THE chairman of judging panel for the UK City of Culture 2025 bid has spoken of how impressed he is with the way the people of County Durham have come together behind one vision.
Sir Phil Redmond, was leading a panel of judges on a whistlestop tour of the county to see first-hand the ambitious plans to drive growth, spark creativity and celebrate the extraordinary people and places.
He spoke as judges got together for lunch at New Durham Working Men’s Club in the city, where food was provided by REfUSE, Chester-le-Street based a social enterprise committed to reducing food waste.
Read more: City of Culture: Jeremy Vine & Lost Voice Guy backing Durham
Sir Phil said: “The thing I enjoy about the whole process is seeing how the teams come together and just listening and talking to them about what they are planning to do.
“There are some projects already in train, like the Durham Light Infantry Museum - they were talking about how that might not have happened without the idea of going for the bid, which is fantastic.”
While keeping his cards close to his chest, he said: “It’s the way the whole city and county is coming together to get behind that one vision - also reminding people about the heritage of the place. So many people in the UK live in places, but they don’t really know why.
“I think the bit about focussing on the history - talking about where the railways came from where social justice came from – that’s really an interesting story.”
An exciting and immersive timetable of activities was arranged for the judges’ eagerly anticipated visit, which followed the shortlisting of Durham’s countywide bid in March.
Historic Durham, wild Durham and industrial Durham were represented during the visit, with the judges splitting into groups to allow as much of the county as possible to be showcased.
The day will begin in Durham City at Redhills, the historic home of the Durham Miners’ Association.
Some of the panel headed to Dawdon, on the east coast, where they met local people who engaged in a community arts project called Beaches of Dreams.
The judges were able to immerse themselves in an outdoor installation the group created featuring handmade flags Other members of the panel travelled to Bishop Auckland to find out about the major regeneration projects underway in the area, including The Auckland Project, with a visit to the Spanish Gallery and No.42, where a community lunch will be taking place.
The third group, meanwhile, will see Durham City, where they explored the county’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle.
Sir Phil, said when coming to their final decision the judges are looking for “the authentic voice” of the place.
Read more: City of Culture 2025: Judges to visit County Durham TODAY
He said: “It’s about what a particular place wants to be. In Durham’s, case what they want to do with this year of culture and what kind of step changes they want to bring around .
“It’s about increasing social engagement – linking parts of the county together.
“What we are looking for is the authentic story the authentic voice of people and what’s really going to make a big impact.
“Because it’s not really about who is going to be the biggest, who is the richest or the poorest. It’s about which place will benefit most from the actual year itself.” The judges will meet in London next week, when bidders will be invited to do final two-hour presentation about the bid and then take questions from the panel.
The successful bid is expected to be announced before the end of May.
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