KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE BRIEFING

At Leicester's medieval Guildhall this afternoon (the hottest day of the year so far) for a briefing for "key individuals and organisations" regarding the latest developments on the King Richard III Visitor Centre and its relation to Leicester's bid to become UK City of Culture 2017.

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby leads both parts of the meeting, with contributions from many of the attendees, representing interested parties from city and county.

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby & Nisha Popat (Business Development Manager, Leicester City Council)

Early in the meeting we break into small groups for a quick bit of workshopping, in which we consider three questions:

• What are the opportunities for the city in general in relation to Richard III?
• What are the opportunities for your organisation in relation to Richard III?
• What opportunities could arise for your organisation from the Richard III Visitor Centre?

It's revealed for the first time today that the major themes around which the Richard II visitor experience will be structured are:

• Death
• Dynasty
• Discovery

Since final planning approval is still pending for the Visitor Centre and eveyone is avoiding the temptation to count their chickens before they've hatched, the presentation today is more concept than content. But even that offers an inspiring glimpse of the benefits to come.

There's an exhibition of artist's impressions of the Visitor Centre that we can peruse at our leisure before and after the formal presentations. A few of us sneak into the temporary Richard III exhibition in the Cathedral Visitor Centre attached to the Guildhall. This exhibition welcomed its 100,000th visitor this week.

I'm glad to see Smita Shah here. Smita represents the Jain Centre on Leicester Council of Faiths, Since the Jain Centre is just a stone's throw from the site of the Visitor Centre, she publicly acknowledges that they expect a positive impact on the number and range of visitors they'll expect to receive once the Visitor Centre opens. I hope that the example of the Jain Centre will help other faith communities and organisations in the city feel involved in what has already become a great boon to Leicester - one which can only increase in years to come.

OUR CULTURE CITY RIVALS ARE "CRAP"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Our culture city rivals are "crap"

by Peter Warzynski

Leicester's three City of Culture rivals have been included in a national list of the UK's "crap towns''.

Hull, Dundee and Swansea all appear on the Crap Towns longlist – a collection of the 100 worst towns and cities in Great Britain.

However, Leicester – the home of Richard III, National Space Centre, Curve theatre and the Attenboroughs – is nowhere to be seen on the roster of rubbish places to live.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby welcomed the news, but said the real test would come in November when the 2017 UK City of Culture winner is revealed.

"Well, I already knew Leicester wasn't crap," he said.

"But I rather suspect that this list is a bit tongue in cheek because I know the three other City of Culture contenders have a lot to offer.

"So let's wait until November and we can prove once and for all we are the best city."

The 100 nominees will be whittled down to 50 via an online vote and included in a book of the UK's worst places to live.

Also making it on to the longlist is York – whose supporters are locked in a bitter battle with the University of Leicester over where the remains of Richard III should be laid to rest.

Despite Leicester's exclusion from the list, one county town made it into the top 100.

Loughborough can be found nestled comfortably between London and Louth, in Lincolnshire, on the alphabetical census of crapness.

Hearing the news yesterday, Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan said: "How deeply unfair. This has clearly been put together by someone who has never been to Loughborough.

"I know it's all a bit of fun, and tongue in cheek, but nobody wants to hear their home has been nominated as a 'crap town'.

"Oh well... I just hope people get voting and make sure that Loughborough doesn't make it any further than the top 100.

"We have a great town here, with a fantastic community spirit, wonderful tourist attractions and a top-class university."

David Cameron's constituency, Chipping Norton, is also on the longlist.

The quaint Oxfordshire market town – home to Jeremy Clarkson – is a surprise addition, but Crap Towns Returns editor Sam Jordison said it was not all about appearance.

He said: "Crap comes in many forms. Very often, the kind of towns that estate agents would describe as 'desirable' are the most stultifying, the most ugly and the most unpleasant to live in.

"They also tend to be full of the most ridiculous people. Our correspondents don't like Mayfair any more than they like deprivation and squalor.

"In fact, they often finger the affluent places as the cause of all the trouble in the first place. Or at least for failing to do anything about it and for having terrible, terrible pubs."

CULTURE CLASH!

