A note from Jo McGowan, BID Manager
The results of the shortlist for Town of Culture were announced late yesterday ( 9th July) and sadly Dorking wasn’t one of the lucky few that made it to the next round. Congratulations to the towns that have gone through.
Only 15 out of 398 towns made it through to the next round so we always knew that our chances might be slim. However, we as a town, dared to dream, backed ourselves and have come away with so much from this process that it feels right to celebrate this. Here’s some of the outcomes already from the process:
- Our consultation unlocked some breathtaking ambition from community organisations that I’m not even sure they had said out loud until that point.
- We also saw a real sense of pride for what we have already and a real passion for new projects and to know more about what already goes on culturally in the town.
- At the end of June we held an inaugural “Cultural Forum” at Pippbrook House, the town’s newly restored latest cultural venue. The meeting was packed with community groups, businesses and interested residents where, as well as sharing our report from the consultation, attendees workshopped several ideas or themes that have come from this. The outcome – 3 or 4 potential projects that have next steps identified and a list of people who have put their hand up to move them on.
- We have also had two organisations volunteer their venue to host the next meetings of this initiative to ensure discussion and coming together can happen. And it was the coming together that seems to have been most valuable. I have had many conversations where I’ve said “you must know so and so”, to be told “I know of them, but we’ve never met”. Facilitating those introductions are a joy.
What happens next?
We are busy collating minutes and an action plan from this first meeting to be circulated to interested parties and then we’ll see what can be achieved. Hello Dorking will continue to support and facilitate where we can. One thing is for sure, Dorking hasn’t had to wait to be labelled officially a Town of Culture, we are already a town of culture and it is exciting to see what can be achieved ongoing.
To view the report highlighting the results and ideas from the consultation click here. A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in the consultation, conversations and meetings thus far and my amazing team Lisa and Rosie for their help, ideas and knowledge as always. This is merely the beginning of what could be such a positive initiative for our town.
If you would like to know more about some of the potential projects to come out of this initiative please email info@hellodorking.com
