THE ORGANISERS of the Droitwich festivals have said they are determined to ensure their events stay on the calendar and still go ahead as planned, even if the amount of funding they receive from the town council is cut.
The people behind events including the Droitwich Spa Food and Drink
Festival, Salt Fest and the Droitwich Ale, Cider and Perry festival spoke to The Standard following recommendations by the authority to slash the amount of money available for town events by half.
Patrick Davis, who organises the Droitwich Food and Drink Festival, said: “The reality is, if they have not got the money, then there’s not a lot they can do about it.
“I’m determined the food and drink festival will go ahead.”
And he added: “Although preparations are at a very early stage, we have already had some fantastic support offered locally.”
Simon Berry, from the 4Shires Festivals Group, is one of the key organisers on several events which take place on the Droitwich Festival calendar. He echoed Mr Davis’ calls.
“We totally sympathise with the position the town council is in and appreciate the funding cuts local authorities all over the country are facing.
“We are grateful for any support the town council can give,” he said.
And he added he was confident of finding alternative sources of funding.
“We need to make sure we maintain the festivals to ensure Droitwich continues to thrive and becomes even more popular as a tourist town – which is what we are all striving for.”
The latest requests for financial assistance from festival organisers have totalled £12,950 but, in order to meet that figure, it is estimated the town council would be forced to put its council tax precept up by 4.4 per cent and it was felt by members that would not be fair on council tax payers.
In addition to that, a number of the festivals which are held in Droitwich each year and have received money, have been shown to either break even or make a profit.
At the last Droitwich Town Council meeting it was acknowledged events and festivals had been well-supported over a number of years to the detriment of the council’s financial situation and it was suggested those events should now be self-financing.
Members also commented the town council funding, in many instances, was also only meant as a ‘start-up’ to get the projects off the ground.
The recommendation, which will be put forward to the town council’s resources committee on December 7, is for the budget to be set at £6,000, with the maximum award for each event being £500. It does, however, outline that £1,000 could be awarded in very exceptional circumstances.
The resources committee will then make a recommendation on the estimates to full council a week later, on December 14.
