YOUNG MORAY MUSICIANS have been left bitterly disappointed as predicted storms put paid to the Wall of Rock youth music festival in Lossiemouth this weekend.
After months of hard work the two-day festival had to be called off on Thursday when forecasters predicted high winds and rain for the Moray area – making it too great a risk to young performers and audience alike.
It has fallen as a particular disappointment given the hard work put in by organisers to raise the £3000 funding required to ensure that there could be a Wall of Rock event in the first place. A fundraising effort through online crowdfunding went to the wire – and only through a couple of large and generous donations was the required funding put in place.
In the end it was the natural elements that put paid to the event for this year – but organisers hope to bring the festival back again in 2016.
A spokesman said: “We have been so blessed with sunshine for years but during one short spell of rain last year we lost an expensive speaker – and we can’t take the risk this year.
“The committee were halfway through set up on Thursday when the decision was made and it was not made lightly.
“SEPA had warned of high winds and rain – we simply could not take the risk on the Lossiemouth outdoor stage.”
Organisers have been contacting bands, helpers and supporters of their decision while those who donated to the Crowdfunding effort will be contacted individually to see if they wish their contributions to be carried over to the 2016 event.