04
Feb
Knaresborough to consider Town of Culture bid at public meeting
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Knaresborough Town Council is inviting members of the public to share their ideas and help shape a bid to become the first ever UK Town of Culture.
The council will hold a meeting to consider a bid on Monday (February 9) at Knaresborough House.
The announcement comes after Harrogate Town Council said earlier this week that it was considering entering the large town category.
The government launched the Town of Culture search last month as an extension of the City of Culture scheme introduced under Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009.
Announcing the Town of Culture initiative, Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said:
Great culture is not confined to our largest metropolitan centres; it is everywhere, rooted in communities across the country. But for too long that talent and contribution has gone unrecognised.
She added:
Everybody deserves the chance to share their pride in the place they call home and to have access to quality art, music, dance and drama wherever they live. That is why we are launching the UK Town of Culture. To celebrate towns and help to create a lasting cultural legacy.
Knaresborough Castle
The government will select the best small, medium-sized and large towns from the applications received, and one of them will be named UK Town of Culture 2028.
That town will receive £3 million, and the other two finalists will each receive £250,000 to deliver a programme of cultural activity in 2028.
Expressions of interest in the competition must be submitted by March 31. Shortlisted towns are expected to be announced in spring.
Announcing Monday’s “open, idea-sharing session” on Facebook, Knaresborough Town Council posted:
Whether you’re an artist, volunteer, community group, storyteller, local business owner, or simply someone who loves this town, your ideas can help shape Knaresborough’s bid for Town of Culture 2028.
Let’s pull together, dream big, and build something unforgettable.
Knaresborough Town Council’s meeting will be held at Knaresborough House from 7pm on Monday, February 9.
Harrogate Town Council will discuss its bid at a meeting in the Civic Centre tonight (Wednesday, February 4).
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