10:21am Saturday 9th February 2008
THE future of Winchester's Hat Fair has been secured with news of long-term support by the Arts Council.
The Arts Council has confirmed for the first time that it will support the annual street theatre event for the next three years.
It ends the chronic uncertainty for the fair which has always lived a year-by-year existence.
Although the council is reducing its grant from £100,000 a year to around £85,000, the three-year deal is a boost for the organisers.
Director Sian Thomas said: "It gives us stability to plan and flexibility. It is also recognition of the Hat Fair's importance and its growing quality and work with the community.
"It also means we will be less fragile and more robust. It's a great thing for Winchester," she added.
The good news for the Hat Fair was part of the announcement that arts in the south-east were to get their biggest ever cash injection.
Some 57 organisations have learned they are set to receive a boost of more than £1.3 million over the next three years.
Felicity Harvest, regional director for the Arts Council, said: "All of the organisations we support share a common goal: a passion for making the best art available to the widest possible audience."
This year's Hat Fair begins on Thursday, July 3.
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