The Guild (Dumfries) CIC have successfully bid for funding to support and promote young and emerging talent within Dumfries and Galloway.
The Community Events Fund encourages grassroots events to take place across the region to help with social and community recovery in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdowns.
The Guild, producers of the popular monthly Dumfries Market Festival, have used some of this award to purchase Busking Kits from local independent retailer John Douglas Music in order to help and encourage local performers to add to the festival atmosphere at their events.
Director Kirsten Scott said: “Dumfries Market Festival is so much more than a market. Performance, music, workshops, demonstrations and street theatre are all part of what makes our markets such unique and special events.
“We are enormously grateful for this award from Dumfries and Galloway Council, as this will help us to continue to grow our event, support young local performers to promote themselves, build confidence and hone their skills, whilst entertaining the community and encouraging people back into the town centre.”
John Douglas and Alec Rafferty, of John Douglas Music, were happy to help put together a complete package of busking equipment including battery amps, microphones, leads and mixers.
Fellow Guild director Leah Halliday added “John and Alec are huge supporters of the local grassroots music scene and the aims of Dumfries Market Festival to bring added footfall to the town, so we are delighted that they’ve been able to help us in this way. The ‘Shop Local’ message has never been more important as we emerge from lockdown and supporting one another’s businesses is not only crucial but integral to rebuilding our communities.”
Councillor Andy Ferguson, Chair of the Council’s Communities Committee said: “The Dumfries Festival Markets make such a difference to the town centre when they take place. I know of local people and visitors who love them and have bought beautiful gifts there. The Council’s Community Events Fund made 39 grants for small scale festivals and events across Dumfries and Galloway and local communities are seeing great benefits from this initiative. It’s pleasing to hear that Dumfries town centre businesses are supporting the Market Festival.”
Main picture: Rory Buglass playing at Dumfries Market Festival Busk Stop (Picture Tom Telfer).