Councillor Caroline Utting told Ross-on-Wye Town Councillors on Monday, December 12th that the createROSS group has some very ambitious plans. The group is one of the partners in the Herefordshire bid for the City of Culture 2021.

Cllr Utting said that part of the work the group has already done is to let Herefordshire know just how much is already going on in Ross. The group is also looking for new projects and ideas. One of the proposals they are considering is for a 500 seat venue which could be used for performances and as a gallery. She said that other towns, of a similar size to Ross, have these facilities and they should be ambitious for Ross.

Cllr Utting asked for the Council’s support for the group and added that any ideas would also be fed into the Neighbourhood Plan for Ross-on-Wye.

The Herefordshire Cultural Partnership, have chosen a theme each month to bring the county together to promote key elements of why Herefordshire is so special. This month’s theme is Lightness and Darkness.

Herefordshire has the darkest skies in England and has the third highest percentage of the darkest skies, this benefits the well being of people as well as the wildlife. Herefordshire is also proud to be the home of the internationally recognised Royal National College, the cultural programme will aim to use this rich resource to celebrate the role of light, darkness and sight in the modern world.

Abigail Appleton, Vice Chair of the Herefordshire Cultural Partnership, said: “December seems apt to celebrate Lightness and Darkness as we all gear up for Christmas with market towns turning their lights on, to the age old tradition of the Wassail.

“Throughout December the Herefordshire Cultural Partnership will work together with events happening around the county to promote them with this unique theme to Herefordshire. The aim of the themes should be for Herefordshire residents and cultural representatives to put their own stamp on how they interpret the theme.”

To help promote the theme in December look on the City of Culture social media pages or online at www.herefordcityofculture.org