KINGHAM Primary School still has not recovered the money it is owed after taking part in a Cotswold festival last year.

The school is one of the many businesses and groups left out of pocket after Big Wheel, the promoters of Alex James’ Harvest Festival, went bust.

In September last year, the school organised a line-up of seven bands to play at the festival but was only paid half of the £14,000 it was owed after the promoter went out of business.

Since their plight became public, the community has rallied round and put on two fund-raising events for the school – a gig in Chipping Norton and a cheese and wine evening with expert foodie Juliet Harbutt.

Former Blur bassist Alex James, who lives in Kingham, pledged to match the funds raised from the gig which in total gave the school a boost of £3,400.

Kate Woodward, chairman of the school governors, said despite there still being money outstanding, they had done better than other creditors.

She said: “There are still some people locally who got nothing back. I’m hoping that Big Wheel will give us the extra instalments.

“We’re not pursuing it anymore. We’ve worked out our finances to where we are now and we have had the extra fund-raising events which people came forward and did for us.

“We are able to retain our music teacher for another year now. Both of those two events helped to recoup our costs. We haven’t heard from them [Big Wheel] in quite a while. I assume they are going to be honourable and send it on as and when.”

Big Wheel spokesman Gerald Krasner said he had no comment to make when contacted by the Cotswold Journal.