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Supporters save Tram Sunday
FLEETWOOD Transport Festival has been saved.
Supporters rallied last night to revive the event, which brings at least 40,000 people into Fleetwood and is worth 500,000 to the Wyre economy.
The event, which is in its 25th year, had been cancelled because of a lack of support.
But the crisis meeting, held at the North Euston Hotel in Fleetwood, attracted enough support for the event to go ahead.
Chairman of the Fleetwood Transport Festival, Keith Yates, said: "We have a festival for 2009. I am elated.
"Until tonight I was disappointed with the response from the town – we have had two people in the last month offering support.
"I was beginning to feel this was a Fleetwood event that Fleetwood doesn't really want. I was feeling disillusioned but tonight's turnout has been terrific.
"Everyone is up for it. We have a fair few obstacles in front of us but we will be making the 25th festival the biggest and the best."
The initial cancellation means the organisation of the event has fallen behind schedule.
Russell Forsyth, leader of Wyre Council, has promised officers from the local authority will help with publicity.
Around 20 people were present to sign up for duties and the festival will have a meeting on January 12 to assign jobs.
Mr Yates said he was hoping for more support from businesses.
He said: "It's a golden goose and it can lay golden eggs, but it needs feeding. We don't look at this as a Fleetwood event.
"The event is, in fact, the biggest one-day event in Lancashire in terms of visitor numbers. Those 40, 50 or 60 thousand people come for the weekend and spend in town and out of town.
"The festival is a great investment opportunity for Wyre Borough in terms of tourism and potential PR."
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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 27 May 2012
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