CULTURE CLUB

THREE DERBYSHIRE AREAS UNITE IN BID TO BECOME FIRST UK TOWN OF CULTURE

- By ZENA HAWLEY

THREE Derbyshire towns are joining forces to submit a joint bid to become the inaugural UK Town of Culture in 2028 with a top prize of £3 million.

Ripley, Alfreton, and Heanor town councils will be showing historic unity as they apply for the prestigious title and the competition is a followup to the City of Culture title which has been running for some years.

The decision to submit a joint expression of interest follows a call to action from Labour MP Linsey Farnsworth, who brought the three councils in her Amber Valley constituency together to champion the area's shared identity.

By uniting, the towns aim to highlight a story of rebellion, industry, and community.

The UK Town of Culture competition, launched by the government in late 2025, will allow the winner to use the £3 million funding to deliver a yearlong cultural programme.