Issue 32 September 2009 £4.75
V Festival security praised
Pride boss warns of cutbacks By Christina Eccles THE organisers of one of the country’s most popular Pride events may be forced to make cutbacks next year if they fail to raise enough money to cover a potential deficit of £50,000. Pride in Brighton and Hove costs organisers more than £300,000 to stage each event and as a year round charity, which aims celebrate LGBT lives, relies on donations from supporters and businesses. In previous years it has coped, but this year – despite raising more than ever in sponsorship support – a combination of the general economic downturn, increased costs and lower donations on the day due to bad weather, have led to an appeal to help them get through the winter and start plans for Pride 2010. And if the money is not found by the end of the year, organisers have warned they will have no choice but to scale down next year’s event. CEO Lesley Burn said: “Pride in Brighton and Hove is a major event and costs are increasing year on year. But we have had great sum-
mers and have been able to get through. “This year, the economic climate and an increase in costs has been compounded by a damp weather on the day of the festival, which meant we didn’t get the donations we rely on. This has left us with a potential deficit of £50,000. “It’s a very scary reality. Pride will happen next year and it will continue to be a free event but we may have to scale back our park event. “It would be disappointing for us and also for the city. The event has a massive impact on its economy.” To help raise funds, organisers are appealing to existing supporters to help them out and are also trying to attract new ones. Already over £1,000 has been raised through donations but Lesley said there is still a long way to go. She added: “We have had amazing support but we also need to work with wider supporters and reach out to more businesses. “Those who benefit from Pride in Brighton and Hove need to wake up and see that everyone needs to contribute.”
SECURITY staff working at the Staffordshire leg of the V Festival have been praised by the Security Industry Authority and local police who carried out checks at the event. Investigators from the SIA and officers from Staffordshire Police inspected staff at Weston Park to ensure companies providing security were working legally by only deploying SIA-licensed security operatives. Of the 41 security guards inspected, only one was detected working without a licence. Supt Dave Holdway said: "This is one of the safest music festivals in Europe. This continuing success is due to the hard work and dedication of a number of key agencies, not least of which is the SIA who have given considerable support this year in ensuring that festivalgoers can continue to have full confidence in the protection given to them by the security staff on site.” Man of the moment Peter Andre played a surprise gig during the seventh London Mela, which this year attracted 83,000 people. One of Europe’s largest outdoor Asian festivals, the event at Gunnersbury Park in Ealing featured seven zones of urban, classical and experimental music, DJs, dance, outdoor arts, comedy and exhibitions.
The Main Event is the official magazine of the National Outdoor Events Association