A galaxy of stars is backing Chester’s bid to win the UK City of Culture 2017 title.
With a decision due on Wednesday on which four of the 11 bidding cities will make the shortlist, bookies’ favourite Chester has received strong support from celebrities with local connections.
Actor Roger Moore, a wartime evacuee to Chester who gained international fame starring as James Bond in seven films, sent a message of support to the campaign.
He said: “Chester is a charming city and I was pleased to hear that a brand new theatre is to be built there, especially in these difficult economic times for local authorities. I am happy to add my support to make Chester the UK City of Culture 2017 and wish the campaign success.”
Russ Abbot, who grew up in Hoole Lane and went to Hoole and Newton Junior School and then Chester City Grammar School, got his first taste of culture in Chester when he worked backstage at the Royalty Theatre and at the height of his television fame added the spoof secret agent Basildon Bond to his repertoire of madcap characters.
He formed the Black Abbots who won TV’s Opportunity Knocks in 1969 and after a decade of the group’s success, Russ’s comedic talents made him one of the nation’s favourite performers with his own shows on ITV (Russ Abbot’s Madhouse) and then BBC (The Russ Abbot Show).
Russ said: “I have fond memories of Chester and think it would be a wonderful choice to be the next city of culture in 2017. I look forward to being able to go home to Chester during the year of celebrations and wish their campaign success.”
Britain’s greatest ever gymnast, three-times world champion Beth Tweddle, commented: “I know from competing as a gymnast that winning takes hard work, a good support team, a clear view of what you are trying to achieve and enthusiasm.
“Winning the UK City of Culture 2017 title would be a tremendous boost for Chester. It would also recognise just how much cultural activity is going on within the community, and the theatre planned for 2016 will be a wonderful asset.”
Her sporting words of encouragement were echoed by England rugby union star Ben Foden who said: “Chester would make a brilliant UK City of Culture 2017, especially as it is expected we will have the new theatre by then. Just as I have worked hard to succeed in sport I know there are people from all over the Chester area doing excellent work in cultural activities.
“The whole city needs to create an enthusiastic atmosphere and get behind the bid. Beating the opposition would give the city and theatre international attention and create a legacy.”
Tim Firth, who wrote the script for the hit film Calendar Girls – and UK box office record-breaking play – lives near Chester with his family. He said: “Chester has a key cultural role to play in the region and winning the award for 2017 would provide marvellous encouragement to all the people in the community who either organise or support the many live performances, music, art, literature and festivals.
“Being named UK City of Culture 2017 would also provide a wonderful boost for the new theatre planned for 2016 and help build on the reputation of the Roman city as a great place to visit and live.”
The whole of the Hollyoaks cast, which is set in Chester, is backing the city’s campaign.
Actress Stephanie Davis, who plays Sinead O’Connor in the TV series, said: “Chester is always buzzing with activity. The theatre in the park is receiving national attention, the literature and music festivals are excellent, and other cultural activities include things like the City of Giants and Chester Rocks. The shopping is fab as well.”
And Stephanie Waring (who plays Cindy Cunningham) said: “Because Hollyoaks is set in Chester we get lots of interest from fans in the city. I always enjoy visiting, whether we are filming there or just spending some social time and it will be fantastic if Chester can win the City of Culture title for 2017.”
Some of the city’s great footballing heroes are also backing the bid. Ex-England football player Danny Murphy is a proud Cestrian whose interest in culture extends beyond his actress wife Joanna Taylor whose roles have included starring in Chester-based TV series Hollyoaks.
The former Liverpool and Fulham player, now with Blackburn, who was educated at Kingsway High School, said: “Chester was a wonderful place to grow up and although my career has been in football, I always appreciated the history of the city and just how hard many individuals and organisations have worked to put on performances, stage festivals and create a cultural buzz.
“It has been great to see the massive support from fans to help the city’s football club earn three promotions in a row and I am sure that the whole of Chester will be mobilising to get behind the bid for UK City of Culture 2017.”
Chester City’s record goal scorer from the 1960s, Gary Talbot, added: “Chester is a great place for sport and culture. Getting on to the shortlist for UK City of Culture 2017 would be like reaching the FA Cup semi-final and I am sure that with the support of the whole city we could go on to win the title.”
Multi-award winning television journalist Lucy Meacock has sent a personal message of support for Chester’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2017.
As the face of television news in the North West through her Granada News anchor role and as a regular ITN News presenter, she has become a household name.
She said: “I was lucky enough to be at school in the city of Chester in the 1970s and I know it would be the perfect setting for the UK Capital of Culture 2017. Tourists often miss Chester – and head to bigger cities instead. That’s a huge mistake.
“In so many ways it’s a city for all seasons. You can enjoy A Christmas Carol at the Town Hall and summertime shows at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.
“It’s also full of people who work tirelessly to ensure local people are involved in a variety of arts projects.”
