Colne Blues Society are a group of volunteers who came together in the autumn of 2021, when the future of one of the most important and long-standing Rhythm & Blues Festivals in Europe was in doubt. Our aim is to preserve the festival years into the future, for the benefit of all in the Colne community, the wider music-loving communities, local charitable organisations, schools, and those involved in creative arts education. We hope to ensure this great festival retains its iconic status and continues to inspire future generations of creatives, just as it has inspired all of us at CBS.

CBS is a not-for-profit organisation and receives no direct funding. We rely on fundraising and sponsorship to cover the cost of merchandise, advertising, infrastructure and administration. Any profit we make is re-invested into the festival. Our work and time are given freely. Our volunteers worked extremely hard to put together a fringe programme for the 2022 festival that was bigger and better than any the festival has previously seen. Our work on the 2023 festival is now underway, and we are delighted that Colne Town Council have invited us to take on the role of Artistic Director for the entire festival, including the main stages. We hope to bring you a spectacular event in 2023 but our costs are substantial and we need your help.

Thanks to your support, our Just Giving campaign raised nearly £1000 in 2022. Please help us to get to £6000 in time for the 2023 festival.

We hope that, like us, you see the potential for this amazing festival, in existence now for over 30 years, to become a driving force behind community development, charitable activities, the nurturing of local creative talent, and educational initiatives. Please give what you can to make 2023 the best yet, and to help secure the future of the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival. Thank you.