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Council leader hoping
culture will be Carlisle's new best friend Contrary to so many recent rumblings of scathing disdain, his current conflict is not with an adversary called culture; nor even with UK City of Culture – to give it its full Sunday name. In spite of deeply cynical protestations rising from all corners of Carlisle, Mike remains adamant that culture, in all its many, diverse and surprisingly exciting forms, will be Carlisle’s new best friend... positively. The city’s council leader is insistent that by showcasing Carlisle’s hidden depths of natural beauty, creativity, artistic talent, community cohesion, heritage and rural traditions, overdue recognition will be awarded to a city too long overshadowed by its own negativity and underestimation of its exceptional qualities. He’s passionate about turning ‘can’t do’ into ‘can do’; serious about building on what’s good, enhancing and improving what’s not so good, creating a climate for cultural innovation. Giving Carlisle her rightful due of honest admiration. “I’m sick of people from other cities telling me they’ve driven past Carlisle. I tell them there are three motorway accesses to the city – for goodness sake, take one of them, come in and have a look. Change your impressions.” It’s no secret that, up to press, things haven’t quite been going according to praise-singing plan. Carlisle’s City of Culture bid wouldn’t top any popularity polls right now. “It was never going to be all plain sailing,” Mike shrugged, the resignation of a man who recognises when he can’t do right for doing wrong. “When we decided to bid for UK City of Culture status, we knew some scepticism was to be expected. “People have a particular way of seeing their own city – their home. “It can be taken as being a bit insular sometimes but I’m not going to criticise anyone for taking a personal view of where they live. Here though, with this bid, was a chance for Carlisle to shine and why would we not take the opportunity to have a shot at making something really good happen for this city? It would have been mad not to.” The damned if we do, damned if we don’t principle tends to make more sense of the UK City of Culture bidding, undertaken in partnership by Carlisle City Council with Renaissance, the University of Cumbria and Tullie House. It kicks in a “why the heck not?” factor, prompting another obvious question: “What’s to lose?” “There’s nothing to lose,” maintains the council leader. “This is a win, win bid. If we win – and be sure we are bidding to win – we’ll have new streams of investment and funding coming into the city, new businesses showing interest, increased tourism, the start of the population growth we need to prosper, national and international media exposure worth millions. The winning city will host events including the Turner Prize, The Brits and the TV Baftas, in the year 2013. “If we don’t win, then together in Carlisle we will have opened all our minds to what’s possible and will have started to make it happen. If we don’t win this time we can bid again to win next time. Nobody can be criticised for trying to do the best they can for the place they call home.” Bookies have rated Carlisle as an outsider in the cultural bidding race, alongside Wakefield and Chorley at 33/1 and just ahead of Hull at 50/1. That doesn’t faze Mike: “I keep telling them in the council chamber – place your bets now, before the odds shorten. And believe me, the odds will definitely shorten.” So what does Carlisle have – what can it hope to acquire – to compete with any confidence against cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford? “For a start, we’re bigger,” he said. “Carlisle is technically – by area though not by population – the largest city in England and has the enviable advantage of encompassing a huge rural hinterland, teeming with diverse cultural activities and pursuits. Sprawling urbanised cities can’t boast that. They have none of the variety we have. “Leek festivals are cultural, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling is cultural, what happens in village halls and community centres every day, week in week out, is cultural – each village and hamlet is its own theatre, dance hall, activity and exhibition space. “As an example, last week at Lanercost Priory, international jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard played to a packed house. He held music workshops in the community hall before his performance. No one could dismiss an event like that as being not quite cultural, just because it was out of town.” His point that the common definition of “culture” can too often be narrowly drawn has to be accepted. It points plainly to the need for a shared willingness to develop the inherent character of Carlisle and celebrate it with open minds; showcase it proudly to a wider audience... not least to the City of Culture judges. “Yes, we need a dedicated theatre and we will have one – I can promise that. Working with our partners, we will achieve the central space we need for shows, concerts, drama, exhibitions. But we also need to avoid confining the idea of theatre to a single dedicated building in the centre of town. “Street theatre is important to the vibrancy of Carlisle. Ancient buildings – the cathedral, our churches, the castle, village halls – all provide space for performing arts and all the talent that is very characteristic of Carlisle.” So, nothing ruled out and nothing ruled in, then? “Nothing, apart from the ruling in of a public debate, enthusiastic discussion of ideas and plans for what’s possible to enhance the essential identity of Carlisle; what’s needed to raise the city’s profile. The city’s culture