by DOUGLAS SHEPHERD
Saturday ticket sales at the 2019 Borders Book Festival slumped by 20 per cent after performances by authors and artists clashed with a concert by iconic music duo The Proclaimers, organised by Melrose Rugby Club and attended by 4,000 fans.
The impact of the concert on the festival was mitigated by 'smart scheduling' with the four day literary event emerging at the end of the day with increased revenue, according to newly published annual accounts.
There had been concern and dismay in the Melrose community when it was realised Proclaimers twins Craig and Charlie Reid were to perform during the festival on June 15 last year.
The report by the Borders Book Festival trustees deals with the issue in some detail.
It says: "Creative directors Paula Ogilvie and Alistair Moffat faced the challenge of the unexpected scheduling of a concert by The Proclaimers at a nearby site during the festival.
"A combination of smart scheduling, detailed logistical planning and advance warnings meant that the concert's impact on the festival was kept to a minimum. Ticket sales for the Saturday of the festival were down by some 20 per cent on last year (2018) but it is testament to the hard work of our directors and the understanding of our loyal attendees that big increases in ticket sales for the Thursday, Friday and Sunay offset this fall and still resulted in our best ever performance in terms of overall revenue.
"It is also hoped that some of those attending The Proclaimers concert will have visited the festival's food village and become more aware of the Borders Book Festival".
In his report, trustee and former Border Member of Parliament Michael Moore reveals that the 16th festival recorded book and ticket sales of £210,000, in line with the 2018 event. Last year almost 34,000 visitors took in 124 performances by more than 130 artists.
"The festival's economic importance on the region was estimated at £2.3 million (using the methodology approved by Events Scotland)", adds the report.
By contrast, this year's festival is being conducted on-line thanks to the pandemic, and the economic contribution is likely to be negligible.
Mr Moore writes: "A spread of very different events captivated people's imagination and attracted many who might not have previously thought of coming to a book festival.
"As well as the festival's traditinal fare of literature and politics, well served by the likes of Cressida Cowell and Matt Chorley, we also welcomed big hitters from the world of sport such as David Coulthard and Gregor Townsend. David Nott, author of War Doctor, held a particularly moving event which ended with a standing ovation in the festival's largest venue".
Mr Moore also chairs the festival company's Remuneration Sub-Comittee which determines the amounts to be paid to principal consultants Alistair Moffat and Paula Ogilvie who are also trustees.
The report shows: "During 2019 the board agreed payments of £31,000 [each] to Mr Moffat and Mrs Ogilvie (2018 £31,650 and £31,910) as part compensation for their contributions of skill and experience in the field of literary festivals. These approved payments were in respect of fees, not wages or salaries. Neither Mr Moffat nor Mrs Ogilvie receive any remuneration for their directorships of the company".
In a section headed Related Party Disclosures, the report states: "For the 2019 festival David Ogilvie, husband of trustee Mrs Ogilvie was paid £10,000 for consultancy services provided to the festival. Sons Andrew Ogilvie and Gavin Ogilvie provided services to the festival and received payment under the business name Vape Collectors. They were paid £200 and £450 respectively".
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