Bridport News

Lyme Regis: Fossil festival needs £12k to avoid cutbacks

By Adrianne Maslen

10:41am Wednesday 17th March 2010

FOSSIL Festival organisers fear this year’s event will have to go without some major activities unless they raise the remaining £12,000 needed.

They say the cost of putting on the event in Lyme Regis and Charmouth for thousands of people is ‘significant’ and relies on securing grants.

The fifth Lyme Regis Fossil Festival takes place from April 29 to May 2 and is expected to cost around £90,000.

A festival spokesman said: “The festival receives grants from many sources as well as hundreds of hours of volunteer support from Lyme Regis residents and traders. All this is vital to make it a largely free event for all to enjoy.

“But just the costs of the marquees and security are significant, let alone the programme. Among others, the festival has received financial support from the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site team and Jurassic Trust, as well as Natural England.

“But the festival may have to go without several key components, as the team still needs to raise about £12,000 and time is running out fast.”

Festival director Kimberly Clarke: “We are delighted with the incredible support that we’ve had from all our partners, who really enjoy the festival and are all keen to return.

“The Fossil Festival is recognised as a landmark event.”

Participating organisations include Lyme Regis Museum, and Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. Local businesses can also help to fund the festival website, the free minibus service between Lyme and Charmouth, or the programme of talks, fossil walks, and rock pooling trips.

Visit www.fossilfestvial.com, or contact the organisers on info@fossilfestival.com or 01297 445021.

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