Ribble Valley's Testifest charity music festival cancelled amid COVID-19 pandemic

Much acclaimed family charity music festival, Testifest, will not go ahead this year.
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The life affirming event, which raises money for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, was to have taken place at its usual venue of Hartley’s Farm Campsite in Tosside in the Ribble Valley over Friday and Saturday, June 12th and 13th June. Among those set to headline were The Baghdaddies from Manchester and popular upcoming local bands, Clitheroe’s Good Foxy and

Blackburn’s Ruby Tuesdays.

Last year’s Tesifest, which was beset by wind and rain, raised £4,140 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation. It brought the total contributed by Testifest to Rosemere since the charity became the festival’s official charity in 2016 to £22,040. All money the charity receives from Testifest is spent on projects to benefit patients on the Ribblesdale Ward, Rosemere Cancer Centre’s in-patient ward.

Neil and Julie Livesey, who have cancelled this years TestifestNeil and Julie Livesey, who have cancelled this years Testifest
Neil and Julie Livesey, who have cancelled this years Testifest
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Testifest founder Neil Livesey (55), of Alice Street, Oswaldtwistle, who puts on the event with help from wife Julie, sons Jack (29) and Will (25) and friend Bob Riley, is a former cancer centre patient. He spent time on Ribblesdale Ward undergoing treatment for testicular cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in 2010.

During his treatment, Neil, who works for a plant hire company, took strength from remembering happier times, among them weekend camping trips when his sons were small to Hartley’s Farm Campsite. Neil determined to celebrate his recovery by returning there every year and so Testifest began, which in its first three years, raised money for Cancer Research UK.

Neil said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce that Testifest 2020 will not be going ahead. This decision has not been taken lightly and in the current global crisis we have no choice but to cancel the festival. We would like to thank everyone who helped in the planning for this year’s festival and all of the bands who were due to play. For anyone who purchased tickets online, refunds will be issued in the coming days so check your inbox for details. As disappointing it is for everyone involved in the festival, the biggest loss is for Rosemere Cancer Foundation. The profits from Testifest support cancer patients across Lancashire and South Cumbria. We will be setting up a link for donations for Rosemere in the coming days. We look forward to partying in the fields next year, until then stay kind and stay safe.”

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