Big plans ahead for borough’s year of culture
AN ‘EXCITING’ programme of events including a bridge parade and lantern walk have been unveiled for Halton’s Borough of Culture 2021 next year amid fears the pandemic and funding issues could curtail ambitions for the project.
Town Hall chiefs on Halton Borough Council’s executive board are due to meet today (September 17) and have been asked to give their provisional backing to the proposed calendar of events, but also to accept the initiative “may be subject to change”.
Project funding includes £200,000 awarded by the Liverpool City Region, to be topped up with match funding from other sources, with Halton council seeking £115,000 from Arts Council England and £220,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
A report published ahead of today’s executive board meeting warned that the council’s funding towards the Borough of Culture (BoC) will be “minimal” – with no cash for marketing and the risk of external bids being snubbed.
The proposed calendar events would in theory include a celebration of the borough’s heritage and contemporary culture, with museums, music venues and groups and other organisations all expected to contribute.
Highlights of the draft programme include:
A “bridge festival”, pitched as a “spectacular handmade parade” over the Silver Jubilee Bridge (SJB), which will be “strictly motor-free” giving groups the chance to “walk, dance and play music” across the bridge, accompanied by floats.
A lantern and illuminations walk at Norton Priory culminating in a “fire garden” and music.
Harmony Halton weekend music festival to take place across grassroots venues with the goal that it “lights up the borough with a cacophony of sounds in small venues and unusual spaces”.
The North West Vintage Rally, with an added “steam punk” attraction – alluding to the fashion and culture trend that combines Victorian and technological elements.
Other proposals include small scale public art commissioning, a “CultureHQ” in a shop unit at Runcorn Shopping City, the “Festival 10:15” arts festival for young people aged 10 to 15 years old, and the “Made in Halton” £750 grant scheme.
The report warned the plans are brewing against the backdrop of the pandemic, and will need to stay flexible.
It said: “Whilst the report sets out potentially an exciting programme of activities, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 and its impact on the visitor and cultural economy cannot be understated.
“This could have a bearing on the council’s ability to deliver the programme in its entirety.
“Equally, the breadth of the programme will be influenced by the draw down of match-funding, the level of commitment from the borough’s partners, as well as the level of human resources that can be made available to support.”