James Burke-Dunsmore in a scene from the event, photo via assistnews.net

Cash strapped British Council withdraw funding for Easter event

Organizers of Leicester’s “Christ in the Centre” – a huge annual presentation of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ held in the city centre every Easter - are appealing for more support in the form of financial donations after the city council has withdrawn some of its funding, leading to a shortfall of £3,000 ($4,500 USD), reports Dee Pfeiffer, special to ASSIST News Service.

Christ in the Centre is a dramatic presentation of the true meaning of Easter, which has been staged in the middle of Leicester every year since 2003, and last year attracted a record 9,000 people in spite of harsh weather conditions.

Jonathan Wheeler, a trustee of the event, said he was disappointed that the council has withdrawn funding at such a late stage. He said, “Knowing that we don’t have the money at this stage is a blow. It’s roughly 10% of our budget so it means we now have to once again appeal to the public for help.”

Last year, the event’s budget was slashed from £50,000 ($74,780 USD) to £31,000 ($46,365 USD) and organizers had to cut back on the amount of stages used, from three to two.

This year, it they will again have to find creative ways in which to stage the event without incurring too much cost. Wheeler says he is thankful for the council’s help. “It still provides a huge amount of support. But the financial woes of the council are well known so we understand its decision.”

Cannon Barry Naylor, chairman of the organizing committee, said: “There’s no danger of it not going ahead but, clearly, we will have to ask for money from other sources. We’ve got some great people involved and I’m confident that it will be a fantastic event again. We had professional actors and singers previously, but this time we’re using a lot more people from Leicester so it will be a more local event.”

“The 2010 event will be a spectacular, vibrant presentation,” promises director James Burke-Dunsmore, who will again play the role of Christ.He says this year’s procession will also involve the crowd more fully: “It will be more celebratory than in previous years and aim to involve the crowd more fully, with both musicians and dancers being involved.”

2010’s event will start at 10am in St Peter’s Square, HighCross, with recreations of Bible scenes before the procession moves down High Street to Humberstone Gate for the main drama, which is expected to finish by 12 noon. At least 10,000 people are expected to gather in the city to watch the event take place.

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TAGS: United Kingdom Leicester Christ in the Centre Easter financial support

[03/13/2010]

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