A GOVERNMENT U-turn has meant good news for the Three Choirs Festival after proposals threatening the future of the historic event were scrapped on Monday.

Organisers of the 275-year-old festival expressed their concerns after a new Licensing Bill was unveiled requiring places of worship to have an entertainment licence to stage live performances.

The Bill could have meant the end of events such as classical concerts and nativity plays, but Culture Minister, Kim Howells, explained that places of worship would be exempt from the new rules.

He said: "The exemption will enable religious institutions and music societies to flourish. It will bolster the measures already contained in the Bill that are designed to foster live music, by opening up greater opportunities for musicians to perform.

"Concerns were raised about our original proposals for licensing regulated entertainment in places of worship by a range of groups.

"We've listened to their concerns and taken them on board. I'd like to thank them for their input which has helped make this a better Bill."

Other exemptions

Dr Howells also announced the Government's intention to exempt village and community halls from any fees associated with activities licensed under the Bill.

He said that church and community halls are integral to community life and provide a social hub to many rural and urban areas.

"I'm determined to enable them to continue to play this essential role," he added.

Administrator for the Three Choirs Festival, Liz Pooley said: "It is a huge relief - I am pleased to hear it. One of the best things is that it means we can involve some of our local churches.

"Some of them are very good to us and it does mean we can bring people to them and we can continue without having to worry about extra financial burdens."

Director of music and organist at Hereford Cathedral, Geraint Bowen said: "This is excellent news for the Three Choirs Festival, and also for the wide range of musical events which take place at the cathedral and at churches throughout the diocese all the year round.

"We are delighted that the Government has listened to the concerns which so many people have expressed."