A festival is set to go ahead as normal after borough businesses have teamed up and showed their generosity.

Bury Mela was a hit in the town last year when around 3,000 people attended the festival, and celebrated diversity in the borough and the South Asian community.

But this year organisers lost out on money from the Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants scheme for its second edition.

Organisers from the B.A.M.E Project called for help from companies to sponsor or book stalls for the Mela event.

And firms have now banded together to provide funding to ensure it goes ahead with no major cutbacks when it return at Openshaw Park on Saturday, July 15.

Plea as popular Bury festival in danger of being cancelled

Founder of The B.A.M.E Project, who is also a Bury East councillor, Ummrana Farooq, said: “It gives me great happiness to see everything falling into place and I am excited to deliver another Mela festival to celebrate our diverse community and South Asian Heritage Month.

“It sure has been a team effort and we are still looking out for anyone who wishes to have a stall or sponsor the Bury Mela and have their business promoted on our new digital screen on the stage backdrop.”

This year, entry to the festival is free of charge and it will take place between 11am and 9pm with live entertainment, stalls, refreshments, henna art, and a fun fair.

Cllr Farooq said: ”The Met is partnering with us and supporting the festival.

“The event will be officially opened by mayor Sandra Walmsley alongside her consort James Bentley.

“Other VIP guests include council CEO Lynne Ridsdale and local elected councillors.

“We are also for any first aiders who would like to join us on the day.”

In May, the Arts Council England said the funding was denied due to a high level of competition. 

A spokesperson said: “Our National Lottery Project Grants programme has a high level of competition for funds which unfortunately means we are unable to support all of the good applications we receive.

"We are always happy to support applicants in providing feedback and helping them to develop future applications.

"Over the last three years we have invested a total of nearly £2 million in organisations and projects in Bury, including over £500,000 through our National Lottery Project Grants scheme in a broad and diverse range of cultural and creative activities.”

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