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The Bristolian behind a brand new festival
Creatives wanting to create real change are invited to a beautiful Cornish hotel and beach over the weekend of May 1 and 2.
GoodFest may be taking place in Cornwall, but it’s also a festival rooted in Bristol.
Bristol-based festival founder Ben Akers says that he hopes to host a festival of hope, positivity and learning, with the idea for the festival first coming to him four years ago when he lived in Australia.
is needed now More than ever
This is GoodFest’s first year, hosted in a beautiful hotel just north of Newquay. The choice of Cornwall was carefully considered, accoding to Ben: “Bristol was too big, we needed something escapist, and Cornwall is a really creative place.”
Cornwall is also be an isolated place, often struggling economically outside of the busy summer season, and the festival is working with Invest in Cornwall to ethically and sustainably bring more business, and money, into the county.
The Bedruthan Hotel, an eco-friendly hotel, will host 100 festival-goers. Ben’s goal is for attendees to “learn more at this little hotel in Cornwall than they could anywhere else in the world”.
It’s a big ask, but 43-year-old Ben is certain that GoodFest can live up to great expectations.
“It’s about how ideas can change the world,” he tells Bristol24/7. “We’re bringing together people from Cornwall and Bristol, from throughout the country and globally.”
Speakers already announced include the Eden Project’s co-founder Sir Tim Smit, Spring/Autumn/Winterwatch presenter Gillian Burke and Hugo Tagholm of Surfers Against Sewage.
Good Fest promises to be an inspirational environment for “anyone creative who wants to use their powers and skills for good”.
Find out more and book tickets at www.goodfestcornwall.com
Read more: Preview: How The Light Gets In 2019
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