Bonfire event could face axe after drop in vital funding
THIS year’s bonfire night could see the last Drumchapel Winterfest if organisers can’t find other methods to fund the event.
Winterfest was created around 12 years ago to reduce rogue bonfire and firework displays which saw fireworks launched into the path of inbound and outbound flights from Glasgow airport.
Drumchapel L.I.F.E (Living is for Everyone) who assist Glasgow City Council in organising the annual event have raised concerns with local councillor Paul
Carey about its future.
They claim that if funding from the local authority, which is estimated to have dropped from £30,000 to £13,000 over 10 years, continues to decline, it is uncertain if the festival, will be able to continue.
Winterfest attracts 12,000 to 15,000 people annually. Every year the council faces tough challenges to meet budget targets which means less money is available to fund events like this.
Winterfest is primarily funded by the local authority and other external organisations including Drumchapel L.I.F.E.
Dougie
Taylor, from
Drumchapel L.I.F.E, said: “There is a risk to Winterfest, and it would be a great loss to the community if we couldn’t continue. We have been assisting the council with the festival for 12 years. If funding continues to dwindle it might be hard to keep going.
“The event has benefited the community and reduced trouble on the streets at this time of year.”
Councillor Paul Carey has said that with funding down from last year it seems that 2020’s festival will be a challenge to run.
He said: “I am of the option that the winter festival is in real danger of not going head next year if we are unable to secure more funding.
“Over the last decade the winter has seen over 120,000 people attend.
“Winterfest has helped control rogue bonfires and fireworks in the North West of Glasgow. If it can’t continue, then I fear we will go back to the dark days.”
A council spokesman said: “We work with a large number of partners to deliver the event and will begin discussions in the early part of next year on how we can continue to deliver best value for the local community.”
This year Winterfest will run on Tuesday, November 5.
A DRIVER left another motorist badly hurt after going down the wrong side of the road.
Craig Grimley ploughed his Mazda 2 into Usman Qureshi’s Volkswagen Golf in October 2017.
Prosecutors also said the 34-year-old was driving at “excessive speed” at the time of the incident in Glasgow’s Crow Road.
Grimley, of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshirte, had been due to stand trial yesterday.
But, he instead pleaded guilty to a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
No further details of the crime were given during the hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court. More information is expected to be heard when the case calls again next month.
It did emerge, however, that Grimley has a previous conviction for driving while uninsured.
The case was adjourned for reports.
‘‘ It would be a great loss to the community if we couldn’t continue