Annual Blues Music Festival held overlooking the sea at Scarborough Spa.
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Run by a small group of volunteers lead by Mark Horsley, Liv Cawston & Tariq Emam this festival has proven a huge success
Ok more refunds posted out today and sorted through personal Facebook messages. So we're down to a handful for whom their telephone number is no longer available. If you know of anyone who has not been refunded and has not heard from us. Please as them to reach out via pm from this group. We're nearly there.
Ok I have now rung round everyone who has yet to be reimbursed. More cheques out in the post today to those I got through to. Some phone numbers are unavailable or not answering. If I have not spoken to me and believe you are yet to be reimbursed, please message me through Facebook. I don't want to put my phone number on here but need a two minute phone conversation with you to get you paid.
Hi again. I've managed to speak to 20 unreimbursed people over the weekend. Cheques will be going out to those 20 this week. I'll get onto the final batch with Mark next weekend. We're getting there folks. Rich Adams
Hi folks, Mark is well enough for me to start helping with remaining refunds. I will be ringing the 33 of you left to pay over the coming days. If you get a call from an unknown number it might be me.
Message to those yet to receive a refund. I have seen your messages and letters. I have just got off the phone to Mark, he is really unwell but is still trying to trickle the refunds back. I am locked out of being able to help as I don't have access to the records or bank account. I'm a frustrated as you. I am trying to help and am very worried about the fact that you have not been refunded, and am aware of cost of living issues. Mark tells me he will keep trying. If that proves impossible over coming weeks I will seek advice about what more I can do to help. I'm determined that you'll get the refund and so is Mark. So sorry. Keep the faith for a few more weeks please 🙏 Rich
Message to the remaining few who have still not been refunded: I know you have heard this before, but we have NOT forgotten you. I've just spoken to Mark who feels his health is slightly improving. I can only rely on Mark to do the funding as I don't have access to the data. Mark assures me he will make a final push to get all refunds made as soon as he has the strength to do so. Following the last customer being refunded and all accounts submitted, we intend to fold the Scarborough Blues Festival company. It's sad but covid and health issues have defeated us. I will endeavour to post something celebratory to mark that occasion as the Blues Festival years have been wonderful. Thank you all for your support.
Folks, I hear the pleas of those still to be refunded. I've messaged Mark and received no reply. Mark is conscientious and so this concerns me. I'm powerless to help other than to nudge and cajole on days when he is slightly better. I'll try contacting Mark another way and report back. Rich
Hi All. I have just spoken with Mark Horsely. I'm informed there are 40 people who have not yet received their refunds. Mark is suffering from a number of health problems which are seriously affecting ability to function. I'm trying to work out how I can help him with the refunds but I don't have access to the records or to the appropriate bank account. The money is there and safe and Mark will refund as soon as he can. I'm deeply sorry and embarrassed that this is taking so long. Right now, all I can do is to continue to push for swift resolution in difficult circumstances. Don't give up on us please. Rich Adams
Hello all. Festival organiser Mark Horsely's health has taken a dip I'm afraid and this is slowing down the final push on the festival refunds. On top of this, I (Rich Adams - the only other remaining director) have come down with Covid-19 and am therefore not in a position to help Mark. Don't give up on us - we have not given up on you. We can only offer our sincere apologies for the delay in the final few refunds, and assure you that they will come.
We are now 80% through all the refunds now. Thanks to everyone for your kindness and understanding. Mark's health is still variable, but he hopes to complete the process in the coming days. Everyone will receive a full refund. Much love.
Another 15 people refunded since our last update. We're getting there. Slowly but surely we're getting there...
Refunds: an update - we are now well into the painstaking task of individually refunding each person who bought tickets directly from the Top Secret Blues Festival Team via Mark Horsely. Around 20% of you have already been refunded. We aim to make this 100% by the end of August.
If you bought your tickets directly from the Spa Box Office you should have been refunded by them directly already (months ago) - if not please chase them and not us.
We're working hard under difficult circumstances (including ill-health), and we will continue until everyone has been refunded. Thanks again for your good will and patience.
Dear Ticket Holders; we have not forgotten you. Our sincerest apologies that most people are yet to receive their refunds. Mark Horsley (Festival Organiser) has been extremely unwell for well over a year. This has prevented him from conducting any kind of work, or even to sit at a computer. Mark has also been self-isolating for the whole of the pandemic which has prevented anyone else working closely with him to help. Please rest assured that your money is still safely held in the Festival account (so safely in fact that we have been having trouble accessing it, to get it back to you). Whilst that is little consolation to you at present; please know that we WILL BE REFUNDING ALL TICKET HOLDERS. It may take us some more time and for that we are really, sincerely, sorry. If you can pass this message on to any ticket holders you know who do not use Facebook, we would appreciate it. Your patience and generosity so far has been humbling. Mark, Rich and the Team.
AN IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM MARK:
Many thanks for your wonderful support over many years, but I regret – SURPRISE SURPRISE - that it will not be possible to go ahead with our TOP SECRET Blues Festival 2021. There is no way we can go ahead, especially bearing in mind the current risks to life from COVID.
However, I had been hoping to bring you some more positive news about the future of the Festival, including the possibility of holding it in 2022 but, once again, I must be the bearer of bad news.
The Spa is not due to open until April 2021 at the earliest and there is no guarantee that it will be open or safe to run the Festival in 2022. I will also be 70 in 2022 and it just does not make sense for me to keep trying to keep the project afloat (or keep retaining your money).
With this in mind I have decided to close everything down and call it a day.
YOUR TICKET MONEY
I will, of course, be refunding all your ticket money in due course. I will also be returning any donations made in 2020.
A PERSONAL MESSAGE : THANK YOU
I have been promoting live music here in Scarborough, as a volunteer, for nearly 15 years and I know many of you have been with me all the way. I would just like to thank you for the kind words, sponsorship, donations and support you gave given me throughout. It’s been a blast but . . . every good thing must come to an end.
Thanks again
Mark Horsley
Voluntary Promoter & Director
Scarborough's TOP SECRET Blues Festival
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I'm sure you will join us all in wishing Mark a happy retirement and thanking him for all his hard work over the years.
If you have any questions or comments please send them directly to Mark.
Thank you.
Scarborough Spa
Scarborough
YO112HD
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