It’s with great disappointment that we announce the cancellation of Kempsey Live 2026, which had been planned as a one-day community music festival to take place on Plovers Rise – the largest public space in the village.
Despite our extensive experience in delivering safe, successful events and festivals across the region, and our continued commitment to supporting local charities and raising funds for the village, we have been unable to move forward with Kempsey Parish Council’s current leadership.
For years, the Parish Council has maintained a tight hold over community initiatives, and unfortunately, progress within the village often feels restricted as a result. While we have worked hard to collaborate and bring something positive, inclusive, and enjoyable to Kempsey, our efforts have been met with unnecessary resistance.
We remain proud of what our team has achieved for the local area and will continue to support the community through other projects and fundraising efforts. However, until there is meaningful change in the approach and attitude of the Parish Council – particularly under it’s current chair – it is not possible to deliver an event like Kempsey Live in the way the village deserves.
Thank you to everyone who supported our plans and shared our vision for a vibrant, community-led festival.
kempsey.co.uk did reach out for comment from the Parish Council, however they took to social media to post their response. 👇🏻
We are aware of recent posts and comments regarding the cancellation of Kempsey Live 2026 and wish to clarify the Council’s position.
Kempsey Parish Council has always supported the idea of vibrant, safe, and well-managed community events. We also have a duty of care to represent the interests of the whole community and to ensure any event held on public land meets appropriate standards for safety, compliance, inclusivity, and affordability.
Our objective throughout communication with the organisers of Kempsey Live was to ensure:
• The event remained accessible and affordable to all residents of Kempsey.
• The event be operated safely and in full compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including those of Worcestershire County Council Highways, Worcester Regulatory Services, and the Police.
• The organisers consult with residents living close to the playing fields and take reasonable steps to address any concerns raised.
A hire agreement with standard terms was proposed, with the same hire fee as another local venue. Kempsey Live organisers requested a reduction in the hire fee which KPC agreed, conditional on a ticket price cap, reflecting the ticket price proposed by the organisers.
The event was cancelled by Kempsey Live shortly after receiving KPC’s agreement to their request.
We have been and remain open to constructive dialogue. In fact, our offer to lease Plovers Rise for Kempsey Live remains open, should the organisers wish to reconsider or discuss alternative arrangements.
It is disappointing that an agreement could not be reached this year, but we remain committed to supporting positive initiatives for Kempsey. We reject any suggestion that the Council is resistant to progress or community-led projects. Our record shows ongoing support for a wide range of local events and improvements.
We encourage respectful and factual discussion on this matter. Misinformation and personal attacks on social media can be damaging to our community spirit and do not reflect the values we strive to uphold. We sincerely hope there will be opportunities for future collaboration and thank everyone who has contributed ideas and support for community events in Kempsey.
It is just so disappointing when Kempsey is lucky enough to have a perfect venue and the local talent to deliver something stupendous that it is let down by an over cautious Council.