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Jon Ashworth MP (Labour: Leicester South)

Culture clash! 

MP takes on rivals in support of city's bid for 2017 honour 

by Dan Martin

MPs locked horns yesterday in a parliamentary debate about the 2017 UK City of Culture contest.

Politicians representing the 11 areas bidding for the title gathered to discuss the merits of their various bids.

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth, who came up with the idea of having the debate to stimulate interest in the competition, told rivals Leicester's case was "overwhelming".

He outlined the discovery of Richard III's remains, the city's history of radical politics and its diverse culture as plus points in its favour but said its people were its biggest asset.

"That's our trump card – the people of Leicester coming together," said Mr Ashworth.

"That's what Leicester is about. That's why our case is overwhelming, because we have the best people. 

"Of course, we have found Richard III. He was buried in Leicester for 500 years and we recently found him in a Leicester City Council social services car park.

"We therefore have royalty in Leicester, and I say to honourable friends from Yorkshire, we are holding on to him. Keep your hands off.

"Cardinal Wolsey is also buried somewhere in Abbey Park and it is perhaps time we dug him up, too."

Mr Ashworth said: "Leicester is a city of tremendous diversity. Here, people could be greeted with the words 'As-salam alaykum', 'Namaste', 'Sat sri akaal' or, more simply, 'Alreet, me duck'."

Aberdeen, Chester, Dundee, East Kent, Hastings and Bexhill-on-Sea, Hull, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Southampton, Southend-on-Sea and Swansea bay have submitted initial bids and judges are to pick a short list of four later this summer.

Leicester currently sits as second favourite with the bookies at odds of 5-1, behind Chester.

It is expected the eventual winner will see a surge in visitors, boosting its economy by millions of pounds.

Yesterday's debate was called – or started – by Southend West MP David Amess, who had previously described some of the other bidding cities as dumps.

While speaking in support of his own town's bid, he referred, in error to King Edward's remains being discovered in a Leicester car park, before correcting himself.

He said: "I am biased. I think that Southend is the strongest bid. Our bid is themed, quite beautifully, around the Thames estuary, which flanks our town.

"Fittingly, if Southend wins the bid, a museum of the Thames estuary would be developed and we would continue to partner other estuarial areas across the world."

Swansea West MP Geraint Davies said: "When people think of Swansea, naturally they think of Dylan Thomas, who was born there 100 years ago next year, when we celebrate the centenary. Of course, Dylan Thomas is the most translated poet of all time, second only to Shakespeare.

"There is a glistening array of stars from Swansea.

"One only has to think of Sir Anthony Hopkins, Michael Sheen and Catherine Zeta-Jones – I am sure Michael Douglas is applying for a visa as we speak."

Chester MP Stephen Mosley said: "Honourable members will be aware of the beautiful city of Chester, with our world-famous Roman city walls, our historic cathedral, the unique mediaeval shopping galleries, our beautiful River Dee. We have the Eastgate clock, which is the most photographed clock in the world after the clock that stands above this house.

"All are key features in our city and all are known across the globe."

Details of Leicester's initial bid include proposals for a huge Richard III dramatic re-enactment in various locations around the city and a giant movable light show.

NEW DEAN WELCOMED AT "A TIME OF GREAT CHANGE"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

The Very Reverend David Monteith has been installed as the new Dean of Leicester

New Dean welcomed at "a time of great change"

The Very Reverend David Monteith has been installed as the new Dean of Leicester.

The Very Rev Monteith officially began his new post after a service at Leicester Cathedral on Saturday.

The new Dean, taking over from Vivienne Faull, who last year moved to be Dean of York, has been at the cathedral four years having previously been the canon chancellor with responsibility for pastoral and educational life.

In his sermon to the congregation, the Very Rev Monteith said: "Cathedrals are called to embrace the interface between the spiritual and the secular.

"This Cathedral is invited to create the kind of space which frees up others to explore this spirituality in countless languages, metaphors, images, experiences and church traditions."

During the service the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens welcomed the new Dean.

He said: "Few Deans have been installed at a time of such great change in their Cathedral. We have discerned in you the gifts and qualities this challenge require. May God bless you."

