NEWSROOM

From Ironbridge being the birthplace of the revolution that shaped the modern world right through to the ‘new town’ mix of historic towns and modern communities as well as innovative business growth around vast green spaces, the Borough has a strong story to tell. And community leaders including Telford & Wrekin Council, Town and Parish Councils, and local cultural and community partners have confirmed a bid will be submitted for the Town to be crowned the first ever ‘Town of Culture’.

Prior to the Town of Culture opportunity, the Council is already well advanced in developing a cultural strategy for the Borough to strengthen cultural participation, support local creative organisations and help coordinate future investment, whilst the new state-of-the-art theatre in Oakengates is in development to become a new cornerstone of cultural activity for the Borough, whilst the successful Theatre on Tour programme is taking culture to all parts of Telford and Wrekin

In addition, last year the Borough celebrated ‘Telford Day’ on 29 November to mark the birthday of the ‘new town’ which was formed on that date in 1968. The celebrations last year saw thousands of people involved in designing and voting for a new Telford flag and plans are already in place to continue building on this work and the civic pride shown by people and organisations across the Borough.

Councillor Lee Carter, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “The work already underway across the Borough, from our investment in the exciting new theatre which will boast the biggest auditorium in Shropshire and the renovation of the Town Park Amphitheatre right through to the recent Telford Day and Telford flag initiatives which all helped to bring communities together, gives us so much to shout about right across the whole Borough. All of this work, will continue to progress over the coming years as we look for the whole Borough to celebrate Telford Day and our 60th birthday in 2028. This celebration will build on the popular programme delivered throughout the town’s 50^th year in 2018, as we continue to show off our strong cultural identity and tell our unique story.

“When you then add in Ironbridge, the town that kickstarted the industrial revolution, which will celebrate its 40^th anniversary as a UNESCO site later this year and its museums which have been recognised as one of the country’s most treasured assets and is now being run by the National Trust, you really start to see how strong our offer is. Ironbridge was also the birthplace of the first footballer to gain 100 caps for England, whilst Dawley was the birthplace of Captain Matthew Webb, the first person to swim the English Channel. When you put all of this together with the unique blend of the Borough’s historic towns and villages and modern ‘new town’ investment and growth you can see clearly how we will present a confident and well evidenced bid .”

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism, Culture and the Arts, said: “As a Borough, we’re well ahead with developing our cultural strategy, which will support the exciting events programme and help strengthen cultural activity across the Borough for years to come. This work is already underway regardless of this national initiative so it would be a missed opportunity not to put it forward to be considered for Town of Culture. If successful, it could open up opportunities for further investment in our cultural programme.”

The Government’s new Town of Culture initiative follows on from the ‘City of Culture’ which was launched back in 2013 and has featured winners including the likes of Coventry and Bradford.

Initial submissions must be made to Government by 31 March 2026. If Telford progresses to the next stage, the Council will work closely with communities, partners and stakeholders to shape the full bid.