Each year, Deddington Festival entertains around 1,000 people through a range of events designed to cater for all ages and interests.
Organised entirely by volunteers with a passion for the arts and supported financially by local businesses and individuals it is, and has been throughout its 14 year history, an event run by the community for the community.
Each year, the Festival attracts visitors from a wide area and generates significant income for local businesses.
Yet, surprisingly, this popular annual event with a remit to ‘enhance the community spirit of the parish of Deddington and surrounding villages through an annual Festival of music, performing arts, visual arts and community events which entertain and inspire’ will not this year enjoy the support of the Deddington Parish Council.
A request for financial assistance to meet the not inconsiderable cost of staging the week-long celebration has been turned down by the Council on the basis that it contributed £500 to the Festival last year and therefore should not be expected to do so again. Last year was the first time that the Parish Council has ever contributed to the costs of the Festival in its 14 year history. This from an organisation that boasts it has £500,000 in the parish coffers!
As the Deddington Festival Committee, we believe that Deddington Parish Council should actively support an event on an annual basis that is enjoyed each year by so many of its parishioners. If you share our views, please take a moment to sign our online petition or visit us at our stand at the April and May Deddington Farmer’s Market to show your support.
Thank you!
Deddington Festival Committee
