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£60k 'missing' from food festival £60k 'missing' from food festival
(about 14 hours later)
Organisers of a popular food festival have asked police to investigate the apparent disappearance of £60,000.Organisers of a popular food festival have asked police to investigate the apparent disappearance of £60,000.
John Les Tomos, chairman of the Mold Food and Drink Festival in Flintshire, said the money was owed to suppliers who have not been paid.John Les Tomos, chairman of the Mold Food and Drink Festival in Flintshire, said the money was owed to suppliers who have not been paid.
He said two suppliers had already commenced legal action and this year's festival could now be in doubt unless funding could be secured.He said two suppliers had already commenced legal action and this year's festival could now be in doubt unless funding could be secured.
Mr Tomos replaced former chairman Greg Shankar, who resigned last month.Mr Tomos replaced former chairman Greg Shankar, who resigned last month.
Mr Tomos said the 2008 festival was a "huge success", with about 13,000 visitors spending £300,000 in the town.Mr Tomos said the 2008 festival was a "huge success", with about 13,000 visitors spending £300,000 in the town.
Things didn't look right so we thought we had no option but to invite the police to have a look at it John Les Tomos, Mold Food and Drink FestivalThings didn't look right so we thought we had no option but to invite the police to have a look at it John Les Tomos, Mold Food and Drink Festival
He said he and other members of the committee thought all suppliers had been paid, and the festival had made a profit of approximately £1,300, which was to be ploughed back into the 2009 show.He said he and other members of the committee thought all suppliers had been paid, and the festival had made a profit of approximately £1,300, which was to be ploughed back into the 2009 show.
However, he added: "We had a phone call in February from one of the suppliers to say: 'Do you know we haven't been paid?'However, he added: "We had a phone call in February from one of the suppliers to say: 'Do you know we haven't been paid?'
"When we investigated the accounts it would appear there's no money there to pay them.""When we investigated the accounts it would appear there's no money there to pay them."
He said further investigations showed approximately £60,000 was still owed, including £15,000 to Flintshire council and nearly £20,000 to a public relations firm.He said further investigations showed approximately £60,000 was still owed, including £15,000 to Flintshire council and nearly £20,000 to a public relations firm.
He added: "Things didn't look right so we thought we had no option but to invite the police to have a look at it."He added: "Things didn't look right so we thought we had no option but to invite the police to have a look at it."
Mr Tomos said the festival received a £33,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly Government last year, and there were now fears it might not be considered for further funding.Mr Tomos said the festival received a £33,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly Government last year, and there were now fears it might not be considered for further funding.
He said: "It's not 100% certain there will be a festival in 2009 because it will depend on future support from the assembly government.He said: "It's not 100% certain there will be a festival in 2009 because it will depend on future support from the assembly government.
"Hopefully we can actually mount a festival, but it may be the damage done is irreparable."Hopefully we can actually mount a festival, but it may be the damage done is irreparable.
"Next week we will put in the grant application as per usual and endeavour to show them that we've taken cast iron steps to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."Next week we will put in the grant application as per usual and endeavour to show them that we've taken cast iron steps to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.
"We have set up completely new bank accounts. There's complete and utter transparency.""We have set up completely new bank accounts. There's complete and utter transparency."
'Fresh blood''Fresh blood'
Mr Tomos became chairman after his predecessor Greg Shankar, a director of the Bryn Awel Hotel in Mold, resigned.Mr Tomos became chairman after his predecessor Greg Shankar, a director of the Bryn Awel Hotel in Mold, resigned.
Mr Shankar told BBC Wales news online he resigned because he had run the festival for three years and "you need fresh blood".Mr Shankar told BBC Wales news online he resigned because he had run the festival for three years and "you need fresh blood".
He said running the festival was a big responsibility and he had ploughed much of his own money into staging it.He said running the festival was a big responsibility and he had ploughed much of his own money into staging it.
When asked if he knew about suppliers being owed £60,000, he replied: "It's news to me. I know nothing about it at all."When asked if he knew about suppliers being owed £60,000, he replied: "It's news to me. I know nothing about it at all."
A North Wales Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that we are reviewing a matter referred to us regarding the Mold Food Festival. We can make no further comment at this stage."A North Wales Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that we are reviewing a matter referred to us regarding the Mold Food Festival. We can make no further comment at this stage."
Dave Heggarty, chief regeneration officer with Flintshire council, said: "The council can confirm that discussions have taken place with a representative of North Wales Police and that an amount of £15k is outstanding to the council."Dave Heggarty, chief regeneration officer with Flintshire council, said: "The council can confirm that discussions have taken place with a representative of North Wales Police and that an amount of £15k is outstanding to the council."
Arfon Edwards, director of Quadrant Public Relations in Mold, said: "I can confirm we are working with the organisers of the 2009 Food Festival, and will do all we can to ensure the event is a success, if it is able to proceed.
"We feel it is not appropriate to comment on financial matters involving our clients."