It was confirmed in December 2004 that Leeds University's Bretton Hall Campus will close in 2007, with teaching and research currently carried out at the campus being moved to Leeds. The University's vice-chancellor, Professor Michael Arthur, said the Bretton site - which has produced such luminaries as John Godber and the actors behind the hit BBC series The League Of Gentlemen - is no longer sustainable financially or academically.

Reacting to this, the organisers of the Festival - students on the campus - say they're wanting everyone in the local area to get involved in the event to show the role the Hall has played, as well as highlighting the wealth of local unsigned music talent in Wakefield and West Yorkshire.

Rob Timmer: "There should be something for everyone!"

Bands all across the county - and even as far afield as London and Glasgow - have already signed up for this Bretton bonanza which is planned for Saturday 30th April - Sunday 1st May 2005.

The event's organisers say that whatever the eventual fate of the site, they want to show how they've appreciated living and studying there.

Student Rob Timmer says: "The idea of the festival sprang out of the minds of a couple of music-loving third years...namely me and my friend Jennie Orwell-Paine. We thought our campus has everything necessary to host a festival so why not!? It just took us a while to figure out how to do it. With some great support from people at Bretton Hall and the enthusiasm shown for the idea in the local community, the idea really came to life. The University have been great, letting us propose our ideas to them and partly funding the event."

Bretton Hall is set in the spectacular surrounding of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Rob says that he's really enjoyed his time at Bretton and wants to give something back, especially with the campus's fate still looking uncertain: "Bretton is a really supportive and creative environment in a beautiful location. It also has a lot of talented people there who I knew would love this idea and whose courses would be beneficial in getting the event off the ground. The festival really turned into a professional endeavour with the help of a third year arts manager, Samantha Keane, who took this on as her final year practical project!"

Bands who've already signed up for this Wakefield megagig include Bam Bam Franks, Preparation H, Trailer Park Trash, Red Jetson, The Stanleys and A Close Last.

Rob Timmer says he wants the event to be a huge 'thumbs up' to the local music scene: "We love the music scene in Leeds but we thought it would be good to have a quality music event somewhere a bit different and encourage a wider spectrum of people to get involved with live music. We want both students and members of the local community to come along and enjoy the event. We're going to be showcasing a lot of young talent, lending our support to local bands and music students.

It's local! The stars of The League Of Gentlemen started off at Bretton Hall

"There should be something for everyone as I'm currently recruiting a wide variety of performers from ska metal to African roots. It's been great to see the number of people willing to get involved in this and come and play. I'm really pleased to be able to provide this event for bands and people around Wakefield particularly as it is where I, and a lot of Bretton students, have spent the last three years and somewhere where there is a call for this type of event."

And Rob says he just wants everyone to go away from the Festival with a smile: "Even if Bretton Hall is due to close, we want to go out with a bang and show everybody what a great place it is and still could be!"

The full list of bands confirmed
for the event so far is:
The Old House, The Bazaars, Mr Charming, Last Letter, Kilq, Bam Bam Franks, The Stanleys, Spree, Return To Zero, Flies Are Spies From Hell, Toby Carter, Preparation H, Ben, Becky, Ben Mowat, Damn Skippy, Simon Wyndall and Nena Mager, Trailer Park Trash, Smuggler Republic, I Like Trains, Red Jetson, Tract, Theo, Mi Mye and A Close Last.

In a band? Want to take part? E-mail us here!