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Gatley Festival 2024 Statement

Dear Gatley Residents, surrounding areas and all Gatley Festival attendees.

The Gatley Festival Committee regret to inform you that there will be no event in 2024.

Barring Covid ( and maybe the War Years ) we believe that this could be the first time in 100 years that Gatley has not had a Festival of some sort .

Over the years the local community has celebrated this day in various formats but always at the heart of it has been the community groups, the parents, the children, the schools, the dance troupes, the sports clubs and the businesses that make up this wonderful village that we live in.

As a collective we have made no secret of the fact that the future of the festival (in its current form or any form) was in jeopardy, if we were not able to recruit more people to join the committee / or help out with the main organisation.

In reality, the committee consists of 8 people, volunteers, who have full time employment commitments and families. We are not paid to organise this event.

We are often asked why we charge for entry to the Festival and why is it not free. The Festival costs upwards of GBP 15,000 a year to put on.

Costs have risen substantially and last year the team worked incredibly hard to get the best value for money from our suppliers in order to keep the ticket costs down. We wanted to ensure that the first year post Covid and the 100th year was something to remember.

Where else can you come along for a family day out, support local businesses, celebrate local community groups and listen to some great live music – for only GBP 2.50 a ticket (and children are free)!

It is important to note that similar events and festivals in other areas ( which may be free ) are often partially or fully funded by the local council or the committees fundraise constantly throughout the year to raise the running costs. We have received funds from the council in the past but not enough to run the event .

We rely on programme sales and the sponsorship of our local businesses. In latter years, if any ‘profit’ was made then funds went back into the community. Last year we were able to support some local groups and this year we have had the ability to make some small grants – but please be aware no ‘profit’ was made in 2022 or 2023.

Last year we reached out and asked for help to run the 2023 Festival and not one person turned up to the AGM.

This year we have appealed to the people of Gatley and wider afield to get involved and help secure a Festival for 2024.

Sadly – despite publicising on social media, word of mouth and via posters in the village – only 1 person stepped forward.

Maybe the current format doesn’t appeal any more ? Maybe you have some alternative fund raising ideas ? Maybe there are things you would love to be included? Are you a local organisation that would like to get more involved ?

Nothing is off the table if you have the desire to get involved…..

The bigger the organisation the lighter the work . You dont have to sit on the main committee or attend meetings .

We have had no choice but to ‘rest’ the Festival for 2024 and we plan to revisit in June / July next year with a view to guaging interest in putting together an event in 2025.

If you would like to know more , have any suggestions for future events or think you can help out please email us @ hello@gatleyfestival.co.uk

Sincerely yours.

The Gatley Festival Committee

Welcome to Gatley Festival

See our Galleries

We are thrilled to be back with our committee, updated website and festival programme for another year of Gatley Festival. We have been very busy organising and we are looking forward to a brilliant event with everyone coming together again on the 2nd July.

In the spirit of celebrating 100 years of Gatley Festival there will be a variety of events on the run up to the festival to keep you entertained. On the festival day we encourage you all to wear your brightest colours and party outfits and join us for what promises to be a day to remember!

This year’s programme has some great sponsors along with some amazing discount vouchers inside. We do hope that you all make the most of these brilliant offers put forward from some of our most excellent local businesses.

We are back bigger and better than ever

To celebrate 100 years of Gatley Festival there are an abundance of events to keep you entertained on the run up to the festival! Thanks to the local businesses that are running the events.

View events

Gatley Festival Parade

This year’s Festival will take place on Sunday 2nd July with the Traditional Parade commencing at 12.00pm Noon from The Kingsway High School before making its way through Gatley and finishing at Gatley Hill at 12.45pm
(Please see the route map below for more details).

The parade this year will include classic cars, dance performers, a pipers’ band, and our local groups and schools.

This will then be followed by fun at the Festival Field until 6pm and we have lots and lots in store for the whole family including fairground rides, inflatables, the assault course and the giant slide.

