Guernsey Press

Sports, arts events in jeopardy as grants cut

ANNUAL sports and cultural events could be in jeopardy after Economic Development announced it was to cut the VisitGuernsey grants for both the Arts and Sports Commissions.

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Guernsey Arts Commission chairman Russ Fossey (19879803)

The move, announced to the groups on Monday, has been described as ‘potentially disastrous’ for the island.

But Economic Development said it has been taken as it faced a series of difficult funding decisions in supporting the economy.

Grant money has historically been put towards festivals such as the Guernsey Literary Festival, the Vale Earth Fair and the Alderney Performing Arts Festival.

Since hearing the news, the Sports Commission has had to tell the Guernsey Chess Festival that it can no longer go ahead next year and there are doubts as to the viability of the May Bank Holiday horse racing meet.

Arts Commission chairman Russ Fossey said the shock news was given at short notice.

‘We were really encouraged by last year, this committee seemed to really understand the link between the culture and economics,’ he said.

Full story in today's Guernsey Press