Dumfries bids to be the UK Town of Culture

DUMFRIES has entered the UK Government competition to become the first UK Town of Culture in 2028, it has emerged.

An expression of interest has been submitted this week as part of the first stage.

Decisions will be made in late spring on which locations will be invited to work up stage two detailed programme bids over the summer months.

If successful, the Dumfries team plans to showcase its cultural heritage and vibrant arts and cultural scene.

The bid has been put forward by Dumfries Partnership Action Group (DPAG) after gaining support from local representatives of the arts and cultural sector, as well as the town board and ward officer for the Nith ward.

A spokesperson for DPAG said: “We can see so many opportunities that might come from this bid. We started from a strong position with our recently registered Local Place Plan for Dumfries which very much reflected what the community and businesses told us the town needed. Featuring very high on that list was a real desire to see much more celebration of our history, culture and environment alongside a steady programme of events, festivals and family-friendly activities that drew people into the town, bringing it alive.”

Describing some of the positives locally, they added: “In recent years we’ve seen the incredible impact of the Big Xmas Lights Switch-On, Big Burns Supper and Carnival, Lights of Hope, Guid Nychburris and the growing number of music, dance and theatre events that are drawing people, not just from the town, but beyond.

“Our approach to ‘Creative Placemaking’ is also growing at national level. We’ve been told that this can be built on and going for this bid and fully involving the sector and the community, will in itself be really worthwhile.”

The competition is is organised by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport and is aimed at communities keen to champion and develop their arts, cultural and creative profiles in an effort to both reimagine and regenerate their towns.