Crucial day for bid to win city of culture title (From Durham Times)

Crucial day for bid to win city of culture title

1:29pm Friday 11th December 2009 in News

DURHAM will today stake its claim to lead the country in culture and the arts, by submitting its bid to be the first UK City of Culture.

The ambitious effort, which has been worked up intensively right until the last minute, was sent on its way yesterday by a troupe of Durham schoolboys and Rhys Yeoman, star of Billy Elliot – the smash hit West End musical set in the county.

The portfolio is fronted by a photograph of football legend Sir Bobby Robson, born and brought up in County Durham, and his famous quip: “I’d have given my right hand to be a pianist.”

Durham was the first to declare its candidacy when the Government announced the UK City of Culture prize in January and, although about 30 rivals have since emerged, it remains a frontrunner.

Winning the title for 2013 could create thousands of jobs, boost Durham’s economy by tens of millions of pounds and see events such as the Brit Awards and BBC Sports Personality of the Year staged in the county.

Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council, said he had been blown over by the strength of support for the bid, from across the region and beyond.

“The bid is selling what we have in Durham, what we’ve had in the past and what we could have in the future. We think it’s unique and a really exciting offer. It reflects the assets of the whole county, its people and the enthusiasm of the public.”

George Garlick, the council’s chief executive, said: “We are trying to capture the spirit and voice of Durham.”

Durham’s bid has won the backing of more than 32,000 people and famous Durham figures such as Sir Thomas Allen, the Seaham-born baritone who inspired Billy Elliot.

Sir Thomas, currently starring in Der Rosenkavalier at the Royal Opera House, said: “Already a World Heritage Site, Durham deserves accolade upon accolade and I’m delighted to support the application to be UK City of Culture in 2013.”

The momentum behind Durham’s bid is growing by the day. Last month, the Lumiere light spectacular attracted more than 75,000 visitors.

Plans are afoot to create a £1.3m visitor centre for Durham Castle and Cathedral, give Durham Market Place a £5.25m revamp and revive the medieval Durham Mysteries.

Already, 2013 will see the Lindisfarne Gospels return and Durham host its first Ashes Test match.

A four-strong shortlist for UK City of Culture 2013 will be announced next year, with the deadline for final bids in May and the winner announced next summer.