£50,000 fund launched for events and festivals
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
Local community groups can apply for a share of a new £50,000 fund set up by Calderdale Council to help put on events and festivals in the area.
The Council has launched the second round of grants under a scheme set up in March 2016 to help boost tourism, trade and morale after the Boxing Day 2015 floods.
Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade
Organisations can apply for up to £5000 each. In the first round of grants, the Council awarded over £11,000 to five community groups to help them hold events and festivals to celebrate all that's great about Calderdale.
Cllr Susan Press, Calderdale Council's Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said, "Calderdale hosts a huge range of events and festivals across its towns and villages all year round. They bring communities together and are one of the many things that make our area special, attract visitors and bring in trade.
"Our first round of grants was really successful, and we want to build on this by giving more community groups the chance to apply for funding. We've helped some fantastic events and festivals in the last few months, which have attracted thousands of visitors and proved that Calderdale is a vibrant place to be.
"We want this to continue, and have introduced a new round of funding as part of our work to support the local economy as it recovers from last winter's floods. If you have an idea for an event and need some help to get it off the ground, please get in touch."
Alternative Christmas Day - Photo: © HebWeb
The first round of grants helped to kick-start popular events across Calderdale - the Brighouse 1960s weekend, 'A Reet Royd Waater Do' in Mytholmroyd, the Handmade Parade in Hebden Bridge, Elland Carnival and Mytholmroyd Arts Festival. The Council also awarded £4000 for Hebden Bridge Community Association's Hebden Royd Alternative Christmas.
Community groups have until Thursday 1 September to apply for funding. Find out more and apply on the Council's website: Community festival and event fund.