Paisley shines for 2021 culture judges
Town brings a smile to face of ex-Brookside boss Phil
It was a big day for Paisley yesterday as judges who will decide on the UK City of Culture 2021 title came to town.
Paisley put on its best bib and tucker for the guests, who were led by chief judge Phil Redmond CBE, best known as the man behind 1980s Channel 4 soap opera Brookside and school drama Grange Hill.
Asked by the Paisley Daily Express if he had been met by the smell of fresh paint everywhere he went as he toured various venues in the town, Mr Redmond, said: “It’s inevitable, isn’t it?
“I specifically asked that we didn’t just want to see the crown jewels, we just wanted to see the place for what it is, you know.
“We’ve been on a bus tour round most of the town to see what it’s like.
“But it ’ s important to understand not how you can do the high-end culture, but see why you need the bid and what will actually change, what will the place do with that bid.”
Mr Redmond said he had never been to Paisley before and, asked if he would like to come back, he said: “That’s one of those trick questions.
“I’ve fallen in love with every single city I go to.”
Paisley gave a real Buddie welcome to the judges, who were treated to a tour of Scotland’s largest town.
They took in famous sites such as the 12th century Abbey and Victorian-era town hall.
They later visited a series of community groups and projects at the Tannahill Centre in the heart of Ferguslie Park to see the town’s diverse range of cultural programmes in action.
During the visit the judges met several groups including Renfrewshire’s award-winning youth diversionary project Street Stuff and Strong Women in Ferguslie Together (SWIFT).
They also popped in to the STAR Project, which is committed to building safer, more connected and resilient families and communities.
The judges also met with some of the members of local sewing group the Feegie Needlers, which is made up of nursery kids, young mums and the elderly and aims to teach new skills and encourage social inclusion.
Group member Elaine Carter said: “It was great to chat to the judges, introduce them to some of the kids in the group and tell them about what we do. They seemed impressed.
“The whole place was buzzing, the atmosphere was brilliant. Let’s get it!”
Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron said the group was treated to a “diverse range” of culture.
She added: “The competition has already proved positive for Paisley. It has taken awareness of our internationally-significant story to a new level and changed perceptions of the town.
“It’s also brought a new sense of self- confidence to residents and shown them how the power of culture can be harnessed to change people’s lives for the better.
“Buddies have really helped the town shine – shown what Paisley can bring to the UK and why the town wants the title, needs the title, and will deliver a year of world-class culture in 2021.”
The bid has also been backed by some of the town’s most highprofile figures, including singer Paolo Nutini, who performed an exclusive charity concert in the town last week, actor Gerard Butler, designer Pam Hogg and artist John Byrne, who also met the judges during the visit.
Paisley is bidding to be UK City of Culture 2021 as part of wider plans to transform the town’s future using its unique story as the home of the world-renowned Paisley Pattern.
The town is the only Scottish place on the final shortlist announced by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport alongside Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea. Paisley will find out if it has been successful in December.
For more information on Paisley’s bid, see www. paisley2021.co.uk