Sadly, RIVERfest 2006 was robbed at the last minute of its backbone - the music weekend which had taken place each year since 1992 and out of which the whole festival grew. Just four weeks before the event was due to take place, we learned that Maldon District Council funding would be very much less than in previous years and only 1/5th of the amount that we really needed. So, despite the offer of continued generous support from Burnham Town Council and the Co-op, and the fact that so many musicians and helpers were prepared to give their time for free, we just didn't have anything like enough to make ends meet. Needless to say this was very disappointing to the organisers, everyone who was looking forward to this event, and the many excellent bands who were hoping to play.

Despite this disappointment, the RIVERfest events which did take place in Burnham during June were a great success. The first really warm Sunday of the summer saw the River Rats in fine form aboard their floating stage - fishing vessel Maverick. This was followed by the first visit to RIVERfest of the Essex School of Samba who treated revellers outside the White Harte and Anchor hotels to some lively Latin percussion.  Throughout the afternoon The Quay was packed with happy people enjoying the sunshine, music and relaxed family atmosphere.  

The second Burnham Art Trail was an even greater success than the first, with people from all over Essex coming to Burnham to view (and buy) the work of 19 local artists. A diverse range of artwork - including paintings, digital imagery, textiles and sculpture - was on display at venues all around the town, including Burnham Museum, various shops and a garden. This was the second event in 2006 to showcase the work of professional local artists: in March, an excellent BBC Anglia series called Coastal Inspirations looked at the work of Burnham artists, including Tracy Saunders, Sue Spiers and sculptor Mike Barter, all of whom had work in the Art Trail.

As for the future of the music weekend (probably the last survivor of National Music Day), we will continue to seek other sources of funding. Meanwhile, if you have any suggestions or can help in any way please contact us.