Iain Becomes Festivals Trustee
Senior Associate Iain Jenkins has strengthened McCormicks’ long relationship with Harrogate International Festivals still further by becoming a member of its Board of Trustees.
Iain said: “Art is great at helping us understand our lives and the world around us. It can be exhilarating, calming, thought-provoking and inspiring.
“It comes in many forms including dance, music, and visual arts. Hanging in a gallery in Madrid is Picasso’s painting from 1937, Guernica, which has relevance today and is certainly an example of thought-provoking art.
“Closer to home, we have Harrogate International Festivals (HIF), the home of the arts in Yorkshire and I am proud to have recently become a member of its Board of Trustees. HIF is a charitable organisation having been established in 1966. Over the years, it has brought a fantastic array of high-quality cultural events to Harrogate for the benefit of all those who live in the town and its surroundings.
“Up-and-coming talent and acclaimed artists put on great performances across a range of events including literature, music and the visual arts. HIF’s season begins with the Fire and Light Festival in the Valley Gardens on 24 March.
“HIF also has events going on in the community to help encourage, support, and inspire young and old from whatever background.
“The charity continued to do sterling work during the pandemic and has some great events lined up for this year, including the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which I attended for the first time in 2021. Chatting with Ian Rankin with a pint in my hand is an example of the quality of the artist and accessibility of these events. I have read a number of his books but the festival means that you can talk to these great authors in an incredibly relaxed environment. People come from all over the country and the world, so it is great for Harrogate tourism.
“My work as a Trustee will involve supporting the charity with its direction and strategy and with its employees and volunteers. I will help out where I can, but I hope my legal background will be of some benefit. As well as the Board of Trustees, there are sub-groups to be involved in and when requested, I can roll my sleeves up and get out there to help set up events.
“There are a number of Trustee meetings throughout the year and the commitment is a serious one. There are also events to attend and then helping with everything that goes in to keeping HIF running smoothly and supporting the team with fundraising. Most of the charity’s finances come through ticket sales so we have to generate plenty of interest.
“There is a fantastic website at www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com and I encourage you to visit this and to book up one of the upcoming events. These are difficult times and family budgets are feeling the squeeze, but they are great experiences and you will be helping to develop the arts in our community. There are also lots of sponsorship opportunities for those businesses which would like to support the charity.”