Parade Route
The parade will proceed along Foxland Road, turning right onto Springfield Road. It will then continue along Springfield Road turning left onto Gatley Road.
The Parade will move along Gatley Road, turning left onto Church Road. The Parade will proceed along Church Road, arriving at Gatley Hill at approximately 12.45pm

Enjoy a wide variety of musical entertainment including: Classic Cars, Pipe Band, Drummers and Local groups and schools.

We look forward to thematic dress and entertainment from a range of local community groups, and many of our acts will later perform in our field arena.

You can then recharge your batteries with something from our scrumptious food stalls – there’s plenty to choose from whether you’re savoury, sweet toothed or both! There will also be a fully licensed bar within our festival tent and lots of product and pamper stalls to choose from. All of this plus a packed entertainment program from some truly outstanding acts.

TRUST US – YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT!

Watch a live stream of the parade over on Stockport Tourisms Facebook page

Souvenir Programme

Our Souvenir Festival Programmes has vouchers worth up to £100 inside.  The programme costs £2.50 and allows one adult to enter the festival field FREE OF CHARGE

FREE entry to the festival field for ages 16 & under

Programmes are available from:
Horse and Farrier • Jackson O’ Malley • Wagtails • Bibita • Love Beauty • Prince of Wales • Village Domestics

We are so looking forward to seeing you all on the day and  please don’t forget to bring your programme with you to the field to claim your FREE entry.  Entry to Festival Field is £2.50 (without a programme)

Thank you to all our advertisers and supporters

Baji Pala
Village Domestics
GS Foam Concrete
Stonepail Cycles
Angela Lewis
Jackson O’Malley
Garment Printing Limited
La Cueva
61 Dental
Petcare Stay
Katie’s Cuisine
Old Bedians
Specsavers Wythenshawe
Honeybear Nursery

Love Beauty Gatley
Love Hair
Horse and Farrier
U3A
Avalanche Creative
Daniel J Mellor Funeral Directors
ME Time
Medoc
Boardmann
Elite Bars
Coco Bella Melts
Moor Podiatry
Gatley Carrs

Kidstart Nursery
Sign and Display
Prince of Wales Pub
Wag Tails
Northern Etchells Homes
Gatley Kitchens and Bedrooms
Brookside School
Mr Whippy
The Harris Group
Thirsty Filly Horse Box
Bethany Church
JP & Brimelow

Piccolo
Manchester Self Storage
Lum Head Primary School
Best Friends
Your Local Voice
Baxter Park Tennis Club
Deckchair Care
The SK8 Directory
Cheadle Post
Wythenshawe FM
Lottery Community Fund
Stockport Council
Stockport Tourism

Baji Pala
Village Domestics
GS Foam Concrete
Stonepail Cycles
Angela Lewis
Jackson O’Malley
Garment Printing Limited
La Cueva
61 Dental
Petcare Stay
Katie’s Cuisine
Old Bedians
Specsavers Wythenshawe
Honeybear Nursery
Love Beauty Gatley
Love Hair
Horse and Farrier
U3A
Avalanche Creative
Daniel J Mellor Funeral Directors
ME Time
Medoc
Boardmann
Elite Bars
Coco Bella Melts
Moor Podiatry
Gatley Carrs
Kidstart Nursery
Sign and Display
Prince of Wales Pub
Wag Tails
Piccolo
Northern Etchells Homes
Gatley Kitchens and Bedrooms
Brookside School
Mr Whippy
The Harris Group
Thirsty Filly Horse Box
Bethany Church
JP & Brimelow
Manchester Self Storage
Lum Head Primary School
Best Friends
Your Local Voice
Baxter Park Tennis Club
Deckchair Care
The SK8 Directory
Cheadle Post
Wythenshawe FM
Lottery Community Fund
Stockport Council
Stockport Tourism

We will be back in 2024

If you are interested in advertising in our 2024 Souvenir Programme / website or simply want to get involved,
please contact us: hello@gatleyfestival.co.uk