LYMM has taken a proud and ambitious step onto the national stage with the formal submission of its Expression of Interest to become the UK’s first-ever Town of Culture in 2028.
The bid, with a top prize of £3m, reflects months of collaboration across the parish: conversations in living rooms and classrooms, lunchtime chats at local cafés, ideas shared during walks along the canal and Dam, and input from the volunteers, event organisers and creative groups who keep Lymm’s cultural life thriving year after year.
Submitted by the Lymm Town of Culture Partnership, with Lymm Parish Council as the Accountable Body, the proposal brings together festivals, heritage organisations, schools, youth groups, arts organisations, sports clubs, traders, faith venues and dozens of community volunteers.
A Story in Three Parts: “Lymm – Then, Now, Next”
The bid is rooted in a simple but powerful storytelling frame.
Then: A village shaped by water, engineering, craft, and generations of people arriving and making Lymm their home.
Now: A thriving community where more than 12,600 residents share events, traditions, green spaces, neighbourhoods and ideas – and where culture happens everywhere, from school halls to ginnels to the canal towpath.
Next: A Town of Culture year designed to make taking part feel easier and more welcoming for everyone. A year that removes barriers, shares responsibility, and gives newcomers and long timers alike the confidence to try something new.
This approach inspired a bid with a deep community focus: small pop ups in everyday spaces, better access information, a friendlier hosting model, low sensory and relaxed options, shared technical kit to support groups, and real responsibility for Lymm’s young people.
A Signature Moment: Voices on the Water
One proposed highlight is “Voices on the Water” – an atmospheric dusk gathering of lanterns and spoken stories shared along the canal or, if needed, around the Dam and green spaces. Whatever the route, the intention remains the same: a calm, beautiful, village-wide moment of reflection and connection.
Young People at the Heart of the Plan
The proposal puts youth at the centre of Lymm’s cultural future. It builds on the growing involvement of young curators, volunteers and performers, offering:
Real leadership roles
Digital storytelling and trail creation
Hands on event and production experience
A Youth Editorial Board with influence over how events are presented and explained
The aim is not only to support young people but to let them actively shape Lymm’s cultural identity.
Anna Leaver, Lead Bid Writer, said:“This bid is woven from the voices, ideas and hopes of people across Lymm. It grew from conversations on the canal path, chats in the Village Stores, classroom workshops, festival meetings and doorstep catch ups. Writing it has been a privilege because it represents something far bigger than a document — it represents a community coming together to say: this is who we are, and this is what we can do. Whatever happens next, Lymm has already shown its remarkable spirit.”
Councillor Sally Sharma, Chair of Lymm Parish Council, said: “We are immensely proud to submit this bid on behalf of the parish. Lymm has always had a strong cultural heartbeat — from our festivals to our heritage celebrations to the countless groups run by dedicated volunteers. This process has demonstrated just how connected, creative and committed our community is. We are ready for the next step.”
Next Steps in the Competition
A national shortlist is expected in the spring. Shortlisted towns will receive development funding of £60,000 to prepare their full bid over the summer and autumn. The final UK Town of Culture 2028 winner will be announced next year.
Regardless of the outcome, Lymm’s bid has already strengthened connections, sparked new ideas and set out a shared vision for the village’s cultural future.
