Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy visited the Museum of Liverpool this week to see a digital display of postcards from towns including Penrith all hoping to become the first UK Town of Culture, as judges whittle down hundreds of applications to a final shortlist.
Following the launch of the inaugural UK Town of Culture competition last year, the government has confirmed that it received 398 bids representing over 400 hopeful towns from across the UK.
In order to celebrate the local pride expressed in the submissions so far, every bidding town was invited to submit a postcard to champion their bid. These have been showcased by National Museums Liverpool in a digital display in the Museum of Liverpool this week, to celebrate the diversity of each and every town that has participated in the competition.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and chair of the independent panel judging the bids, Sir Phil Redmond, visited the museum to see the display ahead of the shortlist for the competition, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
For far too long, towns across the UK have felt left out of our national story.
Today we celebrate the local pride that has always existed in towns around the country within this amazing display of postcards from bidding towns.
Through UK Town of Culture, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK and the huge contribution they make to our national life. That contribution is clear to see today and I hope each and every town is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their community in the competition.
Chair of the independent panel, Sir Phil Redmond said:
The number of towns that have entered the competition is incredible. It is a distinct moment in its own right, when people overwhelmingly wanted to demonstrate the sense of pride they have in their own communities.
It is why we invited every one of them to send a postcard, a snapshot, of where they are, who they are, and how taken together, each contributes to our shared national story.
The postcards, along with their initial bids will form part of our national archive so future generations can look back and appreciate this significant cultural moment of history.
The UK Town of Culture competition is part of the Government’s ambition to restore pride in every part of Britain. The competition - together with the UK City of Culture competition - will shine a light on local visions and voices from across the UK, which will encourage local investment, create a lasting sense of pride, and open doors to the arts for everyone.
The winner of the UK Town of Culture competition will go on to host a season of culture in 2028, which will help them to deliver a long-lasting legacy of cultural participation and local pride as has been seen in previous winners of the UK City of Culture competition; Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford.
The government’s ambition behind the competition is for towns to reap similar benefits from the experience of bidding in the competition and encouraging local residents to get involved in cultural events to celebrate their town.
Penriths entry came about at the last minute after the town council was challenged over why it had not considered entering Penrith, Unlike other towns that have worked with the public to get people involved little is known of the town council town of culture bid beyond the postcard from Penrith now part of the exhibition that says,
Hi
We made it! It was so easy to find! All roads meet in Penrith!
You would love this place! We have explored castles, quirky shops, great cafes and bars... even a Giants grave! We walked, danced & swam, seen art & made art!
We've met such friendly people! Lovely walk this morning to a beacon (views to the Lake District!), brilliant event in the centre today with a parade and free games, live music tonight and heading to a few exhibitions tomorrow plus two stone circles! It seemed like such a quiet place!
Will bring you all next time! J & S xx
With love
from Penrith
CUMBRIA, ENGLAND
In Cumbria eight towns have entered to become the 2028 Town of Culture, with Penrith battling against: Appleby, Kendal, Ulverston, Barrow, Kirkby Lonsdale, Maryport and Workington as part of the 400 towns across the UK that have entered to be selected as the first ever UK town of culture.
All entries and postcards can be explored in a new interactive UK Town of Culture map
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
