In tune for rock festival
Thousands of music fans will rock out in the town centre when a two-day festival brings big names to Ossett.
Wakefield Rock Festival 2010, boasting a performance from British band InMe, whose debut album Overgrown Eden reached number 15 in the UK album charts, will take place on Ossett Town FC's Stade France ground, on Dale Street, on May 15 and 16.
Shop owners feel the event, which will raise money for Wakefield Hospice through ticket sales, could help to put Ossett on the map and boost trade in the town.
Paddy Campbell, of Chocoholics, said: "It's great news. Anything that's going to attract so many people and make them aware that the town is here has got to be a good thing."
Coun Terry Brown said he supported the festival putting the town in the spotlight – but pointed to a similar event last summer at Ossett Albion's ground, where noise levels angered local residents.
He said: "If this is going on all day for a whole weekend, there are bound to be complaints about the noise."
But event organiser Wayne Poppleton, 28, reassured local residents that measures will be taken to dampen the noise for people nearby.
He said: "We will be adhering to strict guidelines over the noise level, and we're also going make sure the stages are facing away from the residential areas and towards the bus station.
"The music will finish at 9pm on both nights and there will be a strict curfew meaning the site is completely cleared by 10pm."
Mr Poppleton, who grew up in Wakefield but currently lives in Sheffield, said the venue is perfect for the occasion and could cater for up to 5,000 rockers.
He said: "We've had a look at various sporting grounds in the area, but this one is ideal.
"We'll see how ticket sales go, but we'd be delighted to get 2,000 people in there. It would be a great result for the hospice too."
Insp Sally Fryer, of the northwest neighbourhood policing team, said the team is prepared for any problems the event could create.
She said: "Our planning team has worked closely with the organisers to look at security measures. But we don't anticipate any major problems and are happy to see such a big charity event go ahead."
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Weather for Wakefield
Saturday 19 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North
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Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 12 C
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