Harwich Festival of the Arts gets £13,000 boost to help it keep running for at least another year

The popular festival, which includes music, art, live performances and events, will this year take place from June 24 to July 3.

Funding has now been secured for the continued employment of a part-time festival administrator.

Harwich Town Council has backed the scheme to the tune of £5,000 and Tendring Council and Essex County Council are each giving £4,000 towards the post.

Artistic director Peter Davis said the funding has come as a major boost for the festival and gives it the breathing space to continue to attract further investment into the town.

“The festival acts as a platform for young people and the wider community to develop their artistic output and interest,” he said.

“Although we have an exciting Festival for the ten days we aim to continue our artistic and community development throughout the whole year.

“It is important that we can continue with the post of the Festival Administrator and are grateful for the significant contributions of all three councils.”

The festival is also supported by a number of organisations including Arts Council England, Tendring Education Trust and local businesses.

Giles Watling, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, added: “We are pleased to be able to support the Harwich Festival of the Arts which is doing a great deal to promote arts and culture to help improve people’s quality of life in Harwich.

“It provides valuable opportunities for members of the community to express themselves and realise their full potential through various activities and gives them the chance to learn new skills.

“We hope that by being able to carry on with the post of administrator that the event will continue to go from strength to strength.

"This festival is of enormous benefit to Harwich and the wider district of Tendring.”

The festival Administrator will carry on operating out of the Harwich Box Office, which is based in the community hub at Harwich Library.