The service included music sung in Irish reflecting the Dean's native origins.

A piece written by Dr Chris Johns, director of music at the cathedral was premiered.

It uses a poem by Robert Herryck who is commemorated in the cathedral and whose family home was on the site of the Greyfriars Friary where Richard III was buried.

SUMMER BONANZA AS CITY TO BE TAKEN OVER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Summer bonanza as city to be taken over

by Adrian Troughton

A party programme to make this year's August bank holiday weekend the most spectacular the city has ever seen has been unveiled.

The bumper bank holiday bonanza, which will include the Sky Ride and the Mela, is to be the grand finale to an action-packed summer of fun.

The Summer in the City programme starts in July, with centenary celebrations at De Montfort Hall.

Culture vultures can enjoy a season of events with a Richard III theme, the chance to discover Leicester's art treasures in the newly-renovated Victorian Gallery at New Walk Museum and lots of opportunities to enjoy an event in Belgrave Hall.

The Mela, Sky Ride and the Sports Fest will form part of the City Festival – a weekend of events which also features an Old Town Festival and lots of children's activities in Orton Square.

The events – on Sunday and Monday, August 25 and 26 – will help make it the busiest bank holiday the city centre has known.

City mayor Peter Soulsby said: "This year is an opportunity for us to try out some ideas for a major new event which we hope will become an annual highlight.

"There will be sporting activities, free events for children, and plenty of opportunities to find out more about Leicester's heritage and culture."

On Sunday, August 25, Sky Ride will return on a traffic-free route through the city, with Sports Fest turning Humberstone Gate West into a sporting arena for the day.

Local community and voluntary organisations will be involved, too, with an event called "Our Leicester Day" taking place in the market.

The popular Mela takes over the city centre on Monday, August 26, with live music and dance, a bazaar in the Market Place and stalls in Gallowtree Gate.

A new festival which celebrates Leicester's heritage will bring the old town to life on bank holiday Monday, too, with activities taking place in Magazine Square and the Castle area.

On both days, there will be live music and dance on the Humberstone Gate West stage and plenty of activities for children.

But before the City Festival gets under way, there is a programme of events to commemorate the centenary of De Montfort Hall.

These events include a tea dance with Strictly Come Dancing's Len Goodman on June 16, an outdoor comedy day on July 6, live theatre in the gardens – with Babe The Sheep Pig on July 13 and The Mikado on July 14 – and a concert of popular classics followed by a fireworks display on July 20.

The best of Leicester's music scene will then be celebrated in a two-day event called Simon Says at the hall on July 27 and 28.

Events with a Richard III theme will take place all summer.

A stunning reconstruction of the face and head of the king will form the centrepiece of the Guildhall exhibition, from May 18 until June 9.Details of all the events happening in Leicester this summer can be found at: www.visitleicester.info/ summerinthecity

ODDS IN OUR FAVOUR

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Odds in our favour

by Tom Mack

Bookies are taking bets on the race to become the 2017 Capital of Culture – with one making Leicester joint second favourites.

William Hill has the city at 5/1, in equal second place with Swansea Bay and only Chester, at 4/1, has better odds to win.

In total there are 11 cities vying for the title and Leicester's multi-cultural population is helping boost the odds in its favour.

William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: "There's an awful lot of regeneration going on in Leicester and it's vastly multicultural.

"I went to the University of Leicester for four years and I know myself it has been a standard-bearer for multiculturalism in Europe."But he said the betting had been fairly quiet so far.

"There have been a couple of bets placed on Leicester to win since we started on Wednesday.

"It's not much of a money-spinner compared to the football and the betting is predominantly for Dundee."

Ladrokes have been less generous to Leicester, putting the city in equal sixth place with Plymouth at 8/1. Ahead of it are Aberdeen, Chester and Southampton and Portsmouth, with Swansea Bay as favourite.

The other locations in the running to become the 2017 UK Capital of Culture are Hull, Southend on Sea, East Kent, Hastings & Bexhill on Sea.

Ladbrokes spokeswoman Jessica Bridge said: "The odds were worked out in the usual way based on the facts and figures we knew, as well as the likely impact of the celebrities backing the cities and the success of the cities that have gone for the title in previous years.

