Culture, Heritage and Sport
Pride of Place and Community Wellbeing
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The North East demonstrates an extraordinarily rich history, from Hadrian’s Wall to the steam turbines of Charles Parsons, from the Venerable Bede to the miners of South Medomsley, from the prehistoric rock art of Northumberland to the railways of County Durham. This history is one of our great strengths, and is notable for its diversity as well as for the pride that it inspires within communities across the North East.
Our regional heritage was the inspiration for the Festival of the North East over 10 years ago. Those festival events exemplified how creativity can engage all communities in the diverse stories (scientific/technical, personal, historical) that make up our society. Creativity is not just about entertainment, but educates and inspires those who get involved.
As your Green Mayor, my focus will be on supporting arts, sport and the heritage sector to:
- Foster the widest possible participation and involvement
- Instill shared pride and a sense of community across the region
- Support the health and wellbeing of all groups within society.
Because active participation is more important than passive consumption, I would prioritise community sports facilities over national or international sporting events. The ‘big ticket’ sports events can be a great way to bring people together and attract attention to the region, but they are of limited value if local swimming pools are closed due to austerity cutbacks, or playing fields built over. A Green Mayor’s role will be to ensure that government funding pays in full for any big events, and that communities can retain the local facilities that they rely on year round.
Learning about the history of a locality, its people, industries and traditions, can help build social identity and encourage mutual respect. A Green Mayor would ensure that policies on adult education, tourism and culture all contribute to this place-based learning. Programmes to educate shorter-term visitors in the culture and heritage of the region (including students at our four universities) would also be encouraged.
Participating in creative and cultural activities can be as important for mental health and wellbeing, as sporting activities are for physical health. While health and care are not formally part of the devolution deal, all levels of government have a responsibility to contribute to the wellbeing of everyone in the North East, and to reducing health inequalities. Culture, heritage and sports are all integral to this work, as long as the focus remains on community-based and participative projects.
Investment in culture and sporting facilities can have major benefits for the local and regional economy – an example could be the current plans for new UK film studios on the banks of the Wear in Sunderland. I would support such investments where a robust plan for business sustainability is in place, and where benefits for the local economy and the widest possible engagement can be demonstrated.
Photographs of two North East icons, both sadly missed (Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall, and Swan Hunter’s shipyard on the Tyne). Ouseburn Open Studios, November 2023. Andy McDermott (sculptor, left) showing to Zack Polanski (Green Party deputy leader) and Nick Hartley (Green Party candidate, Byker). Photographs by Patrick McArdle Return to Manifesto overview