Member Article

Housebuilder hops to it to fund Hare Festival

A festival to promote the beauty of the Cotswolds has received a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes.

The Cirencester March Hare Festival is a sculpture trail to highlight the beauty of the Cotswolds with 100 5ft and 18 inch sculpture of hares. Persimmon Homes Wessex gifted organisers the money which will help fund the festival that begins in March and runs until September.

Those running the event were given the funding through the Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions scheme. The initiative is open to charities, groups and individuals looking to match funds up to the value of £1,000 that they have already raised themselves.

Florence Beetlestone, an organiser of the festival, said: “The hare is an iconic Cotswold animal and we felt it was appropriate to use them to promote the region.

“The sculptures of 5ft hares are decorated by local artists and community groups. So far we have raised over £11,000 towards our costs through sponsorship. At the end of the trail, we auction the hares and the net profits will go to National Star.

“The donation from Persimmon Homes helps us extend the trail. This will enable more people to benefit from this free tourist attraction and ultimately enable us to raise more at the auction for charity.”

Pauline Fletcher, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, added: “The Cirencester Mach Hare Festival is an extremely popular event that brings so many people to the area.

“It is a celebration of the Cotswolds and as we have built many communities in the Cotswolds it is something that is close to our heart.

“We look forward to seeing what the organisers have planned for next year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lee Southen .