"In terms of betting, the most has been for Swansea Bay and the Southampton and Portsmouth joint bid isn't doing badly for money being put down.

"There hasn't been a lot of love for Leicester yet but it's still early days."

Among the celebrity backers for Leicester to win the title is actor and film director Richard Attenborough.

Lord Attenborough grew up in Leicester and he 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 and his collection of ceramics by Pablo Picasso are on long-term loan to the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery.

The 89-year-old said the city had "evolved into a huge multi-cultural centre".

If Leicester wins, it aims to stage a Festival of Light, based on the annual Diwali celebrations, as well as a re-enactment of the Richard III story.

RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH'S BLESSING FOR CULTURE CITY BID

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.

THE KING OF KINGS & THE KING UNDER THE CAR PARK

The Bishop of Leicester has written the First Person column in today's Leicester Mercury:

The King of Kings and the king under the car park

It may be that the Easter story takes on a special significance for us in Leicester this year. In the story, Jesus is laid in a tomb and three days later those who were closest to him discovered the body missing. The tomb could not contain Jesus. His presence, his spirit and his very life continued to make itself felt and, 2,000 years later, Christians feel and experience that life and seek to share it with others.

Unexpectedly, this year the story of our city seems to be almost intertwined with the story of a body and with a debate about the kind of tomb he should be laid in.

This newspaper has reflected that debate and shown us how deeply felt are the views people hold about where Richard III should lie and how his grave should be marked.

Rationally speaking, these are simply the last fragmentary remains of an individual whom none of us knew and whose story belongs to the remote past. Why then such passion, indignation and desire to signify his life and his death in a particular way?

Presumably, because in some way the spirit of Richard III lives on. In some way his short life is not extinguished by his death. In some way his life and his story have meaning beyond the grave.

If that is true for Richard III, Christians believe it is true for every human being. Our life is not defined and contained simply by the short span of time on this Earth.

Through the Easter story, we are given a picture of the highest possible degree of human living as seen in Jesus Christ. In him, the gap between what it is to be human and what it is to be divine was bridged. The love of God shone through him undimmed and undistorted.

The extraordinary conviction of the first followers who found the tomb empty was that a life lived so close to the love of God could not be extinguished by death. Further, they came to believe if this was true for Jesus Christ it is true potentially for every one of us who seek to live the loving life he led.

I welcome the debate about Richard III and his final resting place. It is a reminder to us all of the ultimate significance and dignity of every human life, including those who are not kings or whose names do not appear in the newspapers.

If Easter is true it is true for every one of us. Our life extends beyond the grave into an eternal life with God.

When Richard III is reinterred in Leicester Cathedral, that truth will be affirmed and celebrated as the truth about King Richard and as the truth about us all.

A very happy Easter to you all.

By the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester

CATHEDRAL WILL NEVER BE A "DEN OF THIEVES"

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Cathedral will never be a "den of thieves"

I read with concern two contrasting letters in the Mercury about Leicester Cathedral (Mailbox, March 1).

The first was from Ann Stones about the "vintage fair" which takes place in the cathedral three or four times a year ("Inappropriate use for our cathedral").

The cathedral is, first and foremost, a house of prayer and sanctuary for all who wish to use it.

If people wish to come to pray when another event is happening, we make it clear to the organisers of the event (if there is a charge for admittance) there should be free admission for those who wish to enter to pray.

I apologise if this was not made clear to Ann Stones.

We also have a chaplain and other cathedral staff available during these events, should people wish to have a spiritual conversation with them.

Guild churches, such as St Martins, and cathedrals have always been used for a variety of events and we hope this helps a wide range of people to see it as "their cathedral", a place where all are welcome.

As well as its primary purpose for worship and prayer, the cathedral hosts lectures, concerts, organ recitals and is part of the Leicester Comedy Festival.

We have run series of silent films, a food fair and events associated with the Castle Park Festival among many other events.

We believe that whatever takes place in the cathedral is legal and honest and far from the type of corrupt and exploitative abuse of religion that led Jesus to drive the money changers and other merchants from the Temple in Jerusalem – those who had turned it into a "den of thieves".

Bill Merry wrote about the possibility of Richard III being reinterred in the proposed Cathedral Gardens instead of within the cathedral ("Memorial should be in the open").

Leicester Cathedral is open to the public every day from 8am to 6pm.

As Richard III was a Christian believer, and following the precedence for the burial of monarchs in this land, it seems most appropriate his final resting place should be in a place of Christian worship. We do not charge for entering the cathedral, nor will we do so, though the costs of keeping the cathedral open are nowhere near met by the voluntary giving of visitors, as generous as this sometimes is.

Barry Naylor, Acting Dean of Leicester

TELL US OF TALKS

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury (but not on its website)

Tell us of talks

It was an interesting First Person column by Ather Mirza (Mercury, February 22) regarding the discovery of Richard III.

The part of the story that fascinates me is that the Church of England is to reinter the remains of a Catholic king in a Protestant cathedral, presumably with a Church of England service.

Leicester is ell-known for its co-operation between religions, of which this must be a good example, so would not the negotiations that took place also be worth telling?

Patrick Trigg, Oadby

CITY'S STRONG MIXTURE OF OLD AND NEW

This editorial appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

City's strong mixture of old and new

What does "culture" mean? We ask the question because Leicester is launching a bid to become the UK's next City of Culture in 2017. We probably all have slightly different definitions of what we mean by the word culture. However, the Collins Dictionary defines it as: "The artistic and social pursuits, expression and tastes valued by a society or class."

The UK City of Culture then should be a place which is able to offer outstanding and highly valued artistic and social pursuits. And, given that this title is a national one, it should also be a place with a cultural mixture which represents and reflects the values of modern Britain.

On any assessment, Leicester has a very strong case.

We have seen in recent months the city's long and rich history gain national attention through the remarkable discovery of King Richard III's remains. Visitors to Leicester can learn about the king's life and death at a pivotal point in history, as well as the archaeological quest to locate his last resting place.

It is a story which has captured the imagination of people across the world and gives Leicester a cultural dimension that few other cities can match.

In addition, Leicester is not only a very old city, but also a very modern one. And this is best reflected in its multi-cultural community.

The city is home to many festivals and events reflecting the diversity of its population. The Diwali festival, for instance, is celebrated by thousands of people from many backgrounds. It is a demonstration of multi-culturalism in action.

There are many other cultural highlights: the huge success of the Curve theatre; Dave's Comedy Festival which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year; the classical music programme and other events at De Montfort Hall; and the dramatic recreation of the Easter story through Christ in the Centre, to name a few.

All of these elements demonstrate a thriving and varied cultural programme which appeals to a broad range of tastes.

Leicester has a great story to tell: through its history; its modernity; and its sheer range of venues and events.

We think the case for it to become the UK City of Culture is a compelling one and we wish all those involved in this bid every success.

CELEBRATING OUR CULTURE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury: 

 

Celebrating our culture

Leicester is to launch an ambitious bid to become the UK's next City of Culture.

The city is hoping its multi-cultural history, track record of staging events such as Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival, Diwali celebrations and the Caribbean Carnival will help it secure the title in 2017.

Its bid will also draw on the recent high-profile discovery of Richard III's bones under a council car park.

Bid organisers hope the role could lead to an influx of tourists generating millions of pounds of wealth for the city. They say Leicester's time as the UK City of Culture would feature a large programme of festivals and participatory events.

Leicester is bidding for the title for 2017 as this is when the 2013 UK City of Culture and inaugural holder – Derry in Northern Ireland – will hand over the honour.

So far rivals include Plymouth and Aberdeen, who have already announced their bids.It is rumoured that Nottingham may also enter the competition.Leicester City Council is pledging £50,000 to cover the initial stage of the bid.

In May or June cities will be short listed and, should Leicester progress, a similar amount would be needed to complete the bid.

Businesses and sponsors are being sought to provide financial backing.

Chief executive of Curve theatre Fiona Allan, who is a member of the consortium planning the city's bid, said: "There would be so many benefits if we won. Firstly, I hope people would feel pride in this city. "To win would show we are confident in our cultural offer. There would be a significant media and tourism knock on.

