Press Release

Halton’s Borough of Culture 2021 Press Release August 2021

Celebrate the History of Runcorn and Widnes. A new heritage project for Halton is being launched as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days programme. Read more here

Halton’s Borough of Culture 2021 Press Release February 2021

Submitted by Halton Borough Council

Borough of Culture is a celebration of arts and culture in Halton and will involve an incredibly varied programme of events, exhibitions, festivals, concerts and activities throughout 2021.

It aims to put culture at the centre of the community where it belongs whilst also raising awareness in the wider community of the wealth of culture Halton, Cheshire has to offer.

Situated in the heart of Runcorn Shopping City, Culture HQ will be an exciting part of the programme, an easily accessible and multi-functional space where everyone is welcome. Here, people can find out more about the Borough of Culture programme of events and access a diverse range of events and activities.

Halton Borough Council Executive Board Member for Economic Development and Lead Member for Halton’s Borough of Culture, Cllr Eddie Jones, said: “It is really important that we raise awareness of Halton’s year as Borough of Culture as we have a packed year planned.

“People are currently being asked to stay at home, but, when we are able to visit, the hub at Runcorn Shopping City will certainly help with this.

“We appreciate that not everyone will be able to visit this venue, so the good news is that we are well advanced in our preparations for opening a similar hub in Widnes Market.

“As well as offering a signposting service for what’s on throughout 2021 in Halton, Culture HQ will take to the stage offering an amazing variety of hands-on activities, all designed to raise the profile of the Borough of Culture and to engage, inspire and connect the people of Halton.”

Jade French, Culture HQ’s programme co-ordinator, explained: “The idea behind Culture HQ is to act as hub of information and activity in one constant location that people can visit all year round to find out what’s happening on the main programme, as well as getting involved with activities like workshops and exhibitions and more importantly, leading their own creative projects.

“My hope is that Culture HQ becomes a kind of creative contact zone where people and ideas come together throughout the year.

“I’m really keen to facilitate creative projects and ideas from Halton residents, so far people have come forward with incredible ideas including oral history projects, starting up magazines, creating artist studios and celebrating Pride in Halton.

“Culture HQ will symbolise the past, present and future of culture in Halton, ensuring there will be something for everyone and everyone in the community will be welcome.

“People will be encouraged to get involved and ‘get stuck in’ – and you never know – we might unleash a whole new generation of artists and culture vultures right here in Halton!”

Dan Williamson from ArtReach is excited about being involved, saying: “ArtReach are delighted to be supporting the artistic programming for Celebrate Halton 2021.

“We hope that the exciting events and activities we have in store will help put a smile back on people’s faces after a difficult year in 2020.

“Culture HQ will help people more easily and regularly connect with culture on their doorstep. We hope that everyone in Halton will feel they can pop in and find out about up-and-coming events as well as take part in activities that will contribute to them.

“It’s a great opportunity to connect with your own creative side and connect with other creatives in the borough.”

Click to LEARN MORE

Halton’s Gallant Heroes UPDATE March 2021

Imperial War Museum Mapping the Century.

Halton’s Gallant Heroes is now included in the IWM Mapping the Centenary which is a digital portal containing information about projects and activities that marked the First World War Centenary from 2014 – 2019.

Between June 2020 and March 2021, we invited organisations and individuals to tell us about their activity – from websites to events, to learning resources and historical research – to help us to understand how the centenary was marked.

Mapping the Centenary is developed with the kind support of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Runcorn Locks Restoration Society Press Release September 2019

Massive breakthrough to Unlock Runcorn.

“A dream come true”, “The best news ever”, “It’s changed the future of Runcorn for ever”, that’s the view of delighted campaigners who have just seen their years of devotion to Runcorn rewarded with the news that they have at last been successful.
The plan to make Runcorn a tourist destination by making it the centre of the “Runcorn Ring”, a new narrowboat tourist route is actually going to happen.
Building starts in a year and the project will be completed in 2022.

Click for 3D Visualisation and full Press Release.

Halton Heritage Press Release 1 June 2018

National Lottery support for‘Halton’s Gallant Heroes’ to mark the First World War Centenary.

Thanks to National Lottery players, Halton Heritage Partnership has received a Heritage Lottery Fund(HLF) grant of £9900 for a project ‘Halton’s Gallant Heroes’ in Widnes, Runcorn, Daresbury and Moore. Awarded through HLF’s First World War Then and Now programme. Click to view full press release.