Competing cities revealed as Plymouth prepares City of Culture bid
PLYMOUTH will go up against at least four other cities in the race to be named UK City of Culture 2017.
The deadline for cities to express an interest to the Government was yesterday, and outline applications must be submitted by April 30.
The full list of competitors will be announced next week, and The Herald understands Portsmouth, Aberdeen, Leicester and Dundee have all now thrown their hats into the ring.
The Herald is backing Plymouth's bid, and over the coming weeks we will provide regular updates on the progress of the rival regions.
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Aberdeen bid manager Rita Stephen said: "Aberdeen wouldn't have entered the competition unless we thought we had a good chance of winning. We have the infrastructure in this city capable of putting on an incredible year. We have amazing artists, writers, musicians, actors, film-makers, craftsmen and craftswomen in this city who all want to be involved. And we know how to use UK City of Culture to make Aberdeen a more creative and inspiring place."
Dundee councillor Ken Guild said: "There has never been a better time for Dundee to stake a claim to be UK City of Culture. Cultural facilities have been an important component in the city's transformation in recent years. This would be a people's bid, where the population of Dundee would play a major role in events that could take place. We enjoy a strength and depth of outreach programmes and local participation that already shows the enthusiasm of Dundee people for cultural activity.
"Winning would attract in even more economic benefits, helping to regenerate communities and offering real opportunities for our people."
Kathy Wadsworth, Portsmouth City Council's director of regeneration, told the Portsmouth News: "I think we've got a good chance, and winning this really would change people's perception of Portsmouth."
During The Herald's online Q&A session yesterday, Devon South West MP Gary Streeter said he is firmly behind the city's bid.
He said: "I strongly support it and think that we can all get behind it. Our city is vibrant and dynamic and it is time the world knew more about us. The Herald is doing a great job in promoting this."
Adrian Vinken, chair of the Plymouth Culture Board which is leading the bid, said: "We know bidding to become UK City of Culture is a highly competitive process. It's a prestigious competition which is precisely why Plymouth needs to enter and we are expecting to see a range of quality entries from throughout the UK. Whilst we would wish good luck to all of them we have no doubt that Plymouth is exceptionally well placed to take on whatever the competition may throw at us. It's a spectacular place with by far the finest natural location of any city in the country and a maritime ocean heritage of global significance.
"Plymouth is the undisputed cultural capital of the South West region with a burgeoning reputation for its fine dining and overall quality of life. We are quietly confident, therefore, that Plymouth's bid will be received positively by Government and that we stand a good chance of being asked to take our plans through to fruition."
Culture Minister Ed Davey said: "The UK City of Culture is a prestigious title that is a vehicle for encouraging economic growth along with highlighting the very best of the country's cultural talent."
15 Comments
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by newplymouth
Friday, March 08 2013, 10:31AM
“Some formidable competition here!
If we are serious about wnning we need to play to win and stop Whingeing and Wisecracking The comments here on the Herald website are here for all to see; be it in Aberdeen Leicester etc why shoud we giv our competitors ammunition?”
by drych
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:41PM
“I'm not sure if PCC visit other cities much. Plymouth is a hole. We could never win this!”
by Devonportboy
Monday, March 04 2013, 7:32PM
“well jaygeek i'd like to agree with you but then we'd both be wrong wouldn't we and I think you'll find it's spelt doughnut-doughnut”
by jaygeek1
Monday, March 04 2013, 7:49AM
“@Devonportboy - You would know all about whinging judging by your previous posts. Pot calls kettle black me thinks. Any who have a differing opinion to you are suddenly berated/dismissed by you. Stay in Plymouth and choke. Donut.”
by jtme1
Monday, March 04 2013, 1:17AM
“Awsome if we get it.
However....... The judges cant get here as, when they were trying to drive through the city they got stuck at north cross, because the council are planting some flowers and blocked off half the roads.”
by jabbathebutt
Sunday, March 03 2013, 11:18PM
“I can do the city a favour ... I will print out an a4 size bit of paper and get some kids to get photographed in the Herald for 5 quid to say Plymouth is the city of culture holding it . Because thats about what its worth .
50 grand as an entrance fee on this rubbish is a farce .
I am not saying that we havent got a nice place etc... but its about time people stopped using money that they wouldnt invest if it was their own on stupid idiotic ideas like this .
How many of these (including the guy in charge of the Herald ) put of their own dosh to do the same with the so called return ?
They are all good at talking someone elses money to throw away in a stupid "competition "
The chief editor of the Herald reckons its good thing ... well let him put his own money up .
He would soon realise that all these places investing taxpayers money are involved in a scam . A scam that eventualy will give every town and city this same certificate . You only get it once . The mind boggles .”
by Devonportboy
Sunday, March 03 2013, 7:46PM
“"Hurray for leaving Plymouth in June to head nearer to London "
don't let the door smack you on the a&& on the way whingers won't be missed”
by mydogateart
Sunday, March 03 2013, 12:04PM
“People might be interested to read Phil Redmond's blog on the UK City of Culture 2017
http://tinyurl.com/ah5nsb9”
by Rick_OShay
Sunday, March 03 2013, 9:54AM
“The City of Culture bid is a vehicle for developing existing culture and enriching it. It is not a gold star for those cities that have achieved that already, as many seem to think.
There is a lot of culture and heritage in Plymouth but the city is very poor at highlighting and celebrating it.
I hope the Uni back the bid as that will give Plymouth a real chance of success.
Rick O'Shay
Zog”
by firkinjeffery
Sunday, March 03 2013, 7:20AM
“What Plymouth has that the others don't.
"Pot Holes" the finest quality pot holes.
That's privatisation folks.
f”