Llangollen has decided to go ahead with a bid to become the UK's first official Town of Culture, which could lead to a cash boost of up to £3 million.
The newly-launched contest, which is a national initiative from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), invites towns of all sizes across the UK to showcase original storytelling and accessible, empowering cultural activity to win the title.
DCMS will pick winners across three size categories - small, medium and large - with one overall UK Town of Culture selected from these.
The winning town will receive £3 million to deliver a six‑month cultural programme in 2028, while the category finalists will receive £250,000 each to develop elements of their proposals.
* Town Clerk Gareth Thomas, left, gives details of the bid while the Mayor, Cllr Aled Morris, chairs the meeting.
Winners are due to be announced early next year with successful projects the prize-money pays for having to be delivered in 2028.
Local individuals and organisations were invited by the Town Council to a public meeting at the Town Hall tonight (Tuesday) to gauge local support for a bid.
Over 50 people, including community groups, cultural and heritage organisations, local businesses and other interested parties, turned up to hear a presentation on the competition by Town Clerk Gareth Thomas who outlined the many benefits of making a successful bid.
He said: "It's a chance to amplify Llangollen's Voice nationally and internationally and enables us to celebrate our language, music, heritage, the arts and creativity.
"It would be a boost for tourism, local businesses, job creation and skill development.
"I see participation in the competition going across the generations and presenting many opportunities for volunteering.
"I think Llangollen is ready for this. We've got proven cultural strengths and we've always been ambitious.
"I think it would be lovely if we could position ourselves as a cultural leader."
There was unanimous support for the bid from the audience, with no voices of dissent being raised.
Representatives of two of the town's major organisations - the Eisteddfod and the heritage railway - both gave their support for the bid.
David Hennigan, trust manager of the railway, said: "It's a wonderful thing and this can be a real springboard for the town. We are ready to play our part and we fully support this."
Eisteddfod chair John Gambles said: "We're completely behind the plan. I'm sure we can find someone amongst our volunteers who can be part of it."
Mr Gambles was answering a call from the Town Clerk for interested people to become part of groups representing various interests in the town which would help co-ordinate the bid.
Mr Thomas said he had already prepared the framework for the submission, which would be further worked on and then taken back to an overall group for more consultation by mid-March.
"Hopefully, we will then have the bid ready by the end of this year," he added.
"It's exciting but scary as well. But I think we at least have a fairly good chance of succeeding."
.jpg)
