THE organisers of Wigtown Book Festival have thanked visitors and supporters for showing their support in difficult times for the arts.
The annual festival, on now, has faced multiple challenges, including the loss of major funding from Baillie Gifford.
However, the continued backing of Dumfries and Galloway Council which has provided around £27,000 funding for the 2024 festival has proved invaluable.
Cathy Agnew, chair of Wigtown Festival Company, said: “The festival brings in more than 8000 visitors and £4 million a year to the area’s economy – in a region that faces so many challenges, this is vital for jobs and businesses.
“More than that, it plays an essential part in the cultural life of Scotland and its people – and in encouraging a new generation of readers and writers through its work with children and young adults.
“Public sector support for the arts has dwindled. Covid and the Cost of Living Crisis have created intense problems and the loss of a major sponsor made things even worse.
“Our long and established partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council has, though, been a bright spot amidst all this. We are delighted that they recognise that funding the arts is a vital investment in the economy and community which repays itself many times over.
“I would also like to thank our many, many visitors and our private sector sponsors, who have continued to show such a strong belief in the value of this event to Galloway and Scotland over the last quarter of a century.”
Responding, Councillor Ian Blake said: “The Book Festival has a wonderful programme that showcases many great authors and rural life in Galloway, as well as more international themes.
“It’s a treat to take time out of our busy lives to visit Wigtown and to relax and unwind amidst the bookshops and unspoiled landscape. The Council is delighted to support the festival as one of our Signature Events of Dumfries and Galloway.”
Meanwhile, this year the festival has also organised The Coastal Fringe: four events enabling people to explore the Solway coastline in expert company, in partnership SCAMP (Solway Coast and Marine Project, an initiative by the DGC Environment Team).
Highlights include Making the Most of our Coast to find out more about the role of woodlands along our coast; Up the Creek: an adventure to find out more about the salt marsh as a habitat for young fish; Mysterious Mud Creatures; and Oysters Unshelled.
Pictured above at Wigtown harbour are, from left: Elizabeth Tindal, McNabb Laurie of Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands; Emilie Wardhaugh, a biologist with Galloway Fisheries Trust and Cllr Ian Blake
