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FVSE have recently launched their next project delivery plan, taking
the social enterprise into 2020 and beyond. It concludes a 5-year
journey where, despite often encountering incredibly challenging
circumstances out with its control, this local social enterprise has
worked hard to grow its main event – Sruighlea, Stirling’s Summer
Festival. However, as FVSE’s Director Matt McGrandles explains, these
external factors have not brought as much growth as the enterprise would
have liked.
“Now that we are through it, to say this last year has been a
challenge is an understatement,” comments FVSE’s Director Matt
McGrandles. “As most small businesses will appreciate, it’s the
decisions out with our control that can have the greater impact on
smaller organisations. The closure of the Stirling Kerse Bridge stemming
the flow of traffic to and from the event site, the change of date for
The World Pipe Band Championships to accommodate The European
Championships in Glasgow and of course the decision to bring Runrig to
Stirling on our weekend, all weren’t really part of the grand finale to
our 5-year delivery plan. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride.”
Sruighlea, Stirling’s Summer Festival which incorporates its key
attraction, Stirling Highland Games is FVSE’s core annual fundraising
event, allowing the social enterprise to generate income through ticket
sales. With only 40% of its funding achieved from this year’s event it
provides an ongoing budget headache for FVSE’s Board, but the team are
committed to exploring funding options for not only this project
delivery plan but also for a 2020 Legacy project.
Matt explains, “As we start to deliver our new project delivery plan,
that takes us through the exciting 150-year anniversary celebrations of
Stirling Highland Games, we can only hope that our concerns are taken
on board by the people who make these decisions. We have delivered the
event on the same weekend for the last 5 years and will continue to
express our thoughts that a co-ordinated approach to events in the city
would be more beneficial. I am sure most local businesses would also
prefer to see any bigger events incorporated into an existing local
event plan rather than the current approach.”
This year’s Festival saw even more on offer to visitors and included
Stirling Highland Games, a Foodie Festival, the Traders Village, an
Activities Challenge area, On the Fringe performances, over 40 Walking
Tours and live music in the evening at the Sruighlea Sessions. This
quote from a visitor sums up the event nicely: “The enthusiasm of
everyone in attendance – organisers, VIPs, competitors, stall holders,
spectators and all. It made for a great atmosphere in one of the most
beautiful settings in Scotland. Long may this event continue.”
FVSE’s Director offers huge praise to his small team and 72
volunteers that helped deliver their annual event in Stirling. Reviewing
some of the organisations 5-year stats not only highlights the enormous
amount of planning that goes into this Stirling focused tourism event
but also showcases the practical training opportunities offered for up
to 120 young people and the £1.2m economic impact it has brought to
Stirling.
“We simply couldn’t deliver the Festival without our fantastic
volunteers who provided 610 volunteer hours at this year’s event. A big
thanks also to our 2018 Games Chieftain, Simone Lahbib as well as our
guest Chef this year, Tony Singh. Both were so supportive of the
Festival and FVSE’s social aims.”
Now armed with its 2018 event stats, the organisation sets its sights
on creating and renewing their Partnerships as well as developing its
Training Academy offering in Scotland for young people. Further details
about FVSE’s Projects can be found at www.fvse.org.uk or by calling the office on 01786 273556.
Distributed by Pressat