Published: Wednesday, 21st July, 2010 3:30pm
"Viking Festival has been hit hard by funding cuts"
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Many people in Largs will find it disappointing that, as your report "Viking Festival loses funding battle" records, local councillors voted to reduce the Viking Festival's funding this year.
Since the demise of the Brisbane Queen Festival and the Jazz Festival, the Largs Viking Festival is the only remaining annual festival in Largs. It is a much anticipated event in the local calendar, local business benefits from the increased visitor numbers and it adds a bit of excitement and colour to the end of the tourist season. In this, the 30th year of the festival, we are planning to present an ambitious programme of events, and obviously need as much help and support from the community as we can get. The cut in our funding hits these plans hard, but we can assure the people of Largs that the Festival will go ahead despite the cuts.
I have to say that I found your report slightly confusing. You state that "North Coast councillors agreed to reduce funding", but the only councillor that you actually name in the report is me, and I certainly did not agree with the reduction in funding. For the record, and to avoid any confusion, there were three councillors at the meeting; myself, Alan Hill and Elizabethe Marshall. I was unable to vote because, as Chair of the festival, there is a conflict of interests. The cuts to the Largs Viking Festival funding were carried by 2 votes to nil.
Councillor Alex Gallagher
Chair, Largs Viking Festival Committee
Have your say. .
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3773
Unregistered User
Jul 22 10 12:03
Comment: 12547
This is an ugly situation that seems to be motivated by a lot of "personal interest" from at least one of the councillors...
It's definitely good to see Alex clearing his name as the bogeyman in this... Maybe there should be a little more investigation on the precise funding allocation and who says "no", where the money ends up going, why the Carpark is leased out in very odd agreements and precisely WHO is (singly?) responsible for not wanting Largs to attract more visitors (and consequently money). The town is suffering enormously as year on year I can see - and hear from businesses - how much harder it gets to survive in what used to be a "Destination" town. Now we're just a "Thoroughfare".
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chris
Unregistered User
Jul 22 10 12:11
Comment: 12548
Well said Alex, thanks for clearing that up!
Keep the festival alive!
Our home is getting more boring all the time, we gotta keep something fun and entertaining for everyone!
Maybe if less cash was spent on those stupid road markings and one-way nonsense we'd be better off!?
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DerM
Unregistered User
Jul 22 10 12:11
Comment: 12549
what a shame... it's the only thing happening in Largs the whole year and they want to let it die too... Is there a way for people to donate? Largs is a beautiful wee town and it's a shame to see it slowly die...
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Missy
Unregistered User
Jul 22 10 12:14
Comment: 12550
Selfish corrupted people! This car park lease story is a disgrace. They should be ashamed of themselves for spoiling it for everybody.
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Jupiter
Jul 23 10 07:00
Comment: 12593
Perhaps public servants (for that is what they are) Hill and Marshall should be given the opportunity to enlighten the electorate, by who's consent they hold office, as to the reasons for their decision.
There may be perfectly valid reasons for this funding cut, then again it may just be a whim.
Over to you, Councillors.
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Biggles
Unregistered User
Jul 25 10 13:42
Comment: 12623
If this is the quality of your public servants in Largs then it is time for the public of Largs to reclaim what is rightfully theirs; the debate about the future prosperity (cultural, social, financial....) of their town. Exposing these narrow interests is what a local paper should help to do. If Largs is to prosper, and their is much to celebrate, we need public representatives that make this case in a balanced but energetic way for the people of Largs.
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Grahame
Jul 26 10 10:44
Comment: 12639
It's refreshing to see intelligent comments posted on this topic instead of the usual rants from some of the regulars. If anyone wants to make a donation, just call in to see Lorraine at the computer shop in Main Street. She is a sponsor and is also trying to raise funding for the Festival in the business community. Another way to help is buy our Raffle tickets. The three top prizes are a Sightseeing Tour of Largs from the Air, a 20" x 16" portrait on canvas by Anna Conway and Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at the Brisbane House. There are always the bucket collections during the Festival.
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brendan
Unregistered User
Jul 26 10 20:44
Comment: 12644
Isnt evryperson facing "funding cuts"
Apparently the amount of money that is available to be spend by the largs comon good depends on the interest rates - as we all now this is little at present and so all the grants must be less
Anyway Cllr Gallagher as a member of the labour cabal on NAc must have known that all expenditure by NAc was likely too be cut this year and should stop moaneing and get on with it -
Grahme is right - get on with fundraising from other soarses
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Butchcannon
Unregistered User
Aug 3 10 16:13
Comment: 12830
This will be the first year i've come to Largs for the Viking Festival, all the way from Nottingham, and having spent almost £400 on car hire and hotel accomodation for the few days I'll be there I sincerely hope the funding cuts won't ruin the event plan. I must admit I'd never even HEARD of Largs until I read about the Viking Festival and I dare say I'm not alone. Here's hoping my first visit to Largs won't end up being my last.
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