Agenda item

Presentation by the Head of Heritage and Culture

The Bicentennial Festival Director provided Members with a presentation on the plans in place for the 2025 celebrations, in relation to the 200^th anniversary of the World’s first passenger-carrying train on a public railway, the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

The presentation covered the aims of the festival (‘S&DR200’), which included an eye on developing both national and international partnerships, the focus on a youth driven approach, and a celebration of community achievements. The Festival Director stated that there would be a number of workshops, programmes that would target cultural and heritage enthusiasts, families, multi-generational groups, hard to reach socio-economic groups, and that there would be an education and learning programme. It was noted that there was already interest in the Festival in Germany, France, the USA, New Zealand and Australia.

Members were informed that S&DR200 would be a nine month celebratory festival, which covered March 2025 to November 2025, however it was stated that there would also be much activity throughout 2024 leading into the festival period. The Festival would include experiences utilising museums and libraries in Darlington, Stockton and Shildon, with Teesside University taking the lead on the digital offer, and a three-day celebration in September 2025 around the inaugural journey.

Members heard about the Heritage Conferences that would be established, and the work within the railway market to ensure that S&DR200 would be central to all communications, with work being undertaken with various national media outlets. Members were also advised on the Community Projects and Volunteering and Shadowing Programme that would be established.

RESOLVED – That the content of the presentation be noted.