A NEW outdoor arts event could be coming to Weymouth this autumn following the success of the Sense of Unity puppet parade last year.

The town council agreed at its full advisory meeting it would allocate £10,000 in funding towards the event, matching finances from Weymouth BID, trading as We Are Weymouth, and potentially Arts Council England.

The Sense of Unity event last year was a hit with residents and tourists alike as as giant puppets paraded the town for thousands of people, with this year’s event hoped to be similar.

Council officer Tony Hurley recommended the local authority allocate the funding from the Town Centre Initiatives budget.

Mr Hurley said: “Following the very successful Sense of Unity art event in Weymouth last September the council has been approached by Activat8 Performing Arts and We Are Weymouth to help fund another outdoors art event this coming autumn.

“This matter is supported by the Services Committee with a recommendation to the council to allocated £20,000 on the basis that it would match funding from We Are Weymouth and hopefully Arts Council England.

Dorset Echo: Inside Out Dorset's parade of Sense of Unity (second night)

“Although £20,000 was not included in the budget for 2022-23 the Finance and Governance Committee is supportive of £10,000 that is currently available in the Town Centre Initiatives budget being allocated to the project in order that planning and arrangements can be put in place for the autumn event.”

The council officer said if a decision was left until later in the year the project would not be delivered in time with progress reports on the project and updates on matched funds available in the coming months.

Westham councillor Ryan Hope requested reassurances that before any funds are released the council has a full plan on what the money is being spent on, which Mr Hurley confirmed would be the case.

Weymouth mayor Colin Huckle then proposed the recommendation, which was seconded by councillor Luke Wakeling before councillors unanimously agreed to provide the money.

Weymouth BID chief operations officer, Dawn Rondeau, said she was delighted to be bringing another outdoor arts event to the town.

Dorset Echo: Inside Out Dorset's parade of Sense of Unity (second night)

She said: “The team at We Are Weymouth were thrilled with the success of the (Sense of Unity) performance, which We Are Weymouth financially supported last year.

“The event attracted more than 10,000 people to the town over two nights and was enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

“Due to the success of Dundu and the puppets, Weymouth BID approached Activ8 to start working on plans for something similar for September 2022 and agreed at the end of last year to part fund another Dusk til Dark event.

“We Are Weymouth is thrilled to partner again with Weymouth Town Council and bring another signature event to the town.”