Popular Dorset Kite Festival Saved “In Principle”

It may not be a ringing endorsement, but in a financially strapped age where well regarded and long lived events are falling like nine pins, the fact that Weymouth’s late spring based kite festival has been “saved in principle” is probably as much as we can hope for.

The phrase was coined by the organisers of the town’s carnival who are stepping in to help because local authority cuts are placing the future of the event in danger.

Flying high as a kite at Weymouth

The borough council have plans to cut funding for the festival and some of the town's summer fireworks displays in a bid to save about £20,000 a year. Representing the Weymouth Carnival Committee, Mike McManus made the offer at a public meeting.  The council has welcomed the move and a final decision is expected in February.

The authority said by that by cutting funding for the two-day International Beach Kite Festival in May it would save about £9,200, and by also reducing the number of summer firework displays, which take place every Monday in August, to one during the Weymouth Carnival, it would also save £11,300.

Ever on the lookout for a catchy sound bite, Mr McManus said he was as "high as a kite" following the meeting at Weymouth Pavilion and said the group would also be hopeful of  saving the fireworks. He added that the funding for the festival would be raised through sponsorship and said that extra trade stands would be brought in to cover running costs.

Ian Bruce, head of tourism and culture at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said he was "delighted" the committee had stepped in. "Weymouth Carnival Committee has a wealth of contacts and experience which it brings to the table," he said.

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