comes from its population, not from the council or the Renaissance board – we are no more than facilitators.” There has clearly been a blip in that communal plan. Mike Mitchelson admits something may have been lost in early communication of intention to bid for Carlisle’s rightful place at the top of the UK's league of its fine cities. Since the bid was made public, most frequently asked questions have been along the lines of: Who is in charge? Culture – what culture? What are they going to do? When are they going to do it? What does it mean for the Lonsdale? Negativity always floods in to fill a vacuum and announcement of intention to bid to be the best has thus far rattled around in an echoing empty space. Consequently, many people reacted rather too quickly by snapping the answer: “No!” before enquiring as to what the question might be; “We don’t want that!” before thinking of what may be on offer. The question, it’s now clear, should have been: “How can we all work together to celebrate the specialness of Carlisle?” Mike Mitchelson believes the city will get behind the drive to fire up cultural identity in Carlisle. Winning this bid, especially as an outsider, must surely be a tantalising prospect – even to the most deeply cynical. “No change is not an option for Carlisle,” he said firmly. “And I won’t apologise to anyone for wanting to secure Carlisle’s future. “There’s a lot involved in cementing a future for this city. We have to grow our population, attract more visitors, develop our university, improve leisure amenities, raise the retail game, attract new businesses, create a city that doesn’t close down at 6pm – and yes, develop a functioning airport which will bring new business, attract investment and open access for people who live here to new, less familiar cultures through travel. “Carlisle can’t afford to stagnate. No city stands still and survives. Cultural development is a part of the whole. But it’s a very important part and one I sincerely hope people in Carlisle will engage with fully.” Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top] 'Carlisle too weak to win national culture title,'
say city arts groups Carlisle Renaissance gathered some of the most prominent names from the city’s cultural scene to discuss the application at the city’s Crown & Mitre Hotel on Monday. There was unanimous agreement that the development of culture is vital for the city. But there were doubts from the organisations about the capacity to deliver a case strong enough to win the title. There is a belief among artists that culture has been largely ignored by the authorities. As a result they fear the city may be in too weak a position to seek glory at this stage. Carlisle Renaissance is leading the bid to become the UK’s first City of Culture in 2013. The winner stands to receive £100m worth of free publicity says Renaissance, but the concept has been criticised in some quarters for being an over-ambitious drain on resources. Hannah Stewart, of Free Range Artists, said failure could be a “PR disaster”. She added: “It’s not just Carlisle Renaissance that would be putting its head above the parapet, it’s the creative sector and we’re saying that we’ve been underfunded and we’ve had nothing from you.” Artist Richard Webster wanted to know what contribution Carlisle Renaissance was making to the promotion of culture. He said: “People in this room are already doing it, what are you bringing?”
But alongside the reservations there was some strong approval for the bid. Euan Cartwright, vice-chairman of the University of Cumbria board of directors, praised its ambition. He said Carlisle is a growing city with more than enough to recommend itself. Jane Beardsworth, of the North West Arts Council, said she was convinced that locals were behind attempts to boost culture. Carlisle Renaissance chairman Bryan Gray, in answer to queries about the expense of the campaign, told the conference it could cost as little or as much as desired. He argued that Carlisle needed a cultural renaissance anyway, so there was ‘no downside’ to putting effort into the application. According to Mr Gray, the key factors judges would be looking for were vision, impact and legacy. He said it was not a matter of what Carlisle has to offer right now, it’s more a case of what are its plans for the future. “We can go so much further than areas already considered as cultural powerhouses,” he said. Mr Gray agrees that securing public support is a essential. But he has no immediate plans to canvass residents’ opinions because there is not enough information to offer. Carlisle Renaissance director Ian McNichol is aware of the desire for details but said it was too early for specifics. “We would be doing ourselves a great disservice if we just got up there and said the bid is about ‘this’. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if frontiers was part of the theme as we can play around with that culturally and artistically. “The urban/rural relationship is something else we could look at. “Sometimes when you get to the end, you look back and think ‘of course, that was obvious’ but you do need to go through the process.” Carlisle’s initial bid has to be entered by December 11, short-listing will take place in January. Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top] How rivals view Carlisle's bid to become UK
