LOCAL BUSINESSES STEP UP TO SAVE FESTIVAL PARADE
LOCAL BUSINESSES STEP UP TO SAVE FESTIVAL PARADE
Following an appeal last week by Altrincham Today and The Messenger, Altrincham & District Festival committee are delighted to announce that its Grand Parade has been saved and will continue its unbroken 41 year run on Saturday 7th July. Festival organisers would like to encourage more participants to enter the Parade which will be led as usual by the Court Leet and followed by the amazing Starchaser Rocket, vintage and classic vehicles, Greater Manchester Police, two Samba bands, a bagpiper, and a variety of community groups, musicians and businesses. There is a ‘Movies’ theme to this year’s parade so spectators should look out for their favourite movies and characters.
A relatively small shortfall in funding is being bridged with the help of two Altrincham business owners and public donations. The Festival committee were initially approached by Bilal (Billy) Mhariam, owner of the popular Mhariam restaurant overlooking Goose Green. Billy moved his restaurant from Timperley to Altrincham this year and realises how important it is for the community to back the Festival and save the parade. Billy is therefore match-funding all donations made by his customers.
Billy’s friend, Jonny Hanson, owner of Altrincham’s iconic Oxford Road Café, is also asking customers for an optional 50p donation and will be match-funding the proceeds. The appeals are hoping to raise around £2,000 and will be running until June 11th.
The Festival Committee has also received a £300 donation from Tesco Altrincham which resulted from the sale of second hand books in store and £111 from the Claims Guys who raffled some Ed Sheeran tickets. Public donations can be made by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bernie-leyden
The parade is FREE to enter for all businesses, community groups, schools and voluntary organisations. There is also still time for people to apply for stalls on the Festival Showground and a full programme of entertainment will begin at 11am, ending at 5pm. Booking forms for both the parade and showground at : http://www.yourfestival.org.uk/index.php/booking-forms
Festival co-directors Neil Taylor and Sarah Walmsley have expressed their gratitude to the public and business community. Sarah said, “The future of Altrincham Festival is assured when all the elements of our community participate so we are delighted that well-respected business owners like Billy and Jonny have stepped up to galvanise support. Our committee of volunteers has been working hard to raise funds and has achieved a great deal, but without any sponsors and having been knocked back for a large grant, it has been a bit touch and go this year. Thankfully, we can now concentrate on making this year’s event the best ever. We are revamping certain elements of the parade and showground this year and hope that everyone involved has a fabulous day.”
