THE plug is being pulled on a popular community music festival on Portland after seven years.

Organisers of the Big Grove Summer Festival say the time is right to call it a day – for now.

It is hoped the event may be relaunched in future.

The festival, which developed from a summer fete at the former Grove Infant School, has helped to raise around £10,000 for local good causes.

A statement from the organisers said: “The event team have come to a collective decision to call it a day at Grove Fest HQ for the time being.

“Our small and dedicated team have each found life taking them in different directions this year and all agree that after a successful and somewhat eventful seven years, the time is right.

“In our time, we have developed from a school fete, into an award-winning community music festival and have given in the region of £10,000 to local charities and voluntary groups, enhancing the lives of others and really bringing the island together.”

The statement paid tribute to firms and individuals who helped to make the event a success, including musicians and entertainers who gave their time for free.

The statement added: “We are working on a little after show party which we will bring to you later in the year.

“And look out for new Big Grove Summer Festival adventures that may well come your way in the future.”

A deluge forced the last-minute cancellation of the 2012 event, although an indoor celebration was held later that year.

Last year’s event was also hit by problems due to trouble pinning down a site, but it went ahead in September at the Oval site off Grove Road.

Sarah Whiteside, one of the organisers, said: “While the unprecedented weather in 2012 and last year’s issues with land access have certainly had bearing on our decision, ultimately we feel as a team that we have achieved our collective goals with the festival.

“Our fundraising aims and aspirations for community cohesion have been both successful and thoroughly enjoyable and we are happy to leave on a high, as such.

“We have had such a great deal of support and we are grateful to everyone who played a part in making all those amazing memories and making the festival a huge success.”