Protest held over Town of Culture bid

DIVISON has deepened over Strabane’s bid to become the inaugural UK Town of Culture 2028, with a local councillor claiming there has been a “lack of transparency” and public consultation.

Raymond Barr was among around 200 people who took part in a white line protest in the town on Saturday calling on council to withdraw the bid.

The protest took place as Storm Boelo battered the province and stretched from Upper Main Street to Abercorn Square.

Strabane was shortlisted from around 400 initial entrants to the competition , and received £60,000 to advance its application.

The bid has progressed to the final 15 towns, with Derry City and Strabane District Council preparing its final submission ahead of the November 31 deadline.

The winning town will receive £3 million to deliver its proposed cultural programme, while the two runners-up will each receive £250,000.

Saturday’s white line demonstration called for the council to withdraw the bid.

Supporting that call, councillor Barr said he believes there has been a "lack of transparency" surrounding the process, and pointed to the recent visit to the town by the chair of the competition's judging panel, Sir Phil Redmond - a visit he says as an elected representative, he was not made aware of.

Councillor Barr, an independent representative for the Sperrin DEA, said there has been increasing discontent over the town's bid for the UK title, and voiced his opposition.

"I was disappointed and angry that some elected reps were not notified of the visit by Sir Phil Redmond, the chair of the panel of judges for the UK Town of Culture. There was a distinct lack of transparency here,” he said.

"The visit obviously wasn't 'spur of the moment' as many local 'dignitaries' and groups had been informed in advance and were obviously sworn to secrecy.

"In terms of the bid itself one has to ask if this whole process, which seems to be managed with a lack of transparency, is worthwhile.

"It would not have taken a rocket scientist to know that this bid was going to be met with opposition in Strabane.

"Just as a bid to award an Irish Town of Culture award to a unionist town would be met with similar disapproval.

"The feedback I am getting from people is that they are angry that there wasn't any public consultation.

"I have seen people out in Asda car park with questionnaires but that's a bit late and probably prompted by the strong opposition shown by townspeople in recent days.”

He added: "I'm an independent councillor and I work for anyone who asks me regardless of colour or creed and I will continue to do so as long as I am a councillor, but I am also a proud Strabane man and a republican and I make no apology for that and I am opposed to the town competing for the first UK Town of Culture award."

Council says securing a spot on the shortlist represents a pivotal, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the border town and could provide lasting social and economic benefits.

It said the application was shaped through weeks of intense collaboration between council, arts organisations, community groups, schools, and the local business sector.

The bid has attracted the support of many local figures including BBC personality Hugo Duncan, comedian Emer Maguire and musician Paul Brady.

Responding to the comments on transparency, a spokesperson for the local authority said: “Council has sought to ensure transparency and community engagement throughout the UK Town of Culture process.

“The decision to submit an application on behalf of Strabane was approved by elected members, and the initial bid submitted in March incorporated ideas from engagement with community and cultural groups.

“Following Strabane’s shortlisting in July, engagement was stepped up further to give local communities, businesses, cultural organisations and other stakeholders opportunities to contribute to the final bid.

“Council remains committed to an open and inclusive process, with local voices central to shaping the final bid.”

Council said elected members had been advised of Sir Phil Redmond’s planned visit to the town as part of "a member briefing" bid.

The spokesperson added: "The visit was conducted in a personal capacity by Sir Phil and presented as an informal opportunity for Sir Phil, as chair of the Expert Advisory Panel, to meet local people, including community representatives, businesses, artists, young people, and other stakeholders to learn more about the town and its cultural life.

"The Mayor, as the civic representative of council, met with Sir Phil as part of the visit."