TWO Sidmouth town meetings will be held this week to gain business support and voluntary help for next year s FolkWeek.

TWO Sidmouth town meetings will be held this week to gain business support and voluntary help for next year's FolkWeek.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 17, businesses from the town and surround area, with local authority representatives, will attend a presentation by the directors of Sidmouth FolkWeek Productions Ltd.

It follows a similar meeting last November, when many businesses pledged their support for the new-look festival.

This year's meeting will focus on the sustainability of FolkWeek; to ensure the internationally-recognised festival has a future.

FolkWeek managing director, John Braithwaite, said: "Last year, local businesses recognised the interdependence between the town and local area and the Festival, and the extent of its importance to the local economy.

"The support we received indicated recognition of the growing alliance between us. This year we are focussing on the creation of a sound, long-term future for the festival through a value partnership with business."

Only those invited will be able to attend this meeting and any member of the business community who has not received an invitation can contact Steve Thompson (01395) 577394 or email Thompsons@bulverton.freeserve.co.uk.

On Wednesday (November 18) a meeting will be held at 7.30pm at The Bedford Hotel, Esplanade, aimed at establishing a network of volunteers willing to help with a range of tasks during the year, leading up to the 2010 festival.

There will be a chance to meet festival organisers, including Mr Braithwaite and the festival's artistic director, Joan Crump, to hear about plans for next year's FolkWeek.

A FolkWeek spokesman said: "The festival enjoys a great deal of support from local residents.

"We want people to give us their views on FolkWeek, as it has developed over the last five years, and help us to promote FolkWeek better within the area."

Anyone interested in attending the meeting can contact press@sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk or phone Derek Schofield on 07732 264291.