Scrapped festival set for comeback

A POPULAR festival that was a fixture in the Capital for three decades could be revived after it was scrapped last year.

Community groups and residents are rallying round to secure funds for the Meadows Festival - which used to attract thousands of visitors - to go ahead next year.

The revival plans have been unveiled by Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council to bring a sense of "identity" to the area.

Organisers scrapped the festival last year because of growing levels of red tape and the soaring costs involved in staging it.

A dwindling band of volunteers was also blamed as a reason for the decision to wind up the organisation that ran the event.

Cameron Rose, of the community council, said the problems still had to be tackled but added that sponsors had already been identified and that local people were "very keen" to see the festival brought back. He said: "The festival is one of these events that helps shape the community and gives it an identity. It also gives people memories.

"We are in the preliminary stages, but over the coming weeks we will work with people interested in getting involved in the event and explore sponsorship.

"We are very keen to make it viable so we can make a go of it. There are different views about what form it should take - whether it should be a small event or whether it should be like it was in previous years.

"It's become a well-known event in Edinburgh over the years and it's certainly got potential to be quite a large event again.

"Everyone agrees this is a good event for the community and we don't want to lose it."

The festival, which was held annually in the city between 1975 and 2005, was made up of sporting events, stalls and live music.

Organisers say next year's event would follow a similar format, but plans are being mooted for additional activities and a theme for the day.

Tollcross and Southside community councils have also pledged their support to the proposals and meetings setting out a course of action have already taken place.

Potential sponsors include banks, the Quartermile developers and fundraisers for the Sick Kids Hospital. Organisers will also be visiting various festivals to get ideas for the Meadows event.

Mr Rose said he had "no doubt" local businesses would also get on board.

Karen Mackay, who owns the Nippers children's clothing store in Bruntsfield, has given her backing to the festival.

She said: "I used to sell children's clothing at the Meadows Festival. It used to be a great event.

"I bet there are masses of people who were really disappointed when it didn't take place last year. Hopefully that would have shocked them into getting involved themselves so that it can go ahead next year.

"I would definitely like to do something to make it happen because it's good for the area."

Tollcross councillor Chris Wigglesworth added: "I think it's a great idea, especially for the children, and it's a wonderful public space in which to have an event like that.

"The problem in the past has been finding a team of volunteers willing to do the work involved, so I wish them all the best with that."