Halton’s year as the city region’s Borough of Culture has begun without the usual fanfare amid uncertainty about how long the Covid-19 pandemic will continue.
The local council has planned an extensive calendar of events to celebrate its Borough of Culture year with a stadium concert from Canadian star Bryan Adams in July as the centrepiece.
But with the country in lockdown, some events have already been rearranged and the council is hoping to avoid cancellations later in the year.
Other plans intended to run throughout the year, including a Culture HQ at Runcorn Shopping City, will not be able to start until lockdown is lifted.
Even so, Halton Council is optimistic that it will be able to run a full schedule of events to mark its year as the Borough of Culture.
Cllr Eddie Jones, who is in charge of the council’s Borough of Culture plans, 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. "
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At a council meeting on Monday (February 8), council office Chris Patino explained how the third national lockdown had affected plans for the Borough of Culture celebrations.
He said: “A lot of what we were going to do early in the year has been pushed back to the back end of this year.”
Mr Patino did acknowledge that some events might have to be held without spectators, but said he was “hopeful” about prospects for the year, adding: “There’s nothing been cancelled yet and we are going all out to cancel nothing.”
One event that is already underway is the “mass make” encouraging residents to decorate the borough with origami cranes as a “symbol of hope and good fortune”.
Cllr Jones said: "Let's get creative and start off our Borough of Culture activities by bringing splashes of colour to Halton and sharing symbols of hope and good fortune throughout our community. Maybe hang your crane in the window to welcome and encourage renewed hope and fortitude in this new year?”
Origami kits can be ordered from Halton’s libraries, or made following instructions available online.
