THE board of the Chester Mystery Plays has pledged to bring the next cycle forward a year to 2017, if Chester wins its bid to become the UK’s City of Culture.

Chairman Jo Sykes said: “The Chester Mystery Plays board has agreed to support Chester in its bid by bringing forward the next cycle of plays from 2018 to 2017 as its contribution to the city’s submission.”

The decision was put to a meeting of culture groups, at Chester Town Hall last night, which was followed by a workshop at Action Transport Theatre’s Whitby Hall in Ellesmere Port. Other groups represented included Chester Performs, Theatre in the Quarter, Action Transport Theatre and Cheshire Dance.

Jo, who is currently working on the 2013 production of the plays, which opens at Chester Cathedral on June 26, admitted that work on the 2017 production would have to commence ‘as soon as the curtain goes down’ on 2013.

The 2013 production, directed by Peter Leslie Wild, is budgeted to cost £350,000 and Jo and the board devote much of her time to fundraising for the project.

The Chester Mystery Plays were written by monks of the Abbey of St Werburgh (now Chester Cathedral) in the 14th century. They were banned in the 16th century and revived in 1951 to celebrate the Festival of Britain. They have been produced every five years since then.

Hundreds of people have been showing their support for Chester’s bid to become the 2017 City of Culture – and The Chronicle is delighted to be joining them today.

In just over a week, more than 600 people have backed the bid on Facebook, Twitter and the new website established to show direct support.

In the House of Commons, Culture Secretary, Ed Vaizey dubbed Chester ‘the Jewel in the Crown of the North West’ – following his recent visit to speak at the LGA conference on how culture can improve local economies.

He was responding to a question from Chester MP Stephen Mosley who is backing the bid believing that the recent transformation and expansion of cultural activities in the city deserves recognition.

And yesterday (Wednesday) it was revealed that should Chester – the only North West city among the 11 contenders – claim the title, activities will be spread right throughout the borough and run from 2014 as a preview to the big year.

The bid team – representatives from the council’s culture, tourism, heritage, and regeneration services - are working flat out to complete details of the initial bid in time for the April 30 deadline.

Proposals will build on the city’s ever-expanding culture and heritage offers making the most out of the borough’s under-used buildings and new additions like the Chester theatre and Northwich Memorial Court Leisure and Entertainment Centre.

Should the Chester bid succeed, a public partnership board will be formed to drive the City of Culture programme, aided by an official volunteer force similar to the successful Olympic Games model.

And in addition to the professional programme, local organisations in every part of Cheshire West and Chester will be encouraged to play their part by staging their own events.

Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for culture said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to launch the city on a national and international stage as a culture venue.

“We are raising the curtain on a new era. Chester’s culture offer will complement its heritage and retail attractions – all of which, we believe go to create a truly international class visitor centre.”

Cllr Louise Gittins, Shadow spokesperson, culture and recreation, added: “It’s vital Chester improves its cultural offer year on year. Chester Performs recently announced 2013’s summer programme of festivals and events and there are lots of other local providers working hard to add their contribution to the vibrancy of the city.

“Chester has an important and distinguished heritage offer. And there is a shared ambition for a new theatre and cultural hub – one of the few being built anywhere in the country.

“Everyone would like to see Chester as the 2017 British City of Culture. We need to make a serious and credible case to win for the sake of our wider communities across Cheshire West, our economy and our cultural providers too.”

If it is shortlisted in June, Chester will have to make a full and final bid for the title by the end of September and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport plans to announce the winner in November this year.

Messages of support for the bid have been received from arts and culture organisations, business and commerce and many individual members of the public.