Back our bid to win London Borough of Culture 2020
Havering Council is bidding to become the London Borough of Culture in 2020 and is calling on everyone to back the bid and become part of Havering’s history.
- Join residents and local businesses and pledge your support
- Help strengthen and showcase Havering’s unique cultural offer
- Success will bring over £1m to fund arts in the borough
The Council would like to showcase the importance of Havering’s culture and heritage, as well as the variety of arts that the borough offers. Two winning boroughs will be named London Borough of Culture, one for 2019 and the other for 2020, in February 2018.
Havering prides itself on having a strong cultural strategy including heritage buildings such as Langtons and Rainham Hall – a National Trust property, which hosts exhibitions for local residents and visitors. The Borough has a range of exciting projects taking place, including a partnership with English National Ballet exploring dance programmes with children and seniors.
The borough, boasts two theatres’ – Brookside Theatre in Romford and Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch, which is also one of the Art’s Council’s National Portfolio Organisations, (NPO) currently partnering with the National Theatre who are developing a range of projects for local residents. Havering’s Fairkytes Arts centre, which has seen the likes of Toya Willcox and looks forward to Kiki Dee performing this month, curates a wide and diverse range of exhibitions.
The creative output of the Retailery and Made Public combined with the business incubator at CEME nestled in over 100 green spaces and parks. This includes the consistently award winning Raphael’s Park in Romford. Combined with the ever popular Havering Show and other festivals, this makes Havering a great place to live, work and visit. The 67 acre Bretons site will be at the heart of the strategy offering a community led, sustainable business model for future generations.
Councillor Roger Ramsey, Leader of the Council, said:
“Havering is an exceptional borough full of culture. Entering for this award provides us with the opportunity to shine the light on our unique heritage and arts offer across the borough. Winning the London Borough of Culture would enhance our cultural strategy for the benefit of our residents and businesses.
“I encourage everyone who lives, works or visits the borough to support the bid and share our community’s rich culture. We want all artists, designers and creators to come forward and showcase their work.”
Residents can:
- Get involved
Residents and businesses can attend workshops and community engagement meetings across the borough that will be running throughout November. - Pledge support
Everyone can pledge their support with a click of a button at the culture website (now removed) - Share #StoriesofmyYouth #BackTheBidHavering
Residents and businesses can also share stories of their youth on social media using the hashtag #StoriesofmyYouth and challenge a relative or friend to do the same. Havering Council would like everyone to share their support of the bid by tagging the social media channels below and using relevant hashtags and #BackTheBidHavering.
Twitter: @haveringculture
Instagram: @havering_culture
Facebook: @haveringevents
Key organisations that have already indicated their support for the bid are:English National Ballet, National Theatre, Queens Theatre, Seven Stories who represent Michael Morpugo and other children's authors, RAF collections, Fairkytes, The Retailery, Things Made Public, My Place, Rainham library, Havering College, CEME, Collier Row Community centre amongst many others.
If you would like to support the bid please email culture@havering.gov.uk