Council funding for Ballykelly festival

At the beginning of April, the Sentinel revealed that a major new ‘countryside’ festival was coming to the former Shackleton army base in Ballykelly, modelled after an annual event held near Lisburn which has been running for 18 years.

Now, the event organisers - Countryside Festivals Ltd - have released details of projected visitor numbers and the expected income and expenditure. Interestingly, their projections are calculated over a three year period, indicating the organisers’ intentions to return to Ballykelly on an annual basis.

Limavady Council’s ‘Development Services’ report for the month of May states: “Countryside Festivals Ltd progress is on-going to run the Countryside Festival at Shackleton during the summer of 2014. Taking on board Council’s observations regarding the dates and the potential clash with the Dale Farm Milk Cup, the dates have now been changed.

“OFMDFM (the Office of First and Deputy First Ministers) and Limavady Borough Council have received copies of the Event Plan. On request the organisers have provided Council with projected income and expenditure over a three year period covering 2014; 2015; and 2016. These indicate expected increases in both income and expenditure over the 3 year period.

On the income side the various sources of anticipated income would come from: rental of stands; ticket sales; private sponsorship; public sponsorship (namely local Council at a level of £15,000); in kind sponsorship.”

“Expected attendance in 2014 is 4,000.”