Over 10,000 back Durham City for 2013 City of Culture

Oct 27 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

TEN thousand… and counting. That’s the growing army of people backing the bid to bring the UK City of Culture 2013 prize to the region.

Since Durham confirmed it was in the running in the summer, the groundswell of support has raced past the first 10,000 milestone.

Visitors to summer shows, as well as businesses, companies and student gatherings across County Durham have lined up to pledge their support.

Thousands have returned Back the Bid postcards, hundreds signed their names on an art gallery wall, while others have chosen to sign up online at www.durhamcityofculture.co.uk or through Facebook and Twitter.

So far, more than 11,000 people across all age groups have got behind the ambitious bid which aims to attract more visitors to the county and create jobs.

“Hitting that 10,000 milestone is a tremendous boost to the campaign,” said Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham and creative lead for the bid.

“It shows there is a groundswell of good will towards the bid from people and communities throughout the county.

“What we’d like now is for thousands more to get online or fill in a postcard to back the bid so that the total rockets even further,” she added.

In addition to the 11,328 sign-ups, a further 700 people are backing the bid on Twitter and over 70 letters of support have been received from organisations including the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, Investing in Children, GlaxoSmithKline, DFDS Seaways, Newcastle International Airport, and bus group Go North East.

Support has also come in from Niall Quinn, chairman of Sunderland AFC, the TUC, Sport England, the University of Sunderland, the Durham Hoteliers Association and the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Sir Paul Nicholson.

The bid spearheads an ambitious programme of activities, festivals and events which aims to enhance the cultural life of the county and demonstrate its ability to welcome and entertain large audiences interested in the arts, theatre and live music.

Bosses want to provide a “lasting legacy” including a stronger, more diverse economic base, vibrant creative industries and improved quality of life.

Already lined up for next month is a four-day festival of light called Lumiere which promises to transform the city.

Arts company Artichoke, which brought an enormous mechanical spider to Liverpool and a giant elephant to London, is bringing the festival to the city from November 12 to 15.

The county is one of 29 areas which have expressed an interest in bidding for the prize.

But Durham will host a Year of Culture 2013 even if it does not capture the national title.

Back Durham’s bid at www.durhamcityofculture.co.uk