proper notification to the community, citing that many residents learned about the event only through informal channels.
In response, Sebastian Devlin, director of Monkey Bar Events, assured that significant measures have been implemented to prevent unauthorized access. The entire festival site will be securely fenced, staffed by multiple security personnel ensuring entry only through official entry points where tickets will be scanned. Devlin stressed that climbing fences or trespassing will not be tolerated. He also emphasized thoughtful planning, including designated parking and taxi areas to minimize traffic issues.
Devlin recounted the festival’s origins in Stroud with a capacity of 600 people, where demand rapidly grew, selling out 2,000 tickets in just two weeks and raising nearly £17,000 for charity. However, restrictions at the previous venue—such as the ban on temporary structures—prompted the move to the current location.
With a reduced capacity from an initial 3,500 to 3,000 people this year, momentum continues cautiously. The licensing committee approved the event with conditions set by police and environmental health officials. Organizers will hold a Q&A session with local residents approximately two and a half months before the event and distribute informational leaflets. Additional environmentally conscious steps include encouraging recycled products and conducting a wildlife survey to help protect the surrounding ecosystem.