Farmer James apologises for food festival fiasco

Blur's Alex James has sent a personal apology to creditors of a festival held on his farm in Oxfordshire, after the promoter Big Wheel Promotions, headed up by Shabs Jobanputra, went into administration. James hosted one of two Harvest festivals on his farm in September. Telly presenter and real life farmer Jimmy Doherty held a sister event on his farm in Suffolk. In a letter to over 100 creditors, including artists, James wrote: "I am appalled by Big Wheel's financial management of the festival held at my farm, which has left many out of pocket. Please be aware that I have no relationship with Big Wheel, beyond allowing them to stage the Harvest Festival at my farm and - regrettably - to use my name to stage the event. At no stage was there ever any indication that they would be unable to meet their costs. The news has come as a complete bolt from the blue". Ticket sales for the 2012 edition have now gone offline.

Food festivals go bust

Big Wheel Promotions, the company behind the farm-based “Harvest Festival” franchise and fronted by record label veteran Shabs Jobanputra, has gone into administration. The company launched two editions of the foodie fests this year, one fronted by Blur bassist Alex James on his farm near Chipping Norton and the other by television presenter and real life farmer Jimmy Doherty on his farm in Suffolk. A number of creditors remain unpaid, including a primary school near Alex James' farm who had booked local talent for the event. eFestivals says it's under the impression the planned 2012 Harvest festivals (for which early bird tickets had already gone on sale) will still go ahead, though neither Alex James, Jimmy Doherty nor Big Wheel Promotions have as yet made any comment on the matter.