Last updated 14:27, Wednesday, 12 November 2008

ULVERSTON Town Council is set to assume responsibility for the town’s most popular festival because it can insure it for less money.

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By David Pickthall

The Dickensian Christmas Festival committee was due to hand over the reins for the 10th annual Victorian-themed weekend at a meeting last night.

Festival committee member Peter Winston said: “It was suggested the council had a big insurance policy that would result in cheaper insurance for the festival.

“Insurance policies have gone up an awful lot in the last few years and we’ve had a quote of £1,400 this year.

“If the Dickensian committee agrees, then the council becomes the parent body of the festival.”

Members agreed the council would insure and accept liability for the festival on a rolling basis at a meeting on Monday night.

Councillor Brian Wilkinson said: “Can we look after it for this year and then review the situation for future years as soon as possible?”

Members agreed to his proposal.

Councillor Colin Hodgson agreed, adding “it’s a trial period”.

Mr Winston said: “We have to do the hand over formally.

“Presumably in the long term it will continue on that basis, where the council runs it. When you insure something you have to be the owner of it, you can’t insure somebody else’s car.”

Councillors Norman Bishop-Rowe, Judith Pickthall and Jan Hancock are on the Dickensian committee and will discuss the matter further with the other town council members.

Ulverston Town Council is already responsible for the annual September Charter Festival, St George’s Day celebrations and partly responsible for the Flag and Banner Festival.

The Dickensian weekend – which takes place on November 29 and 30 – is the highlight of the town’s festival calendar and attracts thousands of visitors from across the country.