Moves to secure the future of the Colchester Festival got under way at the weekend with a launch event.

The future of the festival has been in doubt after organisers were unable to secure enough funding or time to run it.

But at the launch on Saturday, efforts to ensure the festival stays on the Colchester social calendar were started outside Timperley's clock museum.

The committee announced plans to raise the £18,000 needed to stage the festival and the planned fundraising events include a gala weekend at Thorpe Hall, a masked ball in Colchester and an appeal to businesses.

The festival is due to take place on September 13 and 14.

Published Monday, May 19, 2003

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