Cultural and heritage groups to benefit from government funding

Cheshire East Council has awarded 20 grants to local cultural and heritage organisations all looking to enrich and enhance the lives of the borough’s residents.

In total, the 20 grant awards received £80,000 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The funds have been distributed to local organisations with a wide variety of cultural interests.

The projects to benefit from funding support included a mini arts and cultural festival in Congleton called ‘The Green Island Fiesta’, the installation of some heritage information panels at Alderley Edge railway station, a story-telling festival in Crewe and a musicians in residence programme at Leighton Hospital, in Crewe.

The successful applicants all had to demonstrate how their project might contribute to increased local pride and belonging, all while providing access to cultural experience.  

Councillor Michael Gorman, chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said:

“One of the most positive elements about this funding has been the incredible diversity of the projects that we have been able to support right across the borough. 

“Preserving our heritage and passing on information and the sheer passion that creativity fosters, is something that is very hard to quantify but these wonderful organisations have that incredible passion and enthusiasm in spades, so we’re really happy to let that flourish.”

Petra Lea, project co-ordinator from Electric Picturehouse, the organisation which has brought the mini arts festival to Congleton, said:

“We are very pleased to receive this grant from Cheshire East Council, as it will enable us to deliver high standards of cultural activity in the area. 

“In our case, specifically the grant will be used to create a new cultural event called ‘The Green Island Fiesta’, which will take place in September. The grant will help us promote Green Island and enable us to facilitate creative activities in the run up to and during the event and collaborate with many local organisations in doing this.”

UKSPF funding supported Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council to bring together community groups to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. This includes a commemorative exhibition and a film produced in collaboration with Shavington Academy students.

Funding has also been granted to Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust to work with professional musicians, to deliver a course of ‘music culture and care’ for in-patients. The sessions, which run into the autumn, also provide hospital staff training to continue the good work at the end of the ten-week programme. 

Named after the town’s charter year, the 1261 festival in Macclesfield went ahead last month featuring a parade, workshops and performances. Allocated funding allowed organisers to expand the festival to include evening events to help support the night-time economy in the town, as well as promoting local performers and musicians.