Street festival axed as the cash runs out (From The Argus)

Street festival axed as the cash runs out

12:13pm Saturday 14th June 2008

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A street festival which attracts thousands of visitors has been cancelled due to a lack of funding and support.

The news that Hanover Day will not go ahead this year will be seen as a huge blow to Brighton's summer celebrations calendar following the cancellation of the Kemp Town Carnival last month.

Hanover Day, due to be held on July 13, attracted a record 4,000 people last year and for the last 10 has been a key date in the community's calendar.

With the cost of staging the event rising to £14,000 a year and dwindling support from both sponsors and volunteers its organisers, the Hanover Day Association, have reluctantly pulled the plug.

Chairman Hugh Jones said it was a difficult decision but he would rather have no event than one which was not up to the standard of previous years.

He said: "We are really sorry. We know lots of people in the community really enjoy it and were looking forward to it but we are not prepared to compromise on a poor quality event, we want to do it properly.

"It's such a great event, it's like the urban equivalent of a rural country fair. We have performers, displays, food, music and all sorts of things going on.

"But over the past two years there have been a number of members of the organising party who have retired and no new members have come forward to replace them.

"We do have great support from a lot of people, the council and various organisations but it's just not enough.

"We have tried to find either a benefactor or a sponsor who would be willing to put up a large amount of the capital to fund the event over the next three to five years but we've not been successful."

Mr Jones said there was still time to save this year's event but it would need swift action.

Hannah Barker, project director of Brighton Carnival, said the loss of a second community event in the city in as many months was a great shame.

She said that Brighton Carnival, which was officially launched at a party on Thursday evening and has regular funding from the Arts Council, would be going ahead and had a bright future.

She said: "It's such a shame to lose Hanover Day as well. It was a fantastic event.

"I went there last year and it had a great atmosphere and people were really enjoying themselves.

"These events are vital parts of community life because they get the community together and help people to feel good about themselves."

Plans for next year's Hanover Day are still underway.

An open meeting is being held at The Hanover Community Centre, Southover Street at 7.30pm on June 26.

There, the HDA will explain the situation to the community and invite them to help ensure the event has the best chance of going ahead.

Inquiries regarding volunteering, sponsorship or donations can be emailed to HanoverDay2008@googlemail.com.

Is community spirit dead? Have your say below.

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