Community orientated folk music festival denied grant aid funding by Government

I have just heard that the Wessex Folk Festival held each year in Weymouth and which packs Hope Square in the Harbour area and local pubs with visitors each year has not been supported by grant aid from any Government organisation.

I find this decision incomprehensible.

In my article which described the dedication of the hard working group of people that have made such a success of the Wessex Folk Festival at Weymouth, I described the economic benefits and regeneration brought by this popular weekend music entertainment that is due to take place 6 - 8 June 2008.

The list of local small businesses in Weymouth that benefit from this popular folk festival is almost endless but includes pubs and cafes, bed and breakfast guest houses, hotels, campsites, fast food take-aways and gift shops.

But there are other non-monetary benefits. The organisers of the Wessex Folk Festival passionately believe in the benefits to the community arising out of the public being involved in performances.

As well as well known musicians and singers, talented but less well known performers are also given an opportunity to play on the main free performance stage in Hope Square and local pubs and bars are encouraged to host joining in music sessions or 'bashes' where the public can bring along their instruments and play a tune or sing a traditional song. The success of this music 'rooted in the community' is plain to see by anybody who has visited the Kings Arms or the Sailors Return during the festival weekend (see below).


In a year when huge sums of money are being spent in Liverpool to turn it into the Capital of Culture, it seems odd to deny this Weymouth folk festival a few thousand pounds of support.

In my view, supporting community activities is much more important for regeneration and has hugely more social value than millions pumped into posh buildings?

What do you think? Please comment, especially if you are one of the hard working organisers who have wasted a lot of time on making grant applications.

If you are a philanthropic organisation or person who believes in worthy projects that help communities achieve social cohesion, I'm sure the volunteer organisers of the Wessex Folk Festival would like to hear from you.

Bye for now

Rob