The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Cash shortage could send medieval fair back to Dark Ages.
Monifieth: Event needs to become self-sustainable
Cash shortages could send the Monifieth Medieval Fair back to the Dark Ages.
The fair, which has been an annual event in the town for almost 20 years, has previously benefited from community grants bestowed by the council.
But with the event now needing to become self-sustainable, organisers have thrown down the fundraising gauntlet to ensure future fairs can take place.
Organising committee member Sheena Cochrane said although this year’s event will definitely go ahead, a reserve needs to be built up to ensure the fair can return next year.
She said: “It’s not necessary to raise the full amount for the year – we are well into the preparations for staging it and
“
We don’t want to start charging people and for them to begin to think it’s not worth their while.
SHEENA COCHRANE
we do have a back-up fund but if we use that then we will have nothing left for next year.
“The overall cost each year is about £3,000, which keeps down the cost for stallholders and keeps it free to attend.
“We don’t want to start charging people and for them to begin to think it’s not worth their while.”
This year’s event is due to take place on Sunday August 12.
The Angus Community Grant Scheme now runs as a scheme that offers up to £1,250 in matched funding to groups who raise money through the Crowdfund Angus website.
An Angus Council spokeswoman said: “In the last year (April ’17 to March ’18) a total of 32 campaigns appeared on Crowdfund Angus, raising a total of £110,872. In all, 21 of those campaigns were eligible for match funding from the Angus Community Grant Scheme and received a combined £24,250.”
She added: “We have not been contacted by the organising committee of this event as yet this year, but are pleased to hear that their fundraising campaign is under way.”