Lottery grant for gay pride festival

Doncaster Pride was at the centre of a row after controversial English Democrat Peter Davies slashed authority support for minority events shortly after he was elected.

Mr Davies took office last June and immediately set about pursuing his cost-cutting agenda, which included stopping the 3,000 awarded to the festival organisers.

The council also assisted the event by allowing it to take place in the town's market area, but this was also stopped as a result of the mayor's opposition to its existence.

It had been planned to end funding with immediate effect, but the mayor was forced to allow council cash to be granted in 2009 because agreements had already been made.

However, the mayor made it clear minority events in the town would not be funded in 2010 but plans were recently unveiled to host Doncaster Pride at the town's racecourse.

Last night organisers said they hoped the lottery cash would help them move away from the controversy and said the 24,500 grant had actually secured the festival's future.

Jenny Dewsnap, of the organising committee, said: "The mayor is

entitled to his opinion, but we want to make Doncaster Pride a permanent and sustainable event in the town.

"This lottery money will mean that we can host the day's events on the racecourse and cover all the core costs associated with the event like stewards and first aid.

"We have decided to introduce a small entrance charge of 3 this year, so if we get 8,000 people through the turnstiles, all the money raised can be used for Pride 2011."

The first Doncaster Pride festival was held in 2007 with a budget of just 15,000, which last year had risen to around 22,000 with sponsorship from small community grant funds.

It is expected this year's event will cost around 40,000 and donations from the private sector have already been secured alongside sponsorship from public services like the police.

Ms Dewsnap added: "It is unlikely that we will need this kind of support from the lottery again because now, with the move to the racecourse, we will be sustainable for good.

"I think the Big Lottery Fund judges liked our bid because they can see the grant will secure the event's future and they also like the fact that the festival is not just for the gay community.

"We want everybody to come along and enjoy the acts, and I think the fund recognised that attracting thousands of people to the town has wider economic benefits."

Yesterday Mr Davies was unavailable for comment on the lottery grant for Doncaster Pride, which will take place at the racecourse from 2pm on August 21.

Two other projects in South Yorkshire have also been given cash by the Big Lottery Fund in the latest round of awards, including almost 500,000 for a Sheffield club.

Project Buzz, based at Springfield School in the Broomhall area of the city, provides activities, day trips and cultural events for families and is now planning a community garden.

Spokesman for the project Kath Mardles said the project had been running for three years, and added the lottery money would secure its future for a further five.

A grant of 311,621 has also been awarded to Open Minds Counselling Service, which aims to help people dealing with mental health issues which are often not treated by the NHS.

The cash will be used by the Doncaster-based firm to treat children suffering from the mental effects of abuse and former servicemen who are suffering from conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder.