Could you help Weymouth and Portland become a County of Culture?

A bid's being submitted for the accolade in 2025

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 28th May 2024

A bid's being put together aiming to get Weymouth and Portland named as a County of Culture in 2025.

The two town councils are working together on it, and want to hear from local people and businesses about the process.

A workshop's being held today (Tuesday 28th May) at Weymouth Town Hall between 5.30 and 8.00pm.

Another's taken place on Wednesday 5th June at the Portland Community Venue, between 2.00 and 4.00pm.

What is the County of Culture?

It's aimed at towns, villages or hamlets in Dorset to work together and deliver a year’s worth of extraordinary cultural activity.

This can include new and existing creative events and projects that our communities and visitors can enjoy.

Weymouth and Portland are through to the second stage of the formal bid process.

In a joint statement, Jane Biscombe, Town Clerk at Weymouth Town Council and Matt Ryan, Town Clerk at Portland Town Council, said:

“We did it! We got through to the next round of the County of Culture application process and together, Weymouth Town Council and Portland Town Council will now write the full bid. We have until the 24th June to submit our final, exciting, partnership-based submission and for that reason, our partnership working is even more crucial to secure our success. And we need your help!

“Come along to our open, drop-in workshops and share your experience and expertise. Help us expand on key areas of the bid with exciting ideas, hopes, dreams for the future, information, and evidence. With so much to showcase in Weymouth and Portland, there is no better time to bid to become County of Culture 2025!”

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