Macclesfield's Barnaby Festival revival is gathering pace after securing a £10,000 lottery grant.
This summer’s reborn festival, which has historic links dating back to 1595, was given a massive financial boost this week in the shape of an Awards for All grant.
The cash will help turn a medieval tradition of feast days and holidays into a 21st century summer spectacular of music, crafts and performing arts.
The original barnaby fair was established as a town holiday by Royal Charter in 1595 to coincide with St Barnabas’ feast day, and later became a traditional fortnight’s holiday for Macclesfield mill workers.
It had virtually died out over recent decades. But last month – just weeks after the council pulled the plug on funding for the popular Party in the Park festival – a group of volunteers declared ‘Barnaby is Back’.
Of the funding boost, Barnaby Festival organiser Jane Munro said: "We’re absolutely delighted. The festival is being enthusiastically run and supported by many local volunteers, but there are some things that can’t be done for free. This lottery money will ensure Macc residents enjoy a festival to be proud of – a high standard of events, using some of the town’s historic but neglected buildings."
The majority of the funding will help pay for Macclesfield’s first-ever community opera during the festival called ‘The Monkey Run’.
The opera, based on an old courting ritual, will involve local choirs and amateur soloists working with professional singers and musicians. It is being written by Macclesfield-based conductor Nicholas Smith and will be performed in Christ Church.
The grant will also fund an opening street parade and percussion workshops.
Other festival attractions will include ‘Barnaby Rocks Out’, a day of live music in Macclesfield, and late-night candlelit cabaret at the town hall, as well as theatre, film and a traditional food and drinks market.
The festival will be not for profit and run by volunteers. Another £2,000 of funding has come from Cheshire Community Action (CCA) and £5,000 from CEC.
The closing date for local bands with original material to enter the festival’s Unknown Treasures competition is Wednesday, March 31. Winners will get to perform at the festival. To find out more visit www.barnabyfestival.org.uk .
