If you analyse the problems to do with this event, then many people believe the main one is people like Peter Winston and not money.
The basis for this wonderful event is a feel good community making lanterns. Many of the very creative lanterns are made in people's homes and workshops costing nothing, the materials for each lantern is readily afforded by the people making them. Thus it is the organisation running the event that costs money in a way that can surely be minimised.
The police, whose involvement is very expensive, are ready to pass over the responsibility for the processions themselves to reliable people who could be volunteers, with the minimal of input from themselves other than to regulate traffic across the A590.
John Fox, of Welfare State International, who was one of the originators of the festival, has commented "The problem can be that these festivals get too big and into the hands people who lose sight of the original objective - a community event". Organisation becomes more important than creative flair.
Is it not time for our creative community to take over again and for power mad people to back off?
We have the potential of excellent guidance from Ness Wilson, of Ulverston Community Arts Network. Facilitators like her are worth their weight in gold . They are the ones that encourage and attract community involvement . These are the kind of people that the town should back with money: they should not be expected to give their valuable talents free.
5 comments:
Geoff,
"SHOP LOCAL"
Yes we have an amazing talent in Ness Wilson.
She should be headhunted and persuaded to pick up the remnants of what is a failing project.
She has been involved with the lantern event and achieved a bumpless transfer from a world renowned art organisation to an event any town would be proud of.
Changes need to be made now.
"THE OTHERS"
Thanks Jack we need to pursuade some notables that this is what we want doing.
Any plan of action to suggest?
- after all this is the time that politicians will promise things in order to get elected.
Let's nail them down with carefully worded promises and get them to sign them.
Then we have a bit of leverage in the future.
I'm getting the impression that the Evening Mail are avoiding publishing a copy of the posting as a comment to the article I refer to above in the Evening Mail - I've been on to David Pickthall and he was supposed to reply - he hasn't.
We may be taking on not only 'the establishment' but the media as well.
Thanks Jack we need to pursuade some notables that this is what we want doing.
Any plan of action to suggest?
- after all this is the time that politicians will promise things in order to get elected.
Let's nail them down with carefully worded promises and get them to sign them.
Then we have a bit of leverage in the future.
I'm getting the impression that the Evening Mail are avoiding publishing a copy of the posting as a comment to the article I refer to above in the Evening Mail - I've been on to David Pickthall and he was supposed to reply - he hasn't.
We may be taking on not only 'the establishment' but the media as well.
How can we support her.
I'll give time and money.
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