Swinton Folk Festival is funded by both the local council (Salford) and North West Arts. Council fund us as an ongoing benefit to the community. North West Arts give funding for anything new. There is a specific policy related to funding folk music in place now. It is biased towards diversifying folk related arts so they are happiest with spending on things not normaly done. This year for instance we have a Ukrainian dance troupe, a Guyanan storyteller, a Scots piper, an event aimed specificaly at childen and so on.

Previous comments about lottery money being available for capital projects are correct.

500k to build a folk roots arts centre - OK. 500 quid to help pay struggling artists - no chance.

Bit weird but there it is!

PM me if you need more info.

D the G