Hammersmith and Fulham has bid to become London’s Borough of Culture in 2025.
The borough has come together with local arts and community organisations to raise the flag for culture.
For the winning borough an award of £1.35million of Greater London Authority (GLA) funding to run a year-long programme of cultural events.
Councillor Sharon Holder, said: “We have a unique cultural history in Hammersmith & Fulham, world famous music venues, classic film and television have been made here, incredible albums were recorded and performed in this borough.”
The bid will give the borough the chance to showcase its array of arts and community organisations, cultural heritage and diverse population.
Hammersmith and Fulham is home to venues like the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Bush Theatre, Fulham Palace, The Bhavan, the Irish Cultural Centre as well as the William Morris Society.
The bid is also backed by James Bond, Eastenders star and Hammersmith and Fulham local Colin Salmon.
Councillor Holder added: “We could do so much more if we could join up the dots between people across the borough, between our talent and opportunities, and between Hammersmith & Fulham, the rest of London, and the world outside.”
The theme for the bid is Where Culture Connects, with the aim of ensuring everyone in the borough is connected to the cultural opportunities around them.
Their programme for 2025 will see residents driving neighbourhood cultural activities that connect people in their immediate area, spotlighting the talent of artists from diverse backgrounds (i.e. the Joy of Liberty Festival).
Jessie Davis, a wellbeing recovery worker from Shepherd’s Bush, said: “There are so many diverse and interesting cultural events, especially the music and comedy.
“I go to the Lyric theatre a lot as well, venues like that — hosting an array of events for all sorts of people — it really makes me feel like part of a larger community.”
To back Hammersmith and Fulhams bid, click here.
Featured image credit: Edwardx on Wikimedia Commons, licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED
