Whitby Town of Culture bid: "This is our Storyland, it’s where we belong"
A bespoke postcard highlighting Whitby’s Town of Culture 2028 bid has gone on show at the Museum of Liverpool.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy visited the venue to see a digital display of postcards from towns hoping to become the first UK Town of Culture, as judges whittle down hundreds of applications to a final shortlist.
Following the launch of the inaugural UK Town of Culture competition last year, the government has confirmed that it received 398 bids representing over 400 hopeful towns from across the UK.
In order to celebrate the local pride expressed in the submissions so far, every bidding town was invited to submit a postcard to champion their bid. These have been showcased by National Museums
Liverpool in a digital display in the Museum of Liverpool on Thursday July 2 to celebrate the diversity of each and every town that has participated in the competition.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and chair of the independent panel judging the bids, Sir Phil Redmond, visited the museum to see the display ahead of the shortlist for the competition, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
Whitby’s Postcard said: “Greetings from Whitby, the land of Lemon Buns.
“The place where explorers built their ships, and Dracula went on the run.
“The place where families bring up their kids and visitors flock for year-round fun.
“The place where the sea and the sky meet the cliffs, and Goths promenade in the setting sun.
“Where Easter was fixed by the light of the moon, and the Abbey, now ruined, reminds us we’re home.
“This is our Storyland, it’s where we belong. You’re part of our story, wherever you’re from.
“Come in, you’re welcome! Sit down, kettle’s on.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “For far too long, towns across the UK have felt left out of our national story.
“Today we celebrate the local pride that has always existed in towns around the country within this amazing display of postcards from bidding towns.
“Through UK Town of Culture, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK and the huge contribution they make to our national life. That contribution is clear to see today and I hope each and every town is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their community in the competition.”