Town events under threat if sponsors not found

Sunday 15 April 2018

The Town Centre Partnership is looking for business to help with sponsorship so that it can continue to deliver a programme of events during 2018.

The locally based charity organises events in town throughout the summer months including Candie concerts, the visiting French markets and the Town Carnival, but some of these may be cancelled if funding is not found.

Like many charities it relies on funding from generous donations and sponsorships and at the moment find funds are so low that it is facing the real possibility that some events may have to be curtailed, despite them being popular annual features.

Executive Officer of the Town Centre Partnership, Jack Honeybill said: "We have no specific sponsor as we have managed over the years to cover costs including funding the Town Carnival with many local businesses sharing these costs through ongoing commitments."

"For the carnival, our first priority is to cover the cost of erecting bunting throughout the Town which with the hire of a cherry picker and operative will cost £1,000. As volunteers support the professionals costs are kept to a minimum."

Pictured: Jack Honeybill

Mr Honeybill continued: "The second problem is our store at Candie gardens in which we keep the chairs for use by the public for Candie concerts on Sundays plus all our Carnival equipment; gazebos, notice boards, stands, extension leads and collecting buckets. The shed is now ten years old and deteriorating and we have ordered a new one through Stan Brouard who have given us a discounted price. We are looking for £2,300 to cover these costs and will place a sponsorship plaque on the door of the shed if any business comes forward."

The Town Centre Partnership hopes to put the shed up before the Candie season starts on 6 May.

Pictured: A previous concert at Candie

This year the Town Centre Partnership is continuing to provide entertainment when cruise ships carrying 3,000 or more passengers are in port and Batif is sponsoring the first half of the season which starts on 4 May. Mr Honeybill said: "Unfortunately the second half of the season which starts on 1 July, does not have any sponsorship and unless we can find £1,000  the entertainment will have to stop."

The charity is hoping that a fundraising event on 7July will produce some funds to help towards other events later in the year which require funding such as the market square performances on Saturdays, but basically all the charity does in town to provide entertainment and make St Peter Port a real hive of life is under threat if funds are not forthcoming.  

Any businesses or individuals who think they may be able to help are asked to email Mr Honeybill.

Pictured main image: Bunting in town for the Town Carnival