An extra-ordinary meeting has been called for Midsomer Norton Town Council for March 20 and from the agenda, councillors will be asked to consider a grant to the Outfield Festival.

The application is for money to partly help low-income families get a ticket to the festival, all organised by volunteers.

The application explains :" Outfield Festival is a run as a sub-committee of the Cricket Club, raising its own funds for operating through sponsorship, stall holder pitch fees, ticket sales and bar takings. Profits from the event support both the cricket club and provide seed funding for the next years festival (band deposits). 2022 as our second festival was again a huge success, attracting not only a large local crowd but also people from around the country, from as far away at Scotland, Manchester, and Liverpool.

A key feature of the event is the family friendly vibe for which we have had much positive feedback.

The festival in 2002 expanded the festival with more facilities and activities. In particular for physically disabled members of our community with a dedicated viewing platform, and free carers tickets. We also delivered a bigger family area for the younger audience with a silent disco, bubble disco, crafts, soft play, musical instrument workshop, brass band workshop, crockery smash stall, hobby horse derby, loose parts play, chalkboard art area, face and glitter paintings, selfie zone and more.

We also introduced a chill out/quiet zone recognising the growing number of children affected by autism, anxiety, ADHD and other hidden disabilities. We are acutely aware that as a ticketed event, the council's support needs to be more than just sponsorship towards the running costs and are proposing a targeted use of the grant to support families and in particular families on low incomes who may otherwise not be able to attend the event.

We introduced a family package ticket this year when tickets launched which gave 2 any age children tickets for free alongside 2 adult tickets. This has been hugely popular, although has come at a cost to the festival of over £2,500 children's tickets given away for free. "

In the application they have asked for £3,000 - half of which would be used to provide discounted ticket vouchers for families on low incomes, half as capital towards the running costs of the festival.

They add : " We are all volunteers that spend hundreds of hours between us providing the town with a fantastic event and raising funds for the cricket club to continue to promote it's children's and women's teams in particular. "

The meeting, open to the public at the council offices in The Hollies Midsomer Norton, and which begins at 7pm, will also discuss any plans for town celebrations of the coronation.