The downsizing of the annual Woodford Festival has been averted thanks to a �5,000 deal.

Organisers feared having to trim down the fourth annual festival without money from area committee two.

But, despite the council having to respond to tough economic times by tightening its purse strings, councillors agreed to meet a �5,000 request.

It means organisers can now go ahead with planning for the nine-day festival, with as many as 100 separate events likely to be held.

‘Thankful’

Live music, art, poetry, walks, talks, drama, dance, arts and crafts, concerts, theatre, quiz nights and beer festivals will all be crammed into the festival, which kicks off on October 8.

The first members’ committee meeting, to start the planning for the festival, is due to be held on Thursday next week (April 14).

Speaking of the funding agreement made at the area committee meeting at Sir James Hawkey Hall, Broomhill Road, Woodford Green, festival co-ordinator Anny Wortley-Millek said: “We’re very thankful to the area committee.

“We weren’t sure we’d get the funding as we are in hard times and there are a lot of cuts.

“If we had not received the funding, we would had to have done our best but the programme would have been reduced.”

She added: “We aim to make it a celebration of local talent. It’s amazing how much talent there is.

“There are so many groups, choirs, clubs and associations who want to show off their talents and this is a perfect vehicle for it.”

The Woodford Festival Association now has about �12,000, including donations made by visitors to last year’s events, to go towards putting on the cultural showpiece.