Date: 18 June 2009 BROCKLEBANK ASKS MINISTER TO LOOK AGAIN AT FUNDING FOR ST ANDREWS FESTIVAL Speaking today in a debate in the Scottish Parliament on the subject of Scotland’s Festivals, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Ted Brocklebank, commended the STANZA poetry festival on its growing success and urged the Culture Minister, Mike Russell, to look again at funding for the St Andrews Festival.
Ted Brocklebank said;
“It’s not just the capital which showcases the best of our culture. I’ve enjoyed festivals across the nation’s geographic spread. From Shetland with its Up Hellya fire festival to Hawick’s Common Riding, from the booming Pittenweem arts festival in my native Fife to places like Stornoway, Portree, Oban and Fort William whence I make an annual pilgrimage for the Gaelic mod.
“I like the quirky events. STANZA, the festival of poetry at St.Andrews, which has seen a doubling of attendees since it was launched a decade ago and the folk festivals at places like Auchermuchty and Keith, where we can still listen to competing bothy balladeers. Muchty will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year. Another event celebrating its 30somethingth is Aberdeen’s International Youth Festival. I recall being there at its inception and my colleague Nanette Milne has been a staunch supporter and trustee over the years.
He later went on to ask the Minister about funding. Ted said;
“Of course all these events can only be maintained and built upon if funding is secured, and especially so in this Year of Homecoming. My local poetry festival could not exist without support from, among others, Fife Council and the Scottish Arts Council and I hope the Minister will ensure the SAC’s successor, Creative Scotland, will continue to play a role in allocating adequate funding to these innovative festivals.
“And in this regard, can I ask the Minister to look again at the financial arrangements for the St.Andrews Festival which faces uncertainty over funding in this year of Homecoming. Surely the town named after our patron saint, the alma mater of our sainted First Minister, can’t be left strapped for funds for its local festival as the Year of Homecoming reaches its climax on St.Andrews Day.”
| 
