Herefordshire Council Submits Bid to Become UK's First County of Culture
Herefordshire Council has announced the submission of an initial Expression of Interest to the Government, aiming to secure the title of the UK's first County of Culture for the year 2029. This ambitious bid could unlock up to £10 million in funding for a landmark cultural programme, positioning the rural Midlands county as a pioneer in national cultural recognition.
A Rural Vision with National Ambitions
The council's proposal, titled 'A Living Borderland', presents a distinctive rural vision shaped by the county's landscapes, communities, and shared identity. It demonstrates how culture can flourish in every corner of Herefordshire, from its market towns to its remote villages. The bid emphasises that opportunities to experience and enjoy culture should be integral to everyday life across the entire county.
Herefordshire hopes to follow the successful examples of previous UK City of Culture winners, including Bradford in 2025 and Coventry in 2023. The Government has explicitly stated that bidding is not restricted to cities, encouraging larger towns, regions, or groups of communities to apply if they can demonstrate a clear shared identity and central focus.
Partnership Approach and Economic Benefits
Councillor Elissa Swinglehurst, the Cabinet Member for Culture and Environment, described this as "a partnership bid for a rural county with big ambitions." The proposal outlines how the cultural programme would benefit both core areas and surrounding communities, including addressing rural isolation through cultural engagement.
The bid highlights the creative industry as a major driver for economic growth in Herefordshire, particularly referencing the £700 million-plus heritage-led visitor economy. It aims to create an innovative, diverse, and dispersed model that supports access to well-paid creative careers comparable to those available in major cities, while giving young people more opportunities close to home.
Lengthy Process Ahead
It is important to note that this Expression of Interest represents just the beginning of a lengthy process. The submission is a zero-cost commitment at this initial stage, occurring even before any shortlisting decisions are made. The council must now wait to see if their bid progresses to the next phase of consideration by Government officials.
If successful, Herefordshire 2029 would showcase a county alive with culture, where people, communities, artists, and landscapes converge to shape what the council describes as "a new rural story for Britain." The programme promises to demonstrate how cultural initiatives can build communities, improve wellbeing, and enrich lives across this distinctive borderland county.
