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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£31.4K
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Spending
£22.1K
Public benefits
There are several public benefits from the purposes of Country Comes To Town. The first benefit is the engendering of a substantial amount of community cooperation in what is still a significantly fractured society in the Portadown area. The second benefit to arise lies in the close involvement of civic, commercial and community groups,
working in unison to ensure the annual success of one of N Ireland’s biggest festivals leading to increased community cohesion. A third benefit results from the craft exhibits and living history demonstrations that form a significant part of the Country Comes to Town festival. These provide increased education and knowledge of culture and history through cultural artefacts, activities and living history demonstrations. The benefit is demonstrated through feedback from beneficiaries, increased numbers attending the festival and links with other areas, increased number of community links between migrant groups and longer established organisations in the area. It is most unlikely that there would be any harm flowing from these purposes The beneficiaries of the purposes of Country Comes To Town are, primarily, the groups and individuals who attend the festival, either as participants or as visitors. Surveys indicate that approximately 60% of visitors to the festival come from within the greater Craigavon area. The majority of the remainder come from throughout Northern Ireland. Participants e.g. entertainers and street traders, come from all over the island of Ireland. Arising from the very large numbers of people attending the festival, there are private financial benefits that accrue to both temporary street traders and also to resident retailers through increased trade within the town. However, this is incidental to the main purposes of holding a Country Comes To Town festival in order to enhance community relations.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
The 'Country Comes To Town' Heritage Saturday is always held on the third Saturday in September. The town centre accommodates approximately 300 vintage cars, lorries, tractors and farm machinery in static display. There are about 10 static steam engines demonstrations. And the town centre is the focus for up to six working (and noisy) steam
traction engines. There are craft stalls including weaving, flax treatment, wood carving and blacksmithing. There are demonstrations of e.g. threshing, butter-making, bread making and cider making. In those years when The Railway Preservation Society can facilitate it; there is a steam train running between Lisburn and Newry to bring visitors to and from Portadown: thereby reinforcing the town's railway history as 'The Hub of the North'. A large stage is provided on the town plaza. This is home to a range of country musicians and bands throughout the day. In addition, there are approximately 9 other sites thoughouv the town where individual country musicians are permitted to perform. There are approximately 70 trading stalls set up throughout the town; providing a range of foodstuffs, clothing, toys, games etc. In the Peoples Park, there are two equine events and a tug-o-war competition along with demonstrations from e.g. St John's Ambulance and The N Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. The equine events consist of a Connemara Pony riding competition and a British Driving Society (horses and carriages) competition. On the River Bann Boulevard, there are river rides in the local council's Master McGrath boat. And CCTT encourages local small boat owners to participate in a flotilla which sails from Portadown to the point of Whitecoat. The festival is not confined to the Saturday. During the previous week, mostly in the evenings, there are additional events including a family dog show.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of citizenship or community development
- The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science
Who the charity helps
- Ethnic minorities
- General public
- Interface communities
- Voluntary and community sector
How the charity works
- Community development
- Cross-border/cross-community
- Heritage/historical
- Volunteer development
