Town of Culture 2028 EOI
In January this year, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced a new UK-wide competition for the UK Town Of Culture 2028. Towns of all different sizes are invited to bid for a total of £3.5m to spend on an ambitious programme of cultural activity that tells its unique story and contribution to the UK.
The Bexhill Cultural Network (BCN) intends to put Bexhill forward for this incredible opportunity. If successful, residents of Bexhill, as well as those who visit, will create, have access to and participate in activities such as dance, drama, song, art, craft, music, film, events and festivals that will show the world what a fantastic town we live in.
As a first step towards the Expression of Interest, BCN need to know how you, the people of Bexhill, want to tell our story – a story that sets Bexhill apart from the hundreds of other towns that will apply. We only have 400 words to do this so we invite you to respond to four key questions and statements that we have been asked us to consider, that will help us pull that story together:
- What are Bexhill’s values?
- What is Bexhill proud of?
- How does Bexhill contribute to our national story?
- Bexhill is a fantastic place to be because…
You can respond via Survey Monkey at this link.
Through conversations and workshops we have learned that Bexhill sees itself as a town shaped by independence and care; for the sea, for shared spaces, and for the everyday life of the community. We know that very many people shape the culture of Bexhill in a myriad of ways: in schools and after school clubs, on the beach and in open spaces, in industrial units and community halls, through music, making, storytelling, heritage and social, well-being and sporting activity. They contribute to the cultural life of the town, often voluntarily, without ever calling, or knowing it as ‘culture’.
Therefore we need as many people as possible - individuals of all ages, shops, businesses, cafes and restaurants, B&Bs, charities, sports clubs, community groups, care homes and social groups of all kinds - to tell us what you know and love about Bexhill.
Your survey responses, along with the public consultation carried out by the Bexhill Neighbourhood Board in 2024, will help BCN tell the story of Bexhill in your words, and create the vision of what our Town of Culture programme might include. Please help us to tell our unique and authentic story and win this huge investment for our town.
Due to the quick turnaround of the application process, please respond by using this survey link by midnight on Sunday 22 February.
We are pleased to have the support of Dr Kieran Mullan, MP for Bexhill and Battle who says:
“I’m delighted that Bexhill will be applying to be the UK Town of Culture 2028. Anyone who lives in, works in, or visits Bexhill already knows that the town has a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive cultural scene. Throughout the year, it hosts and supports a broad and exciting range of cultural events, exhibitions, educational programmes, societies, clubs, and organisations.”
Bexhill’s passion and enthusiasm for culture make the town unique and help residents of all ages to live full and enriched lives. I am proud to give my full support to this bid.” More information on the UK Town Of Culture competition can be found here.