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BBC News
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Lowestoft Benjamin Britten statue to be 'unveiled this year'
A statue of Benjamin Britten as a boy "is in the factory being cast" and is expected to be "unveiled this year" after a fundraising life-size bronze sculpture will be installed near the seafront in the Oscar-winning composer's hometown of Lowestoft, Suffolk, after £110,000 was by Ian Rank-Broadley, it will be placed opposite 21 Kirkley Cliff Road, where Britten was born on 22 November Soanes, vice chairman of the project, said he hoped the piece would act as an inspiration for many young people in the town. "The focus of it, and making it about him as a child, is to make children in the area realise they can achieve their ambitions