Celebrating the
life and ideas of Wigan born and bred Gerrard Winstanley (1609-1676)
Inspirational
theorist and spokesperson of the World's first true Socialists known as 'The Diggers'
APPEAL FOR
SPONSORSHIP FOR 4th WIGAN DIGGERS’ FESTIVAL
To all Socialist, Trades Union ,
Labour,
Co-operative & Other Supportive Organisations
Dear Brothers & Sisters
I am writing to you on behalf of the Wigan
Diggers' Festival Committee to appeal for the financial support of your
organisation in the staging of this year’s Festival. The FREE open air event,
which last year again, attracted over 2,000 people, will take place in the
Wiend area of Wigan town centre on Saturday 13th September 2014
between 11.00am and 9.30pm..
This year’s festival will be officially opened by Labour MP John McDonnell who will also talk about
the lasting influence of Gerrard Winstanley and The Diggers on today’s working
class movement.
The festival will consist of a wide range of activities including
live music, poetry and comedy performances, audio visual presentations, an
exhibition, town centre procession, beer tent, food, book and other stalls.
There will also be a symbolic digging re-enactment in which actor John Graham
Davies will play the role of the Diggers’ spokesperson. In addition to that,
there will be performances by BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners ‘The Lucy Ward
Band’, Merry Hell, Shamus Oblivion & The Megadeath Morris Men, the
Liverpool Socialist Singers & Bolton Clarion choir and more than 20 other
live acts, plus educational talks by TV documentary maker and “Debt Generation”
author David Malone, and Dr. John Gurney (health permitting)
author of “Gerrard Winstanley: The Diggers’ Life & Legacy” about the
historic Wiganer and his movement, also known as the “True Levellers”.
Although, many of our expenses have already been covered, and many
of those taking part are providing their services either for free, or for
little other than their travelling costs, as a result of our move to an outdoor
location two years ago, the costs of staging the festival have risen
considerably. This is not least as a result of our needing to hire professional
security to comply with the Council’s licensing conditions (and free public
liability insurance cover), the hire of Portaloos, a much larger outdoor PA
system, a professional sound engineer, stage lighting, and the cost of various
weather proofing measures (circa £3,500 combined cost).
In order to ensure we are able to cover these costs, which will
also enable us to stage next year’s event, we are in vital need of the
financial assistance of sympathetic organisations such as your own. If you can
help us in any way then please send a cheque, made payable to the Gerrard Winstanley Society, to the
address below. Your valuable support will be acknowledged in the festival
programme.
Yours in solidarity
Stephen Hall
for and behalf of Wigan Diggers'
Festival Committee
Tel: 01942 886645/07724 139278 or E-Mail:
stevechik@talktalk.net
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