Festivals Evaluation Report re NRF Project Progress Report

Owlerton and Southey Area Panel Members Briefing

2007/08 NRF Project Progress Report

Name of Project Managing Organisation

Neighbourhood Discretionary Budget SOAR

Summary of Project Aims and Objectives

Activity during 2007/08 again focused on the running of the five neighbourhood summer festivals in Longley, Southey, Shirecliffe, Parson Cross and Foxhill.

The five festivals promote community cohesion while celebrating the achievements of community members and organisations. At the same time festivals provide a much needed day of entertainment in each area.

Summary of Progress to date

All festivals have now been completed for 2007/08 with the last one being held in September.

Each of the neighbourhoods had to produce a monitoring report and evidence of expenditure, all expenditure has been verified by SOAR Contract & Monitoring

Coordinator.

Key Achievements

Despite the awful summer weather, each of the neighbourhoods managed to hold their respective festivals, the last of which took place in September.
Attendance was even higher than in previous years which can be put down to better location of some of the festivals (Parson Cross Festival being held this year on Chaucer School playing fields), this resulted in a more visible location and increased passing trade.
There was increased partnership working between the neighbourhoods, especially Southey & Longley who held a joint festival in July.
Continued support and involvement from local volunteers.
All of the neighbourhoods have spent to profile and successfully submitted their final reports.
Overall project expenditure has been verified and outputs have been achieved as per original proposal.

Key Challenges

The main challenge that faced each of the neighbourhood festivals was the adverse weather conditions:

Parson Cross & Foxhill both had to reschedule from July to September
Southey/Longley had to move sites at very short notice
Shirecliffe went ahead as planned.

The challenge now facing each of the neighbourhoods is to find resources to enable continuation of the festivals, especially in light of NRF ending.

Learning and Significant Changes

As above.

Next Priorities / Milestones

Build upon current partnership working and collectively look into how each of the festivals can run in 2008/09.

Issues for Partners and Services

Obtain the funding and support necessary to run the festivals in 2008/09.

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