City of Culture So much for a dictionary definition. Culture can mean different things to different people – and to different towns, cities and regions of our country, looking at those bidding to be named the UK’s City of Culture 2013. Last week some of the team preparing Carlisle’s bid travelled to Liverpool to learn directly from the Government what it expects of bidders. One of the strongest messages was to highlight the pride and passion of Carlisle residents. Now Carlisle residents are being urged to back the bid. Bryan Gray, chairman of Carlisle Renaissance, said: “We are determined to highlight Carlisle as a strong cultural contender. We must use what we have to build a bid that showcases Carlisle’s strengths and how much local people care about their city.” Some of the bidders are looking for more interest in and recognition of their city or area, others are hoping for an economic boost. But Carlisle may stand a better chance of claiming the title than you may think. The initial list of would-be bidders confusingly includes places that aren’t a city (Chorley), cities who aren’t that keen on the contest anyway (Manchester) and the, er, ‘countryside’ Rural tourism and farming bosses launched the bid on behalf of this nation’s green and pleasant land. Farm Stay UK, the National Trust and the NFU are lobbying the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the grounds that the countryside is culturally rich but needs support to showcase all that it has to offer. “We are instigating a bid for The UK City of Culture 2013 as we know the countryside has just as much to offer culturally as any city in the UK,” said Andy Woodward, chief executive of Farm Stay UK. Bookmakers Paddy Power make it an 18/1 chance of winning, while Hull is rated a 50/1 rank outsider. Hull city council leader Carl Minns insists his city is in it to win it, but like Carlisle, Hull has to overcome some cliched perceptions. “People who haven’t been think we’re the last stop on the line, but when they get here, they think differently,” he said. “They think we’re a dirty old fishing port, but we have nine museums and have just launched the Freedom Festival – one of the biggest festivals in the country. “We want to attract high quality events to come here and the title of City of Culture will help us to attract them. “If you are going to do something, you do it to win. I don’t see why places like Birmingham, Manchester or Liverpool should get something like this and Hull can’t.” He reckons Carlisle is a serious rival with a lot going for it: “I love your part of the world, I used to go across there a lot and spent time in Carlisle and in the Lake District. “Unfortunately, like Hull, you suffer from an ‘end of the line’ image. It is not, but that is the perception. “You have the Lake District overshadowing you, but I like history and you are on the border, Hadrian’s Wall starts there and you have the castle.” Another rival is the Lancashire market town of Chorley, perhaps best known for the Chorley FM Radio station from comedian Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights comedy series. Although it is not even a city, Chief Executive of Chorley Council, Donna Hall, said: “The cultural offering in Chorley has really grown over the last few years and although there’s always room for more, we’re very proud of what we have to offer.” Among the real-life cultural offerings are the Chorley Markets, which date back several hundred years; Astley Hall and Coach House, where Oliver Cromwell was once said to have stayed; Hoghton Tower, where the sirloin steak was born and the Chorley Little Theatre which has staged amateur dramatic performances since 1910. There is no financial prize to go with the title, but it is planned that the winning city would host events such as the Turner Prize, the Brits and the TV Baftas. The title will be conferred every four years and is expected to raise the winner’s national and international profile, boosting tourism and investment. A shortlist will be announced in January and the winner will be named next Easter. County Durham has been working on its campaign since January and a dedicated website went live this week. Famous for its cathedral, the city is keen to feature its other aspects. Like Carlisle, it is a small city at the heart of a large rural area. Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham is leading the bid and reckons culture is a moneyspinner for any area. Critics, such as Cumbria County Council leader Jim Buchanan have attacked the cost of putting together such a bid as a ‘waste of money’. Bath and North East Somerset Council said putting in a bid would be too expensive at a time when public spending is facing tight curbs. “Culture can be an easy target in times of recession,” counters Melanie. “When we looked at Glasgow’s experience of becoming European City of Culture 20 years ago, by the time their year had finished, 53,000 people were employed as a result – which is more than the shipyards at the height of their industry. “Culture is very important to the economic future of a place and has a role to play in economic success.” She declined to pick out any particular rival to Durham’s bid, insisting: “They are all as valid as each other, for Durham, culture is a part of our future.” When pushed to reveal what she thought about Carlisle, she said: “Erm... it is a lovely city. I have been there – once. “It is a nice city, it feels welcoming, has nice architecture and is part of a trip to the Lake District.” According to bookmakers Paddy Power, Manchester is the early favourite for the title. Boasting internationally-acclaimed theatres, art galleries, museums and libraries, a glittering Premiership football club (and a second in nearby Salford), it is easy to see why it is rated 4/1 favourite. But there is some good news for Carlisle. A spokeswoman for the city council said: “We’re not sure if we’re going to go through with the bid yet. We’re waiting to hear the full details of the contest first.” Leicester (a 16/1-shot) also seems lukewarm about the competition. A council spokeswoman said: “We’ve not decided whether to make a bid yet. We’ve put an expression of interest in, but not made a final decision.” Outline bids have to be submitted to the Government by October 16. This provides an opportunity to receive and respond to feedback before the Initial Bid is submitted on December 11. Shortlisted bidders have to submit full and final bids next May. Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top] Bookmakers say Carlisle has little chance
