Diss and District Development Partnership Ltd

This is a year-long festival commemorating the arrival in Diss in 1504 of Poet Laureate John Skelton and the times and area in which he lived. Over 30 events are planned, ranging from poetry readings to a Tudor fair, concerts, street activities, workshops and a schools project. The events are aimed at all sections of the town and its neighbouring parishes and will provide the town and locality with economic benefits from tourists.

LEADER+ funding will enable the project to provide part time employment for two people for the duration of this festival to ensure co-ordination and smooth running of the events. It will also enable more high profile events including a launch event lead by the current Poet Laureate Andrew Motion and a grand finale of local poets including Anthony Thwaite and Louis de Bernieres.
Many other events will draw heavily on the commitment of local people. Schools, historical groups, singers and dancers will all be showing off their skills, whilst local businesses are also helping out – a local baker is reintroducing a traditional Diss gingerbread, whilst a brewery is making a special Skelton Ale for the festival.

The festival was launched at the beginning of 2004 and events will run throughout the year. Organisers have also deliberately built in additional time over the early part of 2005 to carry out a detailed evaluation of the festival. This will aim to capture the experience gained and to assess the possibility of organising additional festivals in future years.

The festival is being coordinated by the Diss and District Development Partnership, which recognises the potential of such an event to benefit the town in many ways. Attracting visitors from outside the area will enhance the reputation of the town and bring economic benefit. At the same time, the opportunity for residents to participate in a varied programme of activities should increase local pride in the town’s heritage.

Details of the festival and its events can be found in the free, full programme, available from the festival office by telephoning 01379 644514, or by visiting the festival website.

In line with the general LEADER+ objectives, this project will:

· 1 support a cultural/heritage event
· Provide employment for 2 part time staff
· attract 4000 additional visitors
· ensure 200 local people participating in cultural/heritage events
· ensure 3000 hours spent by volunteers on community related issues/activities
· led to 30 events/demonstrations
· develop 2 new products derived from local materials

Grant awarded

Broads & Rivers LEADER+ has offered grant aid of £45,523 representing 53% of the project’s total costs of £85,288. Match funding has been obtained from the Local Heritage Initiative and EEDA, whilst the project will also receive some income via the sale of souvenirs etc.
Contact:

David Vince, Skelton Festival, skeltonfestival@dissdevpar.co.uk