The University of Surrey Students’ Union has announced a campaign to bring back Guilfest.

Starting life in 1992 as The Guilford Festival of Folk and Blues, for most of its history the event was held at Stoke Park, hosting everyone from local legends The Stranglers to Roger Daltrey to N-Dubz, actively supported by local businesses.

Guilfest came to an end last year, citing competition from other larger festivals and 2012’s rainy summer which slashed ticket sales. In July 2013 it was replaced by Magic FM’s Summer Live, regarded by many as lacking the community spirit of its predecessor.

Bring Back Guilfest already has more than 4,000 supporting signatures and will be discussed at a full Guildford Borough Council meeting on 10 October. The campaign hopes to attract the support of companies and individuals affected by the absence of the independently run festival.

“Summer Live was perceived as purely a commercial operation which brought little benefit to Guildford,” president of the Students’ Union, Em Bollon, said. “Surrey students have had a high level of involvement in our beloved Guilfest and would like to see its return in 2014.”

Sign the petition HERE 

The University of Surrey Students’ Union has announced a campaign to bring back Guilfest.

Starting life in 1992 as The Guilford Festival of Folk and Blues, for most of its history the event was held at Stoke Park, hosting everyone from local legends The Stranglers to Roger Daltrey to N-Dubz, actively supported by local businesses.

Guilfest came to an end last year, citing competition from other larger festivals and 2012’s rainy summer which slashed ticket sales. In July 2013 it was replaced by Magic FM’s Summer Live, regarded by many as lacking the community spirit of its predecessor.

Bring Back Guilfest already has more than 4,000 supporting signatures and will be discussed at a full Guildford Borough Council meeting on 10 October. The campaign hopes to attract the support of companies and individuals affected by the absence of the independently run festival.

“Summer Live was perceived as purely a commercial operation which brought little benefit to Guildford,” president of the Students’ Union, Em Bollon, said. “Surrey students have had a high level of involvement in our beloved Guilfest and would like to see its return in 2014.”

Sign the petition HERE