THE Severn Revels could have found a permanent home at Hewelsfield.

After a successful weekend of music making and an attendance figure estimated at between 5,000 and 6,000, Frank Williams, chairman of the Forest of Dean District Council's planning and leisure committee, told the Review: "I can't think of anywhere better for it to go."

"I trust and hope no residents were disturbed. I travelled round the area on Sunday and met a number of local people. No-one found it overwhelming," he said.

But whether or not the council is able to fund the Festival to the tune of £20,000 in the future remains in the air.

The next Festival would be in 2002 and with local government expenditure under the microscope in view of massive increases in the rates, every penny has now to be carefully accounted for.

"The Festival will form part of ongoing discussions about the future budget," said Coun Williams. "But it quite clearly makes a successful contribution to the arts," he said.

Hewelsfield parish councillor Ken Secrett said that while the Festival had been held without major problems, local people remained firmly in opposition to the site.

"With many thanks to the police it went off very well but our objections remain. The site is obviously unsuitable," he said.

Forty acts from round the world helped the weekend go with a swing and there were no reports of trouble.

There was a large police presence and there were over 40 arrests for drug related offences.