"We have all the ingredients already.

"Leicester is one of the UK's most culturally diverse and interesting cities."

From our Roman history, medieval growth, industrial prosperity to today welcoming people from all over the world to our diverse and vibrant communities, Leicester has rich stories to tell. The king in the car park is just one of many."

While cultural organisations here like Curve already enjoy a global reputation, with significant investment having been made in Leicester's cultural infrastructure and the development of our creative industries, the time is ripe for Leicester to show its creativity to the world." It would be like the cultural equivalent of the Rugby World Cup." Ms Allan said a program of proposed events would be drawn up. She said: "Leicester is known as a city of festivals and there would be a large programme of festivals. We would want some real showcase events.

In recent years, new events – including Indian Summer, Leicester Fringe, Tales of the Riverside and the Green Light Festival – have appeared on the city's calendar alongside established favourites such as the Caribbean Carnival, Diwali, the Spark Children's Arts Festival and the comedy festival." I think people outside Leicester will be surprised by what we can offer," said Ms Allan.

"We need to change the narrative of the city which has been a bit negative in the past. We really underplay ourselves."

"There would also be participatory activities to get as many people as possible involved."

We don't want to announce too many of our good ideas to rival cities. I am sure we will see more bids coming out of the cupboard in the next few weeks."

Cities vying for the title have until April 30 to submit a bid for consideration by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. 

Leicester's bid will focus on its lively arts scene and highlight the breadth of cultural activity taking place, with workshops in museums and galleries, stand-up comedy in city centre pubs, international stars taking to the stage at Curve, and a Bollywood blockbuster – Mad, Madder, Maddest 2 – set to have its world premiere in the city in June.

Chief executive of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce Martin Traynor, is also a consortium member. He was part of a Leicester delegation to Derry last year when the bid was being touted.

He said: "We are convinced this is something Leicester could do very well. We already have a rich multi-cultural offering."

We have suffered from a low international and national profile but that can change."

Richard III is already changing that and becoming UK City of Culture would be another springboard with massive potential impacts."

Leisure and tourism is worth £1.4 billion per annum to the city and county. If we could increase that by just one per cent that would be £1.4 million and could create hundreds of jobs."

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who is leading the consortium, added: "Becoming UK City of Culture would bring huge benefits to Leicester, giving us an opportunity to highlight the city's history and reinforce its identity, while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy."

A city council spokeswoman said: "In 2008, Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture – a title that business leaders estimate was worth an extra £200 million to the city's economy."

Although the UK City of Culture competition is on a much smaller scale, it's clear that the opportunities for the winner are there to be seized."

The winner will be announced by the Government in November. 

---

North and south – the two rivals, so far

Aberdeen, nicknamed The Granite City, is one of Leicester's rivals for the capital of culture title.

It is renowned as an oil city after the discovery of vast deposits under the North Sea.

It is home to a maritime museum, an art gallery, a number of cinemas and hosts the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, said to be the world's largest arts festival for young performers.

The city football team won the European Cup Winners Cup and the European Super Cup in 1983, under Sir Alex Ferguson, and has won the Scottish Premier League four times.

Aberdeen Lord Provost George Adam said: "Aiming to win the City of Culture title in 2017 presents Aberdeen with a tremendous opportunity and a terrific target to aim for.

"A proud city like Aberdeen should be aiming high and I have no doubt that everyone will pull together."

Aberdeen City Council chief executive Valerie Watts said: "Aberdeen already plays on a world stage in the competition for business and investment – and bidding to win the City of Culture title will be a huge benefit in terms of putting ourselves firmly on the international map."

The quality of life here in Aberdeen is already very high. We can all now work together to build on that to make the city even better – and to let the whole world know."

The south coast city of Plymouth, in Devon, is also hoping to clinch the title.

The old naval base is home to the annual British Fireworks Championship and is also home for the Royal Marines.

It has a range of cinemas, arts centre and galleries.

Plymouth's bid leaders hope that if they win, the city could host top-class events such as the Brit Awards, the Turner Prize and the BBC Sport Personality of the Year ceremony.

Plymouth Culture Board executive director Abby Johnson told The Herald newspaper: "I believe Plymouth has got such potential. People can help by simply talking up the city and talking up their cultural experiences."She said winning would create jobs, boost creative industries and see visitors' spending rise, adding: "Liverpool got £8 back for every £1 it put into the European Capital of Culture bid."Plymouth City Council and Plymouth University have each pledged £20,000 towards the bid on the condition the £40,000 handout is matched by the private sector.

---

Leicester City's Cultural Diary

The main events in Leicester’s cultural calendar include:

Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.

The February event – which is thought to boost the local economy by £2 million – annually sees appearances from both world-famous performers and some of the funniest up-and-coming comics, at venues across the city.

Leicester’s Caribbean Carnival has brought the city centre to life every August since 1985, with the exception of 2006.

The celebration attracts thousands of visitors with its colourful city centre parade, street dancing and music.

Leicester’s annual Diwali celebrations are thought to be the largest outside India.

Huge crowds flock to the city’s Golden Mile. The Hindu Festival of Lights began last year with 35,000 watching a lights switch-on spanning a kilometre along Melton Road.

Leicester Pride is popular celebration of the city’s gay, lesbian and bisexual and transgender communities held in late August or early September each year.

Marchers in weird and wonderful costumes parade through the city centre before heading up to Victoria Park for a fairground and concert.

Christ in the Centre is the city’s dramatic recreation of the Easter story, with Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection being played out before thousands of people in Humberstone Gate.

It has become established as one of the biggest and most effective pieces of Christian celebration staged in the country.

THE "JEWEL OF LEICESTER'S CHURCHES" NEEDS SUPPORT

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

The "jewel of Leicester's churches" needs support

I was pleased to hear a "significant grant" of £40,000 was made just before Christmas to St Mary de Castro, from the National Churches Trust.

Known as the "jewel of Leicester's churches", grade I-listed St Mary de Castro is nationally important: it is where King Henry VI was knighted in 1426 and it is thought the poet Geoffrey Chaucer was married there.

King Richard III's body is also believed to have lain in rest there after his death at the Battle of Bosworth.

Today, with Leicester Castle, it forms one of the important heritage areas of the city.

However, at more than 900 years old, its 80ft-tall spire is needing urgent financial attention, as Vic Allsop, of St Mary de Castro explains: "We are delighted English Heritage/Heritage Lottery Fund has made a significant in principal grant of £187,000 towards restoration.

"We're in phase one, the development project. Phase two is the work itself.

"When the project started and scaffolding was erected inside the spire, close inspection revealed bad news.

"Previous inspections with 'cherry pickers' and binoculars did not identify cracks in the tower that were severe, putting the potential stability and future viability of the spire at stake.

"We had to act quickly: permission was given to carry out advance works to stabilise what was potentially a serious situation for the church.

"At the churches own cost of £30,000, the spire was stabilised and made safe by introducing nine stainless steel bands inside the spire."There is a possibility the spire will need to be taken down and rebuilt, which could potentially exceed £500,000. The phase one specification will confirm the final figure.

"The damage to the spire was caused by previous restorations, inappropriate stone and concrete pointing at the top of the spire, which has put pressure on and is eroding the stonework below.

"Regular inspections take place from the internal scaffolding. In the summer, the SOS (Save Our Spire) Appeal started. We have been overwhelmed by many offers of support and it is clear St Mary de Castro has the support of the community.

"We recently launched the Save our Stones Appeal with the help of one of our sponsors Newby Castleman. This is a practical way in which people can make a contribution to the restoration of the spire."

For more information on how you can help, contact appeal co-ordinator Rosemary Mason on 07710 531792 or via: sosstmarydecastro@ btinternet.com

www.stmarydecastro.org.uk

WHAT'S TO CELEBRATE ABOUT BEING A MULTI-CULTURAL CITY?

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

What's to celebrate about being a multi-cultural city?

In his First Person column ("Let's start new year with pride and confidence", Mercury, December 31), Sir Peter Soulsby reckons that two events need celebrating.

Firstly, the census shows Leicester to be one of the most "diverse" cities in the country and, secondly, Richard III's remains are probably ours, which will be good for tourism.

