Wanted - sponsor for world-famous canal festival
A CASH-strapped council is begging for help to stage a popular event.
Fears that the popular Kirkintilloch Canal Festival would be a victim of sweeping budget cuts have been quashed . . . for the time being.
Council officials are currently looking to find a sponsor for the annual event held in August.
But deputy council leader Billy Hendry told the Herald that even if a sponsor can't be found this year's festival will still go ahead.
Councillor Hendry said: "If necessary, the event will be underwritten by the council.
"Directions have been given to the external resources generating officer to look for companies that would be interested in sponsorship. The festival has been very popular and gets national coverage."
Last year more than 24,000 people took part in the two-day festival.
Revellers enjoyed activities such as boat trips, fun fairs, live music, fireworks, exhibitions and a street parade. The event was nominated for an Excellence in Tourism award.
It's thought that sponsorship in the region of 40,000 is required to stage this year's festival.
The decision to find a sponsor for the canal festival was announced a last month's council budget meeting. East Dunbartonshire Council has to make savings of more than 8million in the next year.
Robert Wilson, president of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, said the festival was a very important event for Kirkintilloch. However, he has concerns that the council will be able to tie up a 40,000 sponsorship deal.
He said: "It was a difficult decision to make, but they should have engaged with the private sector before they announced it.
"How far outside Kirkintilloch boundaries are they going to look?"
A spokesperson for East Dunbartonshire Council said: "As with all other years we will be working hard to maximise external funding and sponsorship for the canal festival."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Terrified family escape haunted house “horror movie” in Kirkintilloch!
- Spooky goings-on dominate this week’s front page – February 8, 2012
- Kicking up a stink – police, fire and gas engineers scrambled over stench
- Rob Roy houses snapped up by council chiefs
- Old Eagle Inn could become a bar/restaurant in Kirkintilloch
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kirkintilloch
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
