What is that you most love about Cheltenham? The architecture? The great schools? The parks? For many, it’s Cheltenham’s culture that stands out. Whether it’s going to see Tweedie at a panto in the Everyman or listen to a debate about US foreign policy at the Literature Festival, Cheltenham offers something for all ages and tastes.
We need that to continue, which is why I’ve always fought against efforts to concentrate arts funding by the great cities like London and Birmingham.So I was delighted that on Friday the Cheltenham Trust, which runs the Town Hall, the Wilson, Leisure@ and Pittville Pump Room, received £195,000 in central government support for its post-Covid recovery.
The grant gives the Trust the confidence to keep their doors open for visitors and audiences throughout Christmas and into the New Year, and takes the overall package of support for Cheltenham’s cultural heritage to over £4m.
Without this support, Cheltenham’s cultural offer would likely have been irreparably devastated by Covid. So I welcome this, as indeed I do the wider package of business and financial lifeline support, totalling more than £370m for Cheltenham alone.
The continued investment on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to Cheltenham high street, helping to drive economic growth and promote good health.
So it was a pleasure to listen to Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year 2020, Darcy Beck, perform with the Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra at Cheltenham Town Hall at the weekend. I had never heard a marimba (a bit like a xylophone) played before, and it was magical. The audience, which included many young people, were mesmerised.
I’m so grateful to those at the Cheltenham Trust who have worked behind the scenes to bring these events back to life. If skating on the new ice rink is not for you, Cheltenham’s cultural scene will continue to have plenty of alternatives to offer!