Bridgwater Town Deal Board and Somerset Council announce successful applicants for their first round of Bridgwater Events grant programme.
Released in May, the new events grant funded by Somerset Council’s Town Deal investment from Government has proved popular with local event organisers. Grants are available from £500 up to £10,000 to support organisations in their delivery of new events and activities that will draw people to the Town Centre and re-energise Bridgwater.
The decision panel met for this quarter and agreed on these events for Bridgwater:
Seed were awarded £3400 towards their new interactive and augmented reality exhibition called Hidden Station inspired by stories from local commuters at Bridgwater railway station running for 9 months from July.
Bridgwater Independent Market received £6635 to provide free activities and entertainment alongside their monthly markets from Sept – Dec and including a collaboration with Out and Proud Bridgwater.
The Sound of the Streets were awarded £3200 to produce a free day of high-quality music in October bringing the streets of Bridgwater to life for people to gather, dance and sing. The day will feature two professional bands and a Youth Band.
A two-day music film festival – Mayhem – for May 24 received £8500 and is to be produced by Somerset Film and Bridgwater Arts Centre across Bridgwater venues including Scott Cinema showing films with incredible scores and soundtracks, unique documentaries, popular singalong films and guest speakers.
Somerset Youth Theatre were awarded £3750. Subject to Arts Council funding SYT will start a weekly group in Hamp from January 2024 and will create an immersive performance in Bridgwater Town part picnic, part live board game, hosted and performed in June 2024.
Ruth Lambert, co-chair of the grant decision panel, said “Our first round of applicants have really stepped up to the challenge of animating Bridgwater with creative ways of enticing visitors to the town. These events will provide more footfall for our local small businesses and independents who are a vital part of the character of Bridgwater. We hope that this grant and the events it funds creates a culture for residents and visitors that Bridgwater is a vibrant town with much to do.”
Cllr Ros Wyke, Lead Member for Economy, Planning and Assets at Somerset Council, said: “The quality and range of events selected so far have demonstrated great imagination, innovation, and enthusiasm. They’ve been truly impressive community contributions.
“With all the planned redevelopments, Bridgwater has never been better placed to invite residents and visitors back to its streets for both entertainment and culture. This is key, because in a cost-of-living crisis we must do all we can to boost economic growth and recovery, as well as support the vitality of the town.”
Do you have an idea for an event in Bridgwater? Do you want to be a part of breathing life into the spaces of Bridgwater? Could you create something special in the heart of Bridgwater itself? For more information follow this link https://bit.ly/42sTuWI
Press release issued by Bridgwater Town Council
