Leith's 10-day community arts festival will not take place in 2012. Loss of charitable and local-authority funding streams means that even Leith's 100-year-old Gala Day and Pageant – scheduled for Saturday 9 June 2012 – is 'unlikely to go ahead without an injection of finance, ideas and local support'.
These were the stark facts put out by the Festival's Board yesterday, which is now calling for Leithers to come to its aid.
'We need ideas and support, investment, sponsorship, donations of time, money and resources and most of all we need the people of Leith to help us save their local community arts festival.' A donation of 1p from each of Leith's 43,000 citizens would be enough to turn things around.
The Board specifically seek volunteers with experience in finance, governance and web design/social media, but 'old fashioned enthusiasm is just as valuable'. Email board@leithfestival.com if you can help.
A public meeting to discuss the problems and find solutions will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 7 December at the Leith Community Centre (12a Newkirkgate).