HEREFORD'S bid to become the City of Culture 2021 has been given a boost with the announcement of funding to celebrate the county's heritage and arts.

Herefordshire Cultural Partnership (HCP) has been awarded £748,000 for its project called Herefordshire’s a Great Place.

The county is one of 16 pilot areas for the Great Place Scheme, jointly funded over three years by Arts Council England (ACE) and Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to put heritage, arts and culture at the heart of its communities.

Through a programme of events, activities, competitions, promotion and research, communities will be able to work with artists, arts and heritage organisations to celebrate and promote the things that make where they live special.

The Great Places scheme is a separate fund from the City of Culture initiative, but speaks to the same agenda - that culture/heritage activity can make a significant contribution to the wellbeing and economic activity of an area.

Roger Morgan, chairman of Herefordshire Cultural Partnership, said: "It is wonderful news that HLF and ACE have recognised the potential of the Herefordshire Cultural Partnership to make a difference to the wellbeing of the people of Herefordshire and its economy.

"It demonstrates the power of the arts and heritage organisations working together with the county's business groups and the local authority. This vote of confidence is a big boost to our bid to be UK City of Culture in 2021."

Working closely with tourism, education, health and wellbeing sectors, Herefordshire’s a Great Place will aim to demonstrate ways in which culture can play an integral role in the economic and community development of the county.

Herefordshire’s a Great Place has been supported by Herefordshire Council, Elmley Foundation, EF Bulmer Benevolent Fund, the Becket Bulmer Fund, and Friends of Herefordshire Museums and Arts.

Tony Johnson, leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “It is an exciting time to live in Herefordshire. We are in a changing economic climate and Herefordshire Council has helped to unlock funding through the Herefordshire is a Great Place bid.

"This project will help us identify opportunities for the community to adopt and manage assets such as sports pitches, parks and open spaces, while the council moves to focus on its key priorities. The project will help create a sustainable model of cultural enterprise, cultural tourism and retail, and develop a cultural brand strategy for Herefordshire.”

The Rural Media Charity will be leading the delivery of the Herefordshire’s a Great Place project on behalf of Herefordshire Cultural Partnership.