The people of Alnwick say YES to Town of Culture bid
Residents aged five to ninety-four have shared their ideas as Alnwick explores an ambitious bid for UK Town of Culture.
More than 1,000 people from across the Alnwick community have taken part in a series of consultation events designed to help shape the town’s bid. The engagement programme included school workshops, a business breakfast and a public consultation event, bringing together residents, organisations and young people to co-create a long-term cultural vision for the town.
The consultation was organised by the Alnwick Town of Culture Steering Group, which brings together Alnwick Community Enterprise, Alnwick Playhouse, Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery, Alnwick Town Council, The Alnwick Garden and Alnwick Castle. Together, the group is exploring how Alnwick could develop an ambitious cultural programme that reflects the town’s identity, heritage and future aspirations.
Early findings show strong public support for the idea, with nine out of ten participants backing Alnwick’s exploration of the Town of Culture opportunity. The emerging cultural vision draws on Alnwick’s distinctive identity as “The Town Where Northumbria Lives” – a place where the traditions, landscape and community spirit of Northumbria are not preserved in the past but lived every day. The proposed programme would celebrate this identity through festivals, performances, storytelling and community events that bring together heritage, creativity and the natural landscape.
The engagement has also been genuinely intergenerational, involving contributors aged five to ninety-four. Hundreds of school pupils took part in workshops and creative sessions, ensuring that young people’s perspectives are helping shape the programme from the outset.
Rosie Bush, Teacher at Duchess’s Community High School, highlighted the importance of giving young people a voice:
“I think it’s great that our young people are being asked for their ideas as they have a real passion for the area. We’re lucky to have such a rich history in Alnwick and also lots of creativity, but it would be amazing to see even more music, festivals and events happening in the town.”
Feedback from school workshops highlighted strong interest in cultural activity led by young people. Music and live performance emerged as the most requested activities, followed by food festivals, sports events, film and television experiences and outdoor activities.
Local businesses also made a strong contribution, emphasising how a Town of Culture programme could boost tourism, support local enterprise and bring renewed energy to the town centre. Reflecting that strong business support, Dr Steve Byard, Principal Research Fellow at Arcinova, said: “Alnwick is truly unique, with a juxtaposition of medieval heritage and a thriving modern business community. Many of the sectors identified in the UK’s industrial strategy, from life sciences to digital technologies and creative industries, are represented here alongside our well-regarded retail and hospitality sector. This bid for Town of Culture 2028 has been met with phenomenal support across the Alnwick business community.”
Throughout the consultation, participants also emphasised the importance of Alnwick’s rich heritage, its medieval history, historic buildings, the Castle and Gardens, and traditions such as Shrovetide football, as a foundation for future cultural programming.
Peter Hately, Town Clerk, speaking on behalf of Alnwick Town Council, added: “The response from the community has been fantastic. We’ve heard from people across the town, from schoolchildren to long-standing residents and local businesses, and their ideas are helping shape a cultural vision that truly reflects Alnwick. This isn’t a bid written for the town; it’s a cultural programme being shaped by the people who live here.”
For further information contact info@alnwickculture.org
Pictured: One of the consultation events at Alnwick Playhouse
