Published: Saturday, 17th July, 2010 9:30am
Festival's battle for cash
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This year's Viking Festival in Largs has lost a key battle before even beginning after being hit by a big funding cut.
North Ayrshire Council's North Coast committee met at Millport's Garrison House last month to discuss funding for the annual festival, but Councillor Alex Gallagher opted to delay their decision until a later date.
As a result, in Irvine last week, the committee met again to consider applications to the Largs Common Good fund, as well as a community development grant.
However, the festival committee were left disappointed as North Coast councillors agreed to reduced funding.
The Viking Festival is a major calendar date on the Largs calendar boasting a fireworks display, continential market (pictured) and Viking Village.
Festival heads had initially hoped to be awarded £3000 for the erection of their Viking Village on Largs seafront - described as "the focal point of the festival" - as well as a £7000 contribution towards its organisation.
The council's Corporate Director for Finance and Infrastructure, Alasdair Herbert, advised the North Coast committee that the total anticipated costs would be £19,300, while the fee income, based on a four year average, plus community development grant, was expected to amount to £14,000.
But he also pointed out that the festival's balance carried forward from 2009 was "at least £6,300".
Furthermore, finance officials suggested that the amount festival heads had applied for from the Common Good was not required in 2010, and so their grant from this fund was eventually decided as just £3000.
The North Coast Committee also agreed that only £2000 should be paid in the form of a community development grant.
A statement read: "This amount reflects a council's proposal in 2009 to reduce grant awards on an annual basis. This was to encourage the festival group to explore funding from other areas whilst still working with the council.
"The amount recommended is on the condition that the Largs Viking Festival Group pay North Ayrshire Council's Ground Maintenance section the outstanding sum of £2,500 for the erection of the Viking Village in 2009."
This week, festival organiser Grahame Ross told the 'News': "Two months to go and we've lost £3,500!"
Have your say. .
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T Marshall
Unregistered User
Jul 17 10 11:07
Comment: 12468
Gallagher's an unelected puddin. A guttersnipe of the lowest order. Seriously damaged goods as a person; seriously damaged goods as a public figure. He's effectively Murdoch in a suit. Gallagher hates Largs. As a crimson marxist, he'd rather see this town totally severed from the distribution of tax monies via Cun' House then taxed even more punitively than it currently is. If he could, he'd nepotistically redirect the money to the east end of Greenock and the Port.
Always remember, when it comes time to vote.... it doesn't matter a toss because diddies like Gallagher wangle their way into public office without it.
With the exception of Hill, why does this town have such terrible public representation?
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basher
Unregistered User
Jul 17 10 13:45
Comment: 12471
T Marshall, your just as bad. An arrogant, stuck up Tory bully.
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Jupiter
Jul 17 10 15:04
Comment: 12474
I must confess to some confusion arising from Mr Marshall's comments.
If "Gallagher" is Alex Gallagher, then I cannot help but notice that he attracted some 1549 first preference votes in 2007, rather more than the 719 that Mr Marshall achieved, and unlike Mr Marshall, he was most certainly elected.
........but there again, maybe we are victims of a cruel hoax. 'T Marshall' describes this town's public representation as terrible (apart from Mr Hill), but do we not have another councillor by the name of Mrs Marshall.......... A frosty atmosphere in Greenock Road, perhaps.
Perhaps the allegedly terrible Mrs Marshall can put our minds at rest.
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brendan
Unregistered User
Jul 18 10 12:59
Comment: 12483
Sorry you are all the victim of a hoax - I am told that the "T Marshall " referrred to above is NOT the husband of Cllr E Marshall .
But hey this is par for the local rag - not known for its accuracy and now its online comments pages are the ame / Just proves you can't believe what the scribblers organs publish
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largonian
Unregistered User
Jul 19 10 06:41
Comment: 12493
must have been an SNP follower hoaxing, reading between the lines...they will do anything to stay in power...long live Katy and sorry about Allan Wilson.....he tried his best......if it was not T Marshall who worte, and I were him, I would be tempted to get an apology from the paper.......or sue fordiffammation.....but as the editor takes no criticism, no chance !!!
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fairgo
Unregistered User
Jul 21 10 11:04
Comment: 12527
And why pray tell Largonian would the hoaxer be from the SNP. I think you may be a little confused as its well known its only the Labs who will do anything to try and grasp on to power - not very successfully it must be said. As for the action of A Gallacher esq - nothing unusual there I would say.
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