Funding boost for Borders events
Monday, November 26 2007
Two Scottish Borders events are to get a £38,900 boost next year, thanks to EventScotland’s regional events programme.
The Melrose Sevens (April 10-13) will get £25,000 to provide a wider programme to celebrate the event’s 125th anniversary.
And Borders Book Festival, one of the UK’s premier literary events (June 19–22), will receive £13,900 to support new marketing activity aimed at attracting more visitors to the area.
Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said: “This is a very exciting time to be involved with events in Scotland and I’m delighted to announce the funding investment which will allow these events to continue their development.
“The growth of events and festivals within areas such as the Scottish Borders is really important in helping to sustain the rising reputation that Scotland as a whole is gaining for staging events. It’s also important to recognise that successful events act attract visitors to the area and boosting the local economy.”
Melrose Rugby Football Club President, Colin Ruthven, said: “Next year is a very exciting one for the Melrose Sevens, marking the 125th anniversary of an event that has helped to spread the word about rugby and the Scottish Borders across the globe.
“We’re delighted with the support we have received from EventScotland and are planning a comprehensive programme to enable us to promote the tournament locally and to raise its profile outwith the area and encourage more visitors to the region.”
Paula Ogilvie, Co-ordinator of the Borders Book Festival, added: “We’re thrilled that EventScotland is supporting our event in 2008. The Borders Book Festival is already considered to be one of Scotland’s most friendly and vibrant literary events. This funding will give the Festival a real opportunity to grow and to bring new visitors to Melrose and the Scottish Borders. ”
Scottish Borders Council has helped both events to get funding from EventScotland. Its Events Team offers support and guidance to organisers in similar situations who want to develop their events.
The next deadline for applications to the programme is February 8, 2008, and is open to events taking place between July 2008 and June 2009 – more information can be found at www.EventScotland.org
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