This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:
Richard Attenborough's blessing for culture city bid
by Dan Martin
The city's best-loved thespian, Richard Attenborough, is backing Leicester's drive to be crowned 2017 UK City of Culture.
Lord Attenborough has been unveiled by the team behind the city's bid for the title as its most high-profile supporter.
The respected actor and director grew up in Leicester with his brother, David, the renowned naturalist, and made his stage debut as a boy at the city's Little Theatre.
He has been a life-long supporter of the city's arts scene ever since.
The 89-year-old is in a frail state following a stroke in 2008, but is well enough to lend his support to Leicester's campaign to land the title.
The city is hoping to be chosen to succeed Londonderry in Northern Ireland in the competition, which is being run by the Government.
Today, Leicester and its 11 rivals submitted details of their bid in the hope of being shortlisted in June, before the winner is selected in November.
Lord Attenborough said: "I am delighted to offer my unconditional endorsement and support to Leicester's bid.
"In recent years, as the city has evolved into a huge multi-cultural centre, I have been thrilled to witness Leicester embrace and celebrate this in such an enlightened, inspired and visionary manner."
The celebrity, who has opened a Centre for Disability and the Arts here and loaned his collection of rare Picasso ceramics to be displayed in the city, said: "My experience and knowledge of Leicester's rich vein of cultural and, in particular, theatrical activity goes back over 80 years, from my first stumbling steps on the stage of the Little Theatre, through to the Phoenix, the Haymarket and now Curve."
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who is chairman of the consortium behind the bid, said Lord Attenborough's support had given it considerable weight.
"We have been touched by Lord Attenborough's heartfelt support," said Sir Peter.
"He is indeed a product of this city and very proud of his association with it.
"I am confident we have a very strong bid to put in."
The consortium revealed details of some of the events and activities it would stage in 2017 if the bid is successful. They include a "Festival of Light" based on the city's existing Diwali and bonfire night celebrations, as well as a large scale re-enactment of the Richard III story to mark the discovery of the king's bones.
Geoff Rowe, Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival founder and a member of Leicester's bidding board, said a key feature of the programme would be a portable light installation which would project images onto buildings around the city, such as the National Space Centre.
Curve chief executive Fiona Allan, also on the bidding board, said the Richard III re-enactment would involve both professional actors and thousands of members of the public, and would take place over several days at a number of venues.
The bidding team has been told by the Government that it should expect to spend £10 million on a programme of events if it is successful in being named 2017 UK City of Culture.
Sir Peter said the council was prepared to underwrite the cost but said that a large amount of the funding would come from organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council.
He said any public funds put in would be paid back "10 or 100-fold" from the tourism boost.
This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:
Backing bid to be culture city
by Alan Thompson
More than 150 people representing businesses and organisations answered mayor Sir Peter Soulsby's call to get behind Leicester's UK City of Culture bid.
In two briefing sessions at Curve this week, Sir Peter and his bid team told representatives of business, arts, faith and other organisations involved in the cultural life of the city about the latest stage of the bid.
Leicester is seeking to become the UK City of Culture in 2017.
The city's initial bid will be submitted on April 30 and the final entry in September.
At least £10 million will be needed to stage a UK City of Culture programme, according to the Government.
Leicester is one of 11 areas hoping to successfully bid for the title, held by Londonderry, in Northern Ireland.
Neil Peterson, one of the bid writers told the audience: "When Liverpool was European Capital of Culture, £120 million was spent over five years. It brought in £800 million in additional economic benefits.
"People go to places other than Leicester. It isn't as well known for its attributes as it should be. Overall, it has so much to offer. It has an outstanding cultural offer.
"A successful bid could offer significant long-term economic impact."
Artist Ashok Mistry said: "I am born and bred and work in the city. Whatever we put together needs to be artist-led – and from the heart."
George Ballentyne, of Leicester Council of Faiths, said: "I experienced Glasgow as the European City of Culture. It signalled a renaissance of the city which kick-started it as an ongoing city of culture."
Mr Ballentyne, who took his 11-year-old daughter Grace and son Harry, 12, to the meeting, said: "We need to engage people in this age group now and co-opt them in the creative processes. From now until 2017 is a huge gap in the life of a young person."
City councillor Ted Cassidy said: "There is a huge opportunity over the next five years, bringing together grassroots and young artists, people making things happen in the city. Don't let's wait until 2017."
City councillor Susan Barton said: "Leicester is already a city of culture.
"We need to make sure everyone outside Leicester knows about it as well."
This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:
"Get behind the culture city attempt"
Sir Peter Soulsby has written to more than 350 organisations inviting them to get behind Leicester's bid to become the next UK City of Culture.
The city mayor wants groups and individuals – including all 54 members of the city council – to find out more about the Leicester's bid to succeed current City of Culture Londonderry in 2017, and is holding a briefing session at Curve today.
Sir Peter said: "This is an opportunity for organisations in the city to find out why we decided to bid for the title – and how they can help us to win.
"We'll be explaining what we think the UK City of Culture title could mean for Leicester and discussing some of our initial ideas for the events that could be part of the 2017 programme."
The city's initial bid will be submitted on April 30, and a final bid in September.
If the city is on the shortlist, which will be announced in May or June, many more sessions will be arranged to give as many people as possible the chance to contribute to the bidding process, before the city's final bid is submitted.
