Wiltshire towns have missed out on the chance to be the UK’s first Town of Culture after the shortlist was revealed.
Multiple Wiltshire towns, including Devizes, Corsham, Bradford on Avon, Warminster, Westbury and Amesbury, entered into the first UK Town of Culture competition which was launched earlier this year.
They were all unveiled as applicants, alongside nearly 400 other communities, at the start of July when postcards celebrating their bids were showcased at National Museums Liverpool in a digital display.
But they have all been left disappointed after the final 15-town shortlist was revealed.
No Wiltshire towns made it onto this list despite several strong bids.
The nominated small towns were Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward.
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They were joined by medium towns like Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot, and large towns including Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham.
All shortlisted towns will receive £60,000 to work on their full bids and the winner will be announced early next year.
An independent panel will select the best small, medium and large towns from these applicants and an overall winner will then be announced.
The winner of the inaugural UK Town of Culture 2028 competition will receive a £3 million grant from the government.
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Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who launched the competition, said: “I want to say a massive congratulations to the fifteen shortlisted towns and I wish them luck in the next round of the competition.
“The fact that we received so many applications just goes to show how proud people are of their towns.
“When I launched this competition, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK and the huge contribution they make to our national life.
“I am so glad that so many towns have applied and I hope each and every town, whether they have been shortlisted or not, is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their local community.”
The independent panel will be chaired by Sir Phil Redmond.
He added: “I look forward to visiting those towns that have made the list and I am sure that, just like City of Culture, those that didn’t manage it will have found the experience of taking part worthwhile in strengthening partnerships, raising awareness and reminding us all of the depth and spread of the UK’s cultural landscape. I’d like to thank them all for that.”
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