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It’s been a busy year for the cultural scene in Herefordshire, with visitors to the county and residents having enjoyed a diverse range of projects. It's been a busy year for the cultural scene in Herefordshire, with visitors to the county and residents having enjoyed a diverse range of projects.
A host of organisations and voluntary groups work with Herefordshire Council's Cultural Services to run initiatives that take place all year round.
Early in the New Year the Herefordshire Cultural Strategy was launched which is the framework for progressing development in areas such as arts, tourism, heritage and sport over the next ten years.
The strategy was informed by a range of consultation and research, with one element showing that on average 65% of the Herefordshire population have an interest in or are regularly involved in cultural activities.
In February the Herefordshire Creative Industries programme that supports arts based businesses was presented as a best practice example at the Arts Council’s National Summit in Gateshead.
This year’s successful events and cultural developments include:
· The Walking Festival took place in June – with 1,300 walkers taking part in 60 walks
· Bromyard and Ledbury Heritage Centres received a revamp - new displays and a host of planned activities for children and adults took place throughout the year
· H.Art took place September 11 – 19, as a showcase of arts produced in the county. The art week included 34 exhibitions and events, 57 artists’ studios open to the public and the promotion of 11 galleries across the County
· September saw the final awards ceremony of the Flavours of Herefordshire – a tourism project that celebrates locally produced and promoted food and drink. The ceremony received national coverage
· Improvements to the Record Office were completed in September which included improved access for people with a range of disabilities
· In the autumn improvements also took place at Hereford Museum and Art Gallery specifically addressing requirements for visually impaired visitors. There are plans to roll out the scheme to all heritage centres and museums operated by the local authority
· October also saw the conclusion of the building works for phase 2 of the Museum and Education Resource Centre. This major scheme, funded by Heritage Lottery, will bring together the majority of historic objects held by the local authority
· In November Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair took place and saw an increase in the number of stands with the introduction of a Furniture Hall
· The year ends with the Winter Walking Festival taking place between December 27 - 31
Natalia Silver, Cultural Services Manager at Herefordshire Council, said: "It has been a busy year for Cultural Services, with some major initiatives that have received a range of regional and national funding."
"There is a lot of work which goes on behind the scenes conducted by the local authority, volunteers and the different organisations operating in the cultural sector that combine efforts to run lots of events and activities."
Busy Year for Cultural Services
It’s been a busy year for the cultural scene in Herefordshire, with visitors to the county and residents having enjoyed a diverse range of projects. It's been a busy year for the cultural scene in Herefordshire, with visitors to the county and residents having enjoyed a diverse range of projects.
A host of organisations and voluntary groups work with Herefordshire Council's Cultural Services to run initiatives that take place all year round.
Early in the New Year the Herefordshire Cultural Strategy was launched which is the framework for progressing development in areas such as arts, tourism, heritage and sport over the next ten years.
The strategy was informed by a range of consultation and research, with one element showing that on average 65% of the Herefordshire population have an interest in or are regularly involved in cultural activities.
In February the Herefordshire Creative Industries programme that supports arts based businesses was presented as a best practice example at the Arts Council’s National Summit in Gateshead.
This year’s successful events and cultural developments include:
· The Walking Festival took place in June – with 1,300 walkers taking part in 60 walks
· Bromyard and Ledbury Heritage Centres received a revamp - new displays and a host of planned activities for children and adults took place throughout the year
· H.Art took place September 11 – 19, as a showcase of arts produced in the county. The art week included 34 exhibitions and events, 57 artists’ studios open to the public and the promotion of 11 galleries across the County
· September saw the final awards ceremony of the Flavours of Herefordshire – a tourism project that celebrates locally produced and promoted food and drink. The ceremony received national coverage
· Improvements to the Record Office were completed in September which included improved access for people with a range of disabilities
· In the autumn improvements also took place at Hereford Museum and Art Gallery specifically addressing requirements for visually impaired visitors. There are plans to roll out the scheme to all heritage centres and museums operated by the local authority
· October also saw the conclusion of the building works for phase 2 of the Museum and Education Resource Centre. This major scheme, funded by Heritage Lottery, will bring together the majority of historic objects held by the local authority
· In November Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair took place and saw an increase in the number of stands with the introduction of a Furniture Hall
· The year ends with the Winter Walking Festival taking place between December 27 - 31
Natalia Silver, Cultural Services Manager at Herefordshire Council, said: "It has been a busy year for Cultural Services, with some major initiatives that have received a range of regional and national funding."
"There is a lot of work which goes on behind the scenes conducted by the local authority, volunteers and the different organisations operating in the cultural sector that combine efforts to run lots of events and activities."