Future of festival uncertain without more funding

The masked parade is the highlight of the Winter Droving

Organisers of a festival which has made a loss for the past five years say they need financial support to keep the annual event alive.

Eden Arts said it needed at least an extra £15,000 to meet the rising costs of Penrith's Winter Droving.

The event, in its 13th year, is a torch-lit procession watched for free by tens of thousands of people in the town.

Adrian Lochhead, director of the festival, said: "The fact is that unless we do something we won't be able to continue indefinitely."

He wants visitors to donate to their "Big Give" appeal to ensure the future of the event.

A total of £8,000 has been pledged by businesses and organisations, but the funding could only be released if it is matched by public donations, he said.

Mr Lochhead added: "If every visitor from last year were to donate just £1, we would smash this target."

'Winter boost'

Chair of Eden Arts Kevin Beaty said the Winter Droving was one of the "many things" that made Penrith unique, and also provided "a vital winter boost to the local economy".

"It would be a huge loss to the town if the Winter Droving didn’t take place," he said.

"I am sure with the support of the people we can pull together to ensure the future of the event."

The Winter Droving has brought more than 235 Cumbrian musicians and performers to Penrith and £12m into the local economy since it started in 2012, organisers say.

The event also gets public funding from Arts Council England, Westmorland and Furness Council, Penrith BID, Penrith Lottery and Penrith Town Council.