PENRITH Town Council has called an extraordinary meeting to consider a £4,000 grant towards a replacement event following the decision to move the Winter Droving to Carlisle.
Councillors will meet on Wednesday, 14 October, to consider an application from Penrith Business Improvement District (BID) for funding towards The Gathering, an event being organised for Saturday, 24 October, with community partners and members of the Penrith Arts and Culture Group.
The Winter Droving, organised by Eden Arts, was moved to Carlisle after a £20,000 funding shortfall. With the event no longer taking place in Penrith, the BID has been working with local businesses, arts groups and community organisations to put together an alternative for the same date.
The council meeting papers show The Gathering is expected to cost £14,824, with £10,035 in income secured to date, leaving a projected shortfall of £4,789.
The BID is asking the town council to contribute £4,000 towards entertainment, including three roaming street acts, performers at the town’s bandstand and acts at Penrith Playhouse.
The council report breaks down the proposed grant as £1,500 for roaming entertainment, £800 for bandstand performers, £200 for sound and lighting at the bandstand, and £1,500 for acts at the Playhouse.
The BID has also launched a crowdfunding appeal and is continuing to seek additional funding. The report warns that there remains a risk the event could be cancelled and suggests councillors could agree to the grant, with payment made in the week after the event.
The plans for The Gathering include music and spoken-word performances at the bandstand through the afternoon, family entertainment, circus activities, acrobats, stilt walkers and bands with local connections at Mansion House car park, with activity planned until 8pm. Further live music is planned at Penrith Playhouse later in the evening, alongside roaming performers and outdoor family activities.
An arts and crafts fair is also planned at St Andrew’s Church, while Potfest in the Pens has extended its free bus service.
The BID had initially asked the town council to provide the full £5,000 previously committed to the Winter Droving. Its subsequent funding request outlined support for the entertainment programme, with the council officers are recommending town councillors consideration of a £4,000 grant.
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