Farewell 2023... and here's to the future

2023 has been an eventful year for heritage, culture, and creativity in Torbay

We know that culture and heritage, creativity and the environment matter to people, and contribute to ‘Health and Happiness’ (Torbay’s civic motto). But we have to keep fighting for these things.

Although there continue to be difficulties for people and organisations - as with places across the country as a result of the cost of living crisis and the economic situation - we have made real progress:

The announcement in October 2023 that Torbay would be among the first Heritage Places named by the National Lottery Heritage Fund was incredibly welcome. This is a new 10 year strategic approach by the UK’s largest funder of heritage in places that have been selected using a new evidence based approach. We have worked closely with colleagues in the Heritage Fund to think through how this will work for Torbay, and the Fund has been a proactive and responsive partner.

This positive news - which was widely reported in the national media - followed a very successful visit by the Heritage Fund’s board and executive team to the bay in late September, where the Fund’s trustees and senior management met leaders of Torbay Council, partner organisations, and visited places - including Berry Head National Nature Reserve and Brixham harbour, Oldway house and gardens, the centre of Paignton and the historic Picture House, and Torre Abbey.

As a Heritage Place, Torbay will benefit from millions of pounds investment over the next 10 years. Torbay Council will need to work closely with the Heritage Fund to make this a real step change in how heritage can be at the heart of people’s lives, and the renewal of places.

Also during 2023:

• At Torre Abbey the DCMS/Arts Council England MEND scheme is supporting major conservation works being carried out there. The project, which is also benefitting from National Heritage Memorial Fund support, is seen as a example of good practice in how it is being managed by the abbey team.

• During the summer our new Torbay Local Heritage Grant Scheme, made possible thanks to the Heritage Fund’s £250,000 investment, went live. There was a lot of interest and the scheme was over-subscribed, but further rounds are planned. The first grants were awarded at the end of August, and projects are now under way.

• The Cultural Development Fund programme delivered activity in Paignton coordinated by Filament Works, and involving local partner organisations; and the enabling works started at Paignton Picture House. CDF is a government fund from DCMS, managed by Arts Council England, and is an investment of £3m for Torbay’s cultural development. Torbay Council and Torbay Culture secured this funding in 2022 following a very competitive process.

• The UNESCO visit during August involved multiple organisations and individuals, and resulted in the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark designation being awarded for another four years (2023-27). Discussions are underway with national bodies, including Historic England, the Heritage Fund, and the Arts Council, to explore support to increase both public engagement with the UNESCO designation and the sustainability of the Geopark’s management.

• The increased support of other lottery distributors, such as the National Lottery Community Fund has made a significant impact in Torbay. The Community Fund has taken a proactive approach which resulted in £2.4m of grants benefitting local communities in recent years.

Into 2024…

• The second round of the Torbay Local Heritage Grant Scheme opens on 22 January 2024. Keep an eye on the dedicated webpages for updates, the guidance notes and application form. The second round will remain open until 22 March, and there will be pre-application advice available as before. All details via the link above.

• Spring 2024 will also see Heritage Places get underway with a development phase. The next 12 months will be a Development Year which will involve the public and local heritage organisations being consulted on plans and ambitions for the future. That public participation and engagement activity will inform future investment, and will happen in partnership with the Heritage Fund.

• In September the Agatha Christie Festival returns, following this year’s which was one of the most successful. The major public artwork celebrating Agatha Christie being created by Brixham based Elisabeth Hadley will be installed. Commissioned by Torbay Council, in collaboration with the Festival, Artizan, Torbay Culture, and Agatha Christie Limited, the artwork will be a focal point of the Torquay harbourside improvements.

Throughout the last year, as with previous years, the support and encouragement of the volunteer advisory board of Torbay Culture has been invaluable. Thanks to them and all the partners who have made our shared progress possible, and this year, above all others, thanks to the Heritage Fund which has listened and engaged with us. The provision of long-term support will make the idea of ‘health and happiness’ through heritage and culture not just a nice idea, but a real possibility. A tangible example of ‘levelling up’ in action.

Finally, on a personal note I have decided to leave Torbay Council. In 2018 I applied to this role because I wanted to see culture and heritage at the heart of making our home a better place; and to build trust and confidence because I was weary of people being negative about Torbay. I remembered what an old friend, an artist, said about ‘we need beauty in dark times’.

I wanted to build meaningful relationship with external partners - like the Heritage Fund, Historic England, Arts Council England, and the DCMS - so that they could believe in us; and encourage local people who were doing great work to succeed. Thanks to some exceptional people and partners we have made progress. Taking a flexible and genuinely responsive approach - like those of the Community Fund and Heritage Fund - demonstrates that places can rise to the challenge, and make things more sustainable when our communities’ voices are heard. The recent Strengthening Communities report evidences this.

There is much more to do.

We will need real commitment from leaders across the bay. Advice will need to be listened to, voices heard, and political willpower to ensure there is support in place for culture and heritage.

I have lived here for many years and hope to stay. Although I have decided to work in different places, this is still my home. I will be leaving in time for spring 2024 - perfect for new challenges.

How we navigate change, or encourage it - depending on circumstance – often defines us. We do the work that we do, because we believe that culture, creativity, and heritage make the quality of people’s lives better. However you define it, whatever your interest.

Without it, life is less. Less rewarding, less rich, less inspiring, less healthy.

Thank you everyone who has been so supportive.

Martin Thomas, Executive Director

Image: The Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey (credit: Steve Heywood for The National Lottery Heritage Fund ‘Heritage Places’ announcement 2023)

An abridged version of this appeared in the PRSD, 21 December 2023