Last updated 16:01, Wednesday, 23 July 2008

WEST Lakes Renaissance has outlined plans to invest more than £130,000 into local projects. The company will splash the cash on events which take place across West Cumbria.

festival of fools: Help with funding

In total £138,175 will be donated to all kind of attractions across the region including the Festival of Fools at the historic Muncaster Castle, music from renowned rockers Status Quo in Whitehaven, community project Paint the Town Red and a brand new youth festival in Maryport.

Denise Smalley, project manager at West Lakes Renaissance, said: “The events programme is designed to celebrate local communities across West Cumbria while at the same time attracting visitors from far and wide.

“This helps raise the profile of the area, brings money into the local economy and creates new opportunities for local people to develop skills and job prospects in the cultural sector.

“In West Cumbria we are looking forward to the fun and frolics at the ever popular Festival of Fools while we are welcoming new events like Paint the Town Red, which will celebrate Workington’s growing arts scene among residents of all ages.”

Out of that £138,175, West Lakes Renaissance will give £20,000 to Whitehaven Music Festival, Workington’s Paint the Town Red and Maryport’s Youth Festival will each receive £15,000 and the Festival of Fools will be given £12,000.

And for the first time this year West Lakes Renaissance is setting aside £5,000 for training, so events are successful and self-sustainable.

This can be used to help organisers stage the event and also maximise their exposure to wider audiences through improved promotion and marketing.

Mrs Smalley added: “This money is there to help events grow and become self-sustainable, while at the same time improve skills levels within the growing cultural sector we have across West Cumbria.”