The organisers of a community festival have vowed to go ahead with the event despite being unsuccessful in securing a grant which forms a large part of their funding.

The organisers of a community festival have vowed to go ahead with the event despite being unsuccessful in securing a grant which forms a large part of their funding.

Bosses of The Happing Festival, one of north Norfolk's biggest community events, appealed earlier this month for help with funding, after being unable to secure a National Lottery Awards for All grant of �10,000, which makes up roughly half the festival costs.

In fact, they were worried they may be forced to cancel a concert in Stalham Church with keyboard player Rick Wakeman who lives at Scole, near Diss.

They have since reapplied for the lottery grant, but again were not successful.

However, they are determined to carry on with the festival, which has events taking place from June through to September, and keep Mr Wakeman as their headline act.

The rock superstar, and original Grumpy Old Man, will be hosting a one-man show at St Mary's Church, Stalham, on Saturday, June 12.

Actress Judi Daykin, who is chairman of Happing Partnership, said: “It was unfortunate we did not get the lottery funding, but we have been given some from Red House Youth Projects and Norfolk Community Foundation, which will ensure we can fund three weeks of summer youth drama workshops.

“The other events we have booked we will be covering from the takings at the box office. We will definitely be having Rick Wakeman as the headline act, which we are really pleased about.”

Among the other events taking place are an evening with Sid Kipper at New Victory Hall in Neatishead, on Friday, September 10, a classical concert with St Martin in the Fields at St Catherine's Church, Ludham, on Saturday, July 10, and a screening of local film, The Broads, at Stalham Town Hall, on Friday, July 9.

The Amphion Consort, a young duo from Cambridge, will be playing baroque music on antique instruments at St Helen's RC Church Hoveton on Saturday, September 11.

As well as the grants from Red House and Norfolk Community Foundation, Norfolk County Council has also given a grant of �750, which will help secure a number of the summer community events, including a Father's Day walk, and a local art gallery exhibition.

For the full schedule and tickets, call 01692 650821, or pick up a brochure from the Happing Shop, local businesses, restaurants, churches and tourist information centres.