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Removed
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This charity was removed from the register on 20 Jun 2023
Public benefits
(1) Direct benefits are seen by bringing together many people each year from all sections of the community to enjoy, participate in, be educated by leading exponents of Irish and Ulster Scots traditional music, song, and dance.(2) Show case the various strands of two cultures at one festival with performers often blending elements of both
traditions.(3) Educative benefits include piping competitions, dancing classes, and audiences participation with top ranking musicians in open "session". (4) Including the audiences by providing an unique forum for participants to meet, mix, and learn music, song, and dance techniques from this interaction. (5) Community cohesion that it has engendered and continues each year. A general sense of community is apparent as local people and those who visit mingle at all event where it is apparent that those involved derive a real sense of wellbeing. The ongoing benefits of the Festival can be measured by its continuing success. Thousands of people turn up over the four days of the Festival and numbers, despite the longevity of the event, shows no sign of decline. The obvious enjoyment of artists and audiences is testament to the wellbeing engendered by the Festival. Less tangible but very obvious to the Committee is the improvement of community relationships that has resulted from individuals, from one or other culture, having opportunities to visit venues or listen to performances that previously they had no access to. Many artists, from the various disciplines, can be seen to have benefited greatly, with the Festival providing a first showcase for their talents; and some, who as children took inspiration as members of the audience, have gone on to have national success. A very significant benefit has been the thousands of pounds raised each year for various local and regional charities. no harm is encountered only pleasure. As outline above the chief beneficiaries are the communities in and around the village of Portglenone, the Borough of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, and the individual musicians, dancers, singers, bands and groups who participate in the Festival. Various local and regional charities have benefited from monies collected through our run/walk. No private benefits
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Our purpose centres on an annual, weekend, festival which takes place in and around the village of Portglenone, in the Borough of Mid & East Antrim Council, each September. The organisation of the Festival is on going throughout the year. Traditional music and dance from the Irish and Ulster Scots heritages are at the heart of the festival which
aims to maintain, strengthen and pass on these elements of our culture. Events are arranged in up to fifteen venues including, a concert venue, schools, church halls, cafes, pubs, and in the open air. Singers, dancers, musicians, bands and groups are engaged to demonstrate the various strands of the traditional cultures and their contemporary developments. Our emphasis is on maintaining the highest standards, so performers of international renown as well as the best up-and-coming talent are booked each year. Some events are competitive but most are educative/entreating in nature. Admission fees are charged for our three evening concerts but most of our events are free of charge and open to all who are interested. At these free events talented amateur and semi-professional performers are engaged to educate/entertain the audiences. Busking and music ‘session’ events are organised and these often serve as a catalyst for audience participation. Also free of charge is our pipe band event. The Festival opens each year with a cross-community run/walk which attracts hundreds of participants. All proceeds raised from the entrance fees are donated to various local and regional charities.
... [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
- General public
- Men
- Older people
- Travellers
- Voluntary and community sector
- Volunteers
- Women
- Youth (14-25 year olds)
How the charity works
- Community development
- Cross-border/cross-community
- Cultural
- Welfare/benevolent
Charitable purposes
The Purposes and objectives of Gig’n the Bann Festival Association will be to: • Promote Irish and Ulster Scots music, singing and dancing in all their forms to a cross community audience • Promote education and understanding of Irish and Ulster Scots music and traditions • Organise and run an annual Gig’n the Bann Festival which seeks to achieve the objectives above