PRESS RELEASE

February 8th, 2009

Get on board

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has challenged Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop to ‘get on board’ for next year’s Tall Ships Race event.

Sail Inverclyde is set for crunch talks with EventScotland in the coming weeks over the level of funding they are to receive to promote the Greenock visit.

The local team will have to make the case to EventScotland that the Tall Ships is an ‘international’ event to remove a £10K cap on funding.

This week, the local MSP called on Fiona Hyslop, the Culture Minister in charge of major events strategy, to use her influence with EventScotland to ensure they recognise the importance of the Tall Ships event.

Mr McNeil also asked the minister to write all the embassies and consulates in Scotland to make them aware of the event and encourage participation.

The MSP said: “Anyone who remembers the last visit in 1999 will need no reminder what a boost the Tall Ships brought to the area and it is important we make the most of this opportunity again.

“With the global recession impacting on possible sponsors, EventScotland has a greater role to play this time and it is vital that they step up to the plate.

“We have a great team in place to ensure this is a memorable visit for the town but they need support to maximise the benefits to the area.

“That is why I have called for ministerial intervention so that we can make the most of this opportunity, for Inverclyde and for Scotland as a whole.”

ENDS