TreeFest facing the chop as funds to stage event run dry

The event has been running for eight years, bringing chainsaw sculptors, axe throwers and craftsmen to Inverleith Park in a celebration of all things wooden, but organisers say they cannot afford to continue after losing financial support from sponsors including the Forestry Commission and the city council.

Organiser Carole Fraser said: "The council have always been supportive since 2002 but they are just completely strapped for cash now. The Forestry Commission officially pulled out a couple of years ago and helped us with the promotion last year and with the puppet show but there was no major cash there, so we were really fortunate to keep it going for one more year. But now we've got nothing to get it off the ground.

"I have had my head in my hands for months thinking, 'What can I do?' I submitted so many applications and so much effort has gone in during the past few months. Once you get something, you can build on that and get income through the catering stands and the trade stands, but without even a cushion it's too scary – I just can't do it."

She said the festival, which is free to visit, cost between 40,000 and 50,000 to run: "We have to have at least 25,000 to get it off the ground initially. People say 'charge an entrance fee', but it's stressful enough to do it with money in place ahead of the event, never mind worrying if we're going to pull the money in over the weekend."

The festival was organised through the Four Winds Inspiration Centre in the park, where Ms Fraser also runs craft classes. She said that, even without TreeFest the classes would continue in earnest.

She said she didn't know if the festival would return in future, and added: "It's so disappointing, but I think what I have to do is focus on the positive and think we've had a really good run for eight years and hopefully made people happy and given them a good experience."

City events champion, Councillor Steve Cardownie said: "It's a sign of the times that with organisations cutting back, sponsorship for festivals and events is becoming increasingly difficult to come by.

"It's a shame, but I can understand why organisations feel that they have to cut back.

"This has been a well-attended festival in the past and hopefully when the situation gets better they'll be able to resurrect it. The council's going through a similarly difficult period in terms of having to cut back on its budget. I don't know when it will be, but when we resolve the situation and we're in a better situation financially, given the background and history of this festival I'm sure the council would support it again."