Culturedale a £50m hit but reach needs to grow

CALDERDALE'S Year of Culture has been a great success, numbers of people taking part surpassing hoped-for targets - but involving every part of the borough remains a challenge.

- By JOHN GREENWOOD

a Culturedule event

Amid an estimated £50 million economic uplift and verified numbers which have exceeded targets and are expected to increase with only 60 per cent of event returns audited, more than £900,000 was distributed to 171 projects spanning arts, culture, sports and heritage events, scrutiny councillors heard.

Dubbed Culturedale - a name set to be a recognisable brand - the plan is to sustain momentum, Year of Culture officers said.

Benefits to the well-being of communities also need to be sustained.

Councillors wanted to know what could be done to ensure every part of Calderdale benefits, having seen the breakdown which shows a lion's share of events being held in an established arts bastion, Calder ward, which includes Hebden Bridge, and central Halifax wards including Park and Town, with Todmorden and Elland also hosting a good proportion of events.

Officers said the first half of the year, which began in April 2024, saw some reprofiling to try and deliver events in wards where there had not been many or - in the case of Ryburn and Warley - no events at all being held nor any applications to do so made.