City of Culture 2021: Herefordshire 'disappointed but defiant'

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have just announced the cities short-listed for the prestigious title UK City of Culture 2021. Herefordshire’s bid to be UK City of Culture for the whole of Herefordshire was up against 10 other UK cities and despite an ambitious and distinctive campaign did not make the shortlist.

The Herefordshire Cultural Partnership (HCP), the team who submitted the bid, expressed their disappointment but also acknowledged that the whole process had been an outstanding measure of partnership and collaboration working at its best.

Roger Morgan, Chair of Herefordshire Cultural Partnership (HCP) said, “We are proud of our achievements that have come from this highly competitive process.  It has been extraordinary seeing the drive and focus from across the county, and the many who came together to make a compelling bid for the whole of Herefordshire.  This work will not go wasted as we continue to celebrate Herefordshire’s rich cultural offering and seek out more opportunities for the county”

HCP has already been awarded significant funding to run the national Great Places project in Herefordshire from The Heritage Lottery Fund, working with Arts Council England and Historic England.

HCP will continue to meet as a partnership and look for new opportunities as well as being committed to developing  the vision and cultural strategy for Herefordshire for the next 10 years.   Their ambition to work together, to benefit all who live, work and visit Herefordshire remains as strong as ever – work goes on and Herefordshire will continue to have #thewellyforit!

The best way to keep in touch with all the great work going on is to visit the website at www.herefordcityofculture.org and sign-up for our regular newsletter.