Organisers of Mint Festival have canceled this year's festival in a shock move, just months before it was due to take place at Leeds' Newsam Farm.
Citing the rising costs of petrol, production and transport in the UK, the team behind the festival has shared their decision to cancel the 2022 event in a long, heartfelt post shared to social media on Tuesday afternoon.
Describing the decision to postpone as a 'painful' one, they went on to explain that as an independent festival they have proudly 'operated without corporate sponsorship' for years - and want to keep doing so in the future.
Explaining the decision to cancel this year's September festival, the post said: "For reasons beyond our control this year now looks to be impossible.
"Almost everything required to put on a festival has gone up in price, from fuel to production, staging, transport and crew to name a few.
"This is something we know you will all be feeling too, so we are not willing to simply pass on our costs."
Organisers continued: "While we have been leading the way for a decade, there are now many more festivals that are competing over similar artists.
"Add in the lingering effect of the pandemic, a nationwide backlog of post-pandemic events, and it paints a difficult picture."
Explaining that they'd rather "hit pause" on this year's festival in order to avoid "squeezing more money out of you for tickets, drinks and food", they went on to reassure festival-goers they will be "working hard over the next year to build our own infrastructure which will ensure we can be more sustainable for years to come."
Image: Mint Festival
The post added: "We're as disappointed as you are with this news. We massively appreciate your support n these testing times because without you there would be no Mint Festival. But we will be back, bigger and better than ever in 2023."
As a result of the last-minute cancellation of this year's event, all 2022 tickets will automatically move over to Mint Festival 2023.
However, refunds are also available in full, and those wanting a refund of their 2022 ticket are being advised to contact their ticketing provider.
Feature image - Mint Festival
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The Franco Manca ‘pizza run’ explained – here’s how you can get a free pizza
If you’ve been wondering why you’re seeing a lot of free pizza lately, we’re here to explain the current Franco Manca pizza ‘run trend’.
And yes, we were the foolish ones enough to have not quizzed any of our jogging chums until now, meaning we’ve missed out on more money and free pizza. Sigh.
Nevermind, though, because at least we spotted it before the end of the month (this being Franco Manca’s main January deal), and we dare say that now you’ve heard about it, you’ll see plenty others popping up on social media with their free slices.
That’s right, it may be a very thin slice with a very long and thin slice, but that is as much of a pizza slice outline as we needed to qualify for the current deal.
Yes, we’re aware that the actual pepperonis on ours are more square than most – listen, we did our best, and we’ve certainly seen people pulling off better overall shaped pizzas than us; that’s part of the fun/and or challenge.
For instance, we didn’t mean for our picture to come out with one long crust running down either…
So, how does it work, you ask? Well, it’s quite simple, to be fair. All you have to do is run a pizza-shaped route (any pizza shape works, by the way), map your route on the likes of Strava or Apple Fitness, etc., then show your creation at your nearest and claim a quid off for every kilometre you run.
As advertised on the ‘Map My Pizza Run’ page on their website, the aim isn’t about putting pressure or hitting a strict target; you simply get rewarded the longer you go.
Here’s a handy example from a local running content creator for you:
There are some stipulations, such as not being used in conjunction with any other offer, one pizza map being valid per person, and the route has to have been run in January. You can find the full terms and conditions HERE.
Oh, and technically, you can do it however you like: run, walk, cycle – you name it. Other than that, we’ve pretty much given you all the info you need to know, so go and get yourself some free pizza.
UK punk icons The Stranglers announced as latest headliner of outdoor concert series
Clementine Hall
The Stranglers have been announced as the third headliner of 'Live At Tileyard North'.
The new two-week series of outdoor live music will take place in central Wakefield, with The Stranglers taking to the stage on Friday 21 August at the historic courtyard of Rutland Mills.
Formed back in 1974, The Stranglers quickly made a name for themselves by embracing the punk movement of the late 70s.
Their first three albums (Rattus Norvegicus, No More Heroes and Black and White) were released within just 13 months of each other, scoring hit singles with ‘Peaches’, ‘No More Heroes’ and ‘Walk On By’.
Image: Supplied
In 2024 The Stranglers’ 50th anniversary year featured celebratory sell-out tours across the world and headline slots at festivals worldwide, including a sell-out performance at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
The Stranglers will be joined by a full supporting line-up including fellow punk legends Buzzcocks as well as alternative-indie quintet FEET and buzzy Irish garage rock trio Adore.
Previously announced Live at Tileyard North headliners include the Vaccines, who will be in Wakefield performing their critically acclaimed 2011 debut album What Did You Expect From the Vaccines? in full to celebrate 15 years since its release on Sunday 30 August, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor who will headline the outdoor venue on Thursday 27 August.
It's safe to say it will be a very fun two weeks indeed, now we just need to wait until summer arrives.
Postcode pre-sale for residents local to Tileyard North (WF1, WF2, WF3, WF4, WF5, WF6) will open at 10am on Wednesday 21 January here with general sale opening at 10am on Friday 23 January here.
Georgina Pellant -
28th June 2022 