This does not seem to make a great deal of sense. To begin with, why are we supposed to be celebrating the idea that Leicester is now one of the least English cities in England?

Are we not supposed to enjoy our own company? In which case, why would tourists?

And Richard III is part of English history – any tourism would be based on the idea of our monocultural, English heritage, wouldn't it?

Which is going to be tricky anyway because, dead kings apart, we seem to have knocked down a very respectable proportion of our historical heritage and seem to be waiting for a large part of the rest to collapse from neglect.

Besides which, how is more immigration a good idea when we cannot find enough jobs to keep the present population fully employed, in tourism or otherwise?

Or enough housing since we are now supposed to wreck a large part of our very attractive and tourist-friendly countryside in order to accommodate a population which, I have read, makes us the fourth most densely populated country in the world.

Possibly a new walk to a world of muck, brass and realism is in order.

Russ Ball, Leicester

SPIRE APPEAL GETS BIG BOOST

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Spire appeal gets big boost

An appeal to save the spire of one of England's most historically important churches has been given a £40,000 funding boost.

St Mary de Castro's spire appeal has been given the money by the charity National Churches Trust.

Described as the "jewel of Leicester's churches", its spire is in desperate need of repair after six-metre cracks were discovered on four of its six faces.

The money donated will go towards the SOS (Save Our Spire) fund-raising appeal, which was launched in September and is looking to raise up to £500,000 to fix the damage.

Church member and appeal co-ordinator Rosemary Mason said the award was a timely boost for the appeal.

"We are one of only eight church projects in the country to be awarded one of these grants, so it's a big coup for us," she said.

"It helps a tremendous amount towards paying for essential repairs and in building up momentum behind the appeal."

Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said: "We are delighted to be providing funding – a £40,000 Cornerstone grant will help fund major repairs to the church spire of this nationally significant church."

The grade I-listed St Mary de Castro is on heritage watchdog English Heritage's 'at risk' register.

King Henry VI was knighted in St Mary's in 1426 and it is also thought Geoffrey Chaucer was married there.

King Richard III's body is believed to have lain in rest in the church after his death at the Battle of Bosworth.

English Heritage has already offered to pay £187,000 towards the spire repair, with supporters raising more than £2,000 since the appeal's launch.

"The appeal is going really well," said Mrs Mason.

"Our Sponsor a Stone scheme has had a very positive take-up, with about 45 people signing up and more people approaching us every day for the chance to have their names recorded in the church archives for posterity.

"It's been a fantastic response and we're grateful to everyone for their continued support."

De Montfort University students have adopted the spire appeal as part of the university's Square Mile (Mile2) regeneration project, supporting the communities of Woodgate, Tudor Road, Fosse Road and Newfoundpool.

Mark Charlton, Mile2 manager, said: "St Mary de Castro historically served these areas and our students wanted to be part of the SOS campaign.

"We organised a fundraising carol concert in the church and students will stage a vintage clothing fair in the spring."

Work on the spire is expected to begin in the new year.

www.stmarydecastro spireappeal.co.uk

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU DISCUSSES FAITH AND RICHARD III DURING LEICESTER UNI VISIT

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Archbishop Desmond Tutu discusses faith and Richard III during Leicester Uni Visit 

Hundreds of people packed into a lecture hall to hear a talk by Desmond Tutu.

Archbishop Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, gave a lecture titled Public Faith in a Secular Age.

Before yesterday's talk, Archbishop Tutu met University of Leicester staff to hear about the search for the remains of Richard III.

The university helped the Richard III Society exhume a skeleton believed to be that of the last Plantagenet king, from Greyfriars car park in New Street, in the city centre, this summer.

Professor Lin Foxhall, head of the university's school of archaeology and ancient history, spoke to Archbishop Tutu about the project.

Professor Foxhall said: "It was an honour to be able to present our work on the project to someone of the stature of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

"It was extraordinary to have this opportunity.

"We wanted him to see the work we are doing, not only in researching the past but also with people in the present."

Archbishop Tutu gave his lecture in the Fielding Johnson Building, while a live feed was shown in another lecture hall.