Liz McInnes backs calls for Town of Culture award

Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood and Middleton

Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood and Middleton, has joined calls for the creation of a Town of Culture award to recognise the artistic and cultural work that takes place in towns.

Ms McInnes was speaking in Westminster Hall in a debate arranged by her Labour colleague David Hanson, MP for Delyn, and spoke about some of the many cultural attractions here in both Heywood and Middleton.

She said: “I was delighted to take part in the debate and to talk about some of the amazing creative working happening in our towns.

“The City of Culture award is well known, but I agree with those who say that a Town of Culture Award is much-needed and would be well deserved by many places, in my opinion not least by both Heywood and Middleton.

“In my speech I tried to mention as many examples of the terrific work taking place here as possible. Both Heywood and Middleton have a rich cultural heritage but it's not just in the past that we should take pride - it's here and now, too.

“If the award is created, I look forward to working with local communities on the bids for Heywood and Middleton.

“We've got a lot to be proud of - let's shout about it.”