of being named City of Culture The Irish bookmaker is currently offering odds of 33/1 that Carlisle will scoop the title – placing the city second bottom to Hull at 50/1. Manchester comes out as favourite – 4/1 – followed by Birmingham (5/1), Oxford (8/1) and Brighton (10/1). Bath, which had been 8/1, announced on Friday that it was pulling out because putting together a bid would be too expensive with public spending facing cuts. The winning city would host a string of glittering events including the Turner Prize, The Brits and the TV Baftas, in the year 2013. Carlisle’s chances are equal to Chorley and Wakefield, which also have odds of 33/1. News of the bookies’ lack of faith in Carlisle will deal another blow to Renaissance chiefs, who put the city’s name forward to become the UK’s first City of Culture 2013, after the county council said they were sceptical about its chance of success. On Saturday, county council leader Jim Buchanan branded the bid a ‘waste of money’ and said they would find it difficult to ‘back such a project.’ “I think Carlisle is a wonderful city and I love the place but in this context I think it is a step too far,” he added. Guidance from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – which is overseeing the process – says the partnership behind a bid should include ‘the relevant local authorities.’ Bryan Grey, chairman of Carlisle Renaissance, has defended the decision to bid. He said it was ‘central to the future of Carlisle’ and that the city would benefit from taking part, even if the bid fails. “We need to decide what makes Carlisle a loveable city and build on that,” he said. “If we get that right, people will come and people will enjoy living here more. I can’t see a downside.” Ian McNichol, director of Carlisle Renaissance, said: “Carlisle has a vibrant and diverse cultural offer, and one we need to make more of if we’re going to unlock the most economic and social benefits. “There are many people in Carlisle with real passion and ambition for the city, together with strong ideas about what should be in the bid. This will undoubtedly prove to be Carlisle’s biggest asset in the City of Culture competition.” The City of Culture title will be conferred on a new city every four years. It will not bring any official funding but should boost tourism and investment. Paddy Power spokesman Darren Haines said: “It will be interesting to see if proud punters back their own towns with a bet.” A shortlist of cities will be announced next May and the final winner announced later in the year. Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top] Councils at war over Carlisle's City of Culture
bid Carlisle Renaissance has put the city’s name forward to become the first UK City of Culture in 2013. But Carlisle faces competition from at least 28 other locations including Bath, Chester, Oxford and Manchester. Now Cumbria County Council has formally distanced itself from the bid. Council leader Jim Buchanan said: “We would find it difficult to back such a project. It would be a diversion at a time when we face serious budgetary difficulties. “I am also sceptical about its chances of success when you look at some of the other places put forward. “I think Carlisle is a wonderful city and I love the place but in this context I think it is a step too far.” Liverpool was European City of Culture in 2008. The intention is that the new UK title will be conferred every four years. It will not bring any official funding but should boost tourism and investment. Areas, which need not be cities, have until December to put their names forward. A shortlist will be announced in January and the winner at Easter. Bryan Gray, chairman of Carlisle Renaissance, has defended the decision to bid. He said: “Far from being a distraction, this is central to the future of Carlisle.” He argued that, even if its bid fails, the city will benefit from taking part. Mr Gray added: “We will have a conversation about what it is that makes the city and how we can play to our strengths in culture. “I hear a lot about how Carlisle needs a performance space and ‘save the Lonsdale’. They’re missing the point. “We need to decide what makes Carlisle a loveable city and build on that. Buildings are just part of it. “If we get that right, people will come and people will enjoy living here more. I can’t see a downside.” Unlike the county council, Carlisle City Council supports the bid. At this stage candidates have only to express an interest. Others declared so far are: Aberdeen; Barnsley; Bath; Belfast; Birmingham; Bradford; Brighton; Chester; Chichester; Chorley; Cornwall; County Durham; Derby; Derry; Gloucester and Cheltenham; Hull; Ipswich; Leicester; Manchester; Norwich; Oxford; Pennine Lancashire; Reading; Sheffield; South Hampshire; and Wakefield. There is a further bid from “The Countryside” on behalf of rural areas and one from an unnamed city. Meanwhile, Carlisle’s Green Party is calling for the Renaissance board and director Ian McNichol to be sacked. The party has accused Renaissance of wasting public money and falsely claiming credit for the University of Cumbria’s proposed Carlisle Campus, which would have happened anyway. Members want the private-sector-led Renaissance board to be replaced by elected councillors to take forward plans for a theatre and arts centre. John Reardon, the Green’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Carlisle and a former Labour city councillor, said: “It’s not just a case of ending this obscene spending spree of taxpayers’ money. “It’s also about getting some basic management and organisational issues resolved. “If somewhere as small as Kendal can have the Brewery [arts centre], there’s no reason why we can’t have something similar in Carlisle.” Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top] Carlisle City of Culture bid – the rivals Some 29 locations have so far been named as part of the bid process and two others have expressed an interest. They are, Aberdeen, Barnsley, Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton & Hove, Carlisle, Chester, Chichester, Chorley Council, City of Bath, Cornwall, County Durham, Derby, Derry City, Gloucester & Cheltenham, Hull, Ipswich & Haven Gateway, Leicester City, Manchester, Norwich, Oxford, Pennine Lancashire, Reading, Sheffield, 'The Countryside', Urban South Hampshire and Wakefield. One of the more unusual bids comes from ‘The Countryside’ – which has put in a bid for rural areas to win the title. Farm Stay UK, together with leading countryside organisations the National Trust and the National Farmers’ Union, has put in the bid. Andy Woodward, chief executive of Farm Stay UK, said: “We are instigating a bid as we know the countryside has just as much to offer culturally as any city in the UK.” Carlisle Renaissance boss Ian McNichol and city council leader Mike Mitchelson are attending a fact finding seminar in Liverpool today to find out how to prepare for the next stage of the bid. The winning place, to be announced next spring, will host big ticket national cultural events, as well as putting on a year-long programme of their own. TV producer Phil Redmond, the architect of Liverpool’s highly successful year as European capital of Culture in 2008, will chair the judging panel for the City of Culture competition. Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, who announced the bidding cities, said: “This is a fantastic response. Liverpool’s experience last year proves that cultural life most definitely does not begin and end within the M25. "It also shows that a cultural spotlight on a city can have a fantastic effect on inward investment and give a real lift to local morale and community spirit. And with a number of eye-catching national events set to locate to the winning city during ‘their’ year, I’m sure that even more bids will come in before the final deadline at the end of the year.” Mr McNichol said: “It is early in the process and we need to learn as much as possible about what may constitute a successful bid. “It’s already clear that cultural and creative industry is alive and kicking in Carlisle, with a vibrant and diverse cultural scene. “Nurturing this offer will strengthen the contribution it makes to the city’s economy and make Carlisle more attractive to investors and visitors, as well as creating a heightened sense of wellbeing and quality of life for local people. “It’s definitely an opportunity for people and organisations that care about Carlisle to celebrate the city’s unique cultural offer and show the rest of the country the pride of place residents demonstrate so passionately.” Mr Mitchelson said: “All of us who have a passion for Carlisle and its future success, need to play our part to champion the city for its cultural assets – whether that is through the arts, education, heritage and sport. “We are working hard to support the city’s economy, create jobs and enhance skills and learning. UK City of Culture is about looking to the future with an aspiration and vision of what we can achieve and offer in the future in all these areas.” An outline bid for City of Culture will be submitted to Government on October 16, and the initial bid on December 11. SOME OF THE RIVALS Barnsley Cultural highlights include the Cooper Gallery, Design Centre, Cannon Hall Museum & Country Park, Monk Bretton Priory and Wentworth Castle Gardens. It has two theatres – Lamproom and Penistone Paramount. Bath It has beautiful Georgian architecture, graceful crescents like Royal Crescent, the Roman Baths and the Thermae Bath Spa, Bath Abbey and links with Jane Austen. Belfast Museums and places of interest including The Titanic’s Dock and Pumphouse and the Ulster Folk Transport Museum offer an insight into the history, industrial heritage and times gone by. Birmingham Home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham really is a city of world-class culture. Also has the National Indoor Arena and world-class Bullring shopping centre with a futuristic golf ball home to the Selfridges store. Brighton & Hove From the stunning heritage of the Royal Pavilion, Regency architecture and Victorian aquariums to the traditional seaside fun of the famous Brighton Pier and pebble beach, Brighton offers something for everyone. Chester Also has boat tours on the river and Chester Races, the Blue Planet Aquarium and the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet Village. Chorley It also has Astley Hall Museum and Art Gallery. It currently features in Britain's Best 1,000 Houses. Also has the beautiful Yarrow Valley Country Park. Hull The Seven Seas Fish trail can lead you on a tour of the Old Town. Norwich Norwich has over 30 medieval churches within the city walls alone. It is also home to the Victorian Plantation Garden. Sheffield It is sometimes referred to as the Rome of the North because it was built on seven hills. Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top] |
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