As a volunteer based, non-profit making organisation the Festival has survived to date on money raised from the Art & Architecture Trail weekend, supplemented by grants from the Arts Council and a few local organisations. In order to survive in the future, the Festival has to reduce its dependance on Arts Council, i.e. Government, funding and replace it with a mixture of generated income and commercial sponsorship.

The Festival enriches the cultural calendar in the village of Melbourne and South Derbyshire. It is also a valuable commercial opportunity for organisations who can use it to target people who are interested in art and are prepared to spend on quality goods and services. To offer companies a professionally managed opportunity to exploit the Festival, we have developed a Sponsorship Programme. (Please see the Sponsorship webpage.)

There are, however, many companies and individuals who are not in a position to sponsor the Festival but would like to support it to ensure that it continues to thrive. The Friends of Melbourne Festival was set up in 2008 as an opportunity for local people and small businesses to support Melbourne Festival. For a small annual membership fee Friends receive a newsletter, early notification of concerts and popular workshops, early access to artists' work and other benefits.

Each year a reception is held as a thank you to all of the Friends for their support. Staunton Harold Hall hosted the launch party for the Friends of Melbourne Festival in 2008, In 2009 Artists @ Arts Melbourne hosted a private viewing of their exhibition at St Mary’s Hall exclusively for Friends of Melbourne Festival and plans are underway for 2010.

We now wish to extend the invitation to join the Friends to all families and individuals who would like to support the Melbourne Festival and help ensure our long-term future. The details are below. Please send us your name and address and a cheque as detailed or e-mail us at info@melbournefestival.co.uk and we will send you a hard copy brochure by return.

BUSINESS FRIENDS

Dave Bonner - Plumber - 20 Ashby Road, Melbourne DE73 8ES – 01332 863674

Melbourne Dental Practice - 24 Potter St, DE73 8DW – 01332 862942

The National Forest Spring Water Company - Highfields, Cockshut Lane, Melbourne, DE73 8DG – 01332 862699

Fergiland - The Gateway, Highfields, Cockshut Lane, Melbourne, DE73 8DG – 01332 862972

The Ingleby Gallery - Ingleby Lane, Ingleby, DE73 7HW – 01332 865995