Delighted organisers of the popular three-day festival near Carlisle, Cumbria will receive a £35,000 Lottery-funded Grants for the Arts Award - to support the festival’s migration from Carlisle City Council management into ownership by a newly formed independent company, Brampton Live Festival Ltd. The company has been set up by Ken and Sue Bradburn, who founded the festival in 1995.

Co-director Mick North said: "This is fantastic news and absolutely crucial to the future of the festival. Without this grant, we’d be facing the possibility of scaling the festival down or even taking a year out. We’re really pleased that the Arts Council have recognised the festival’s achievements and potential with some serious funding. Now it’s all systems go to deliver Brampton Live 2009 and we hope supporters old and new will get behind it.”

Carlisle City Council’s £30,000 commitment to the festival for the next two years was instrumental in securing Arts Council support. Council Leader Mike Mitchelson, who is also Brampton’s local councillor, said: "Brampton Live is a well established event and by working with the new management company we can ensure it develops and grows. This year’s event signals a new era for the festival and we look forward to working with, and supporting, Brampton Live Festival Ltd.”

The Cumbrian festival will be buzzing again, returning to its home at Brampton’s William Howard Centre from July 17-19 and offering music on three stages, workshops, camping and a festival market. And Co-director Ken Bradburn is confident they will be offering another spectacular mix of home-grown and international artists.”

Award-winning singer and West End actress Barbara Dickson is already confirmed as the Sunday night headliner. Says Ken: "It’s fabulous news. Some might think she’s a more mainstream performer than they’d expect to see at Brampton Live, but she has impeccable folk credentials from her early career and she’s increasingly returning to her roots.”

Besides Barbara, there's this little lot to keep you entertained -

Drever/McCusker/Woomble (with special guests Heidi Talbot & Boo Hewerdine), Andy Fairweather Low, Peatbog Faeries, Oysterband, Mary Gauthier (USA), The Spooky Men's Chorale (Australia), Eliza Gilkyson (USA), Chris While & Julie Matthews, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, Chris Sherburn & Denny Bartley, Emily Smith Band, Mabon, Elbow Jane, The Lancashire Hotpots, Heidi Talbot Trio, Keith Donnelly, Jude Simpson, Tom Kitching & Gren Bartley, Poppets Puppets, Thrice Brewed, Forcenre, Niamh Bodle, and Jonny Kearney, with more to be announced - including some major headliners.