Pay up - or the moon will stay in canal FOREVER
‘TAX’ PLAN SUGGESTED TO REVIVE VILLAGE LUNAR FESTIVAL
THE people of Slaithwaite must pay for their past crimes with a new tax.
At the beginning of the 19th century, rum smugglers stored their barrels under the village’s canal bridges and then returned at night to fish them out.
One night, they were caught by the local militia and claimed to be innocently raking the moon, which was reflected in the water.
The people of Slaithwaite celebrate this legend every other year with a Moonraking Festival – but now the time has come to pay the piper.
Last year, the festival did not go ahead due to lack of funds, so organisers have come up with a new way of ensuring the 2021 event and all future festivals are properly funded.
The Lunar Levy is a small “tax” payable at more than 30 shops, pubs and cafes around the village. When people make a purchase, they can add 1% of the total price to a Lunar Levy collection box at the counter or bar.
David Brook, who devised the scheme, said: “We aim for the Lunar Levy to become part of everyday life in the village, and we will create a tonguein-cheek narrative linked to the original Moonraking story of the good folk of Slawit avoiding their taxes on the goods thrown into the canal - and that this is their comeuppance.
“While everyone understands that the levy is voluntary, this scheme proposes a village-wide, light-hearted conspiracy to pretend that it is mandatory.
“The Lunar Levy can restore the light to the lanterns - but there’ll be no lumination without taxation.”
It is hoped the “tax” will be welcomed by the people of Slaithwaite and create a sustainable, long-term model for funding the nationally-renowned festival.
Kay Wrench, a Trustee of the Moonraking Charity, said: “Many people do not realise what goes in to organising and staging the Moonraking Festival.
“It has built up over the years and attracts hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators to the finale, and we are responsible for making sure that they have an exciting, creative and safe experience - and that costs money.
“Generations of local people have enjoyed taking part in the festival over the years and, with the Lunar Levy and other fundraising schemes, we hope to secure the experience for future generations as well.”
Wendy Beattie, owner of The Gallery, said: “We are absolutely up for supporting the Lunar Levy. I have such good memories of attending the workshops with my family. It’s a great profile for the village and brings added footfall.
“The Festival has helped to make Slaithwaite the vibrant, creative place it is today.”
The 2021 festival would take place in February and includes a week of lantern-making workshops ahead of a well-lit and uniquely beautiful parade.
If anybody would like to help to organise the festival, meetings are held on the first Saturday of every month at 4pm, at Acorn and Pip, on Carr Lane.