D&G Council cuts festival funding by 42%
21 Feb 23
by Billie Jones
Malin Lewis performing to a parked marquee in 2022
Despite a national award nomination - Event of the Year finalists at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in 2022 - and being Contribution to Tourism award finalists at this year's Awarding Wigtownshire, D&G Council's Major Events Strategic Fund has slashed this year's festival funding by 42%.
In a funding announcement issued earlier this month, Councillor Linda Dorward, Chair of the Council’s Communities Committee said, “The Council has hit the ground running with the implementation and delivery of the new regional Events Strategy. We have a terrific partnership with the region’s events organisers, and the forty three grants we have signed off will be tremendous for community confidence and tourism in our region.”
Councillor John Campbell, the Vice-Chair of the Communities Committee said, “The Council is determined to make Dumfries and Galloway the best place in rural Scotland in which to plan, manage, deliver and visit great festivals and events. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, we are doing everything we possibly can to support our local economy and aid community wellbeing.”
Project Co-ordinator & Festival Director Nathon Jones said "Last year, Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival built hugely on its reputation among the traditional music & dance community, and the success it has made of hosting this festival over the past 8 years; delivering an event that was acknowledged, nationally, as being one of the best in Scotland in 2022. That success would not have been possible were it not for last year's award from Dumfries & Galloway Council's Major Events Strategic Fund."
"Nominated alongside traditional music festival giants such as HebCelt and Shetland Folk Festival, this unique festival held its own, highlighting just how fantastic Dumfries & Galloway and its communities are in planning, managing and delivering great festival events."
"Any funding that the festival receives - that mid-Galloway receives - is always hugely appreciated. Whilst £5,500 may be far short of the £9,540 the festival was awarded last year, it's a success in itself to receive any award. It is disappointing to see Newton Stewart's funding cut so significantly this year though, particularly so after the success of last year."
"As ever, we'll deliver the best possible event we can this year, with the tools that we have in front of us. With bookings already coming in thick-and-fast - sales are noticeably up on last year, likely due to the coverage that the festival has received as a result of its award nominations - it's looking like Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival is going to deliver again as it heads towards its 10th year celebrations in 2024."
Tickets are on sale now for the 9th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival which is taking place over 7th-9th July 2023. Click the link below, or select the "Tickets" option in the menu bar.
Book Festival Tickets