Berwick gets creative with £110,000 boost

A Northumberland town is backing its creative community with new funding.

More than £110,000 has been awarded through the Creative Action Fund to support cultural projects in Berwick-upon-Tweed. 

Managed by Create Berwick, the fund is part of a wider culture-led regeneration programme. 

Recent recipients include Berwick Music Society, which received £4550 for a new concert season, as well as Berwick Heritage Open Days’ steering group, which secured support for the production of a map to guide visitors around Berwick’s Heritage Open Days Festival.

Linda Bankier, from the steering group, said: “This map has helped make Heritage Open Days more accessible and engaging for everyone. 

“It’s a testament to the power of collaboration between creatives, businesses, and the community.”

A storytelling residency at Berwick Library has also received funding, delivered by writer and storyteller Chris Adriaanse.

Chris added: “Stories and the imagination are so important in developing our creativity. 

“Books and reading are a core part of that. 

“It is my hope that this residency helps more children to explore the library, their imaginations and stories in all their forms. 

“This project wouldn't have been possible without this funding and it has already led to other opportunities.”

Applications for round five are now open, offering up to £5000 for projects that engage communities and grow the town’s creative economy.

Andrea Oliver, manager at Create Berwick, added: “The Creative Action Fund awards grants of up to £5000 to creative practitioners, cultural organisations and community groups. 

“It’s there to help people develop new skills, grow businesses, test new ideas and deliver projects – which all add to Berwick’s growing creative economy.

“Creative Berwick exists to support the growth of our town’s cultural sector and in turn attract more visitors, create jobs and make Berwick an even better place to live, work and visit – and the Creative Action Fund is a core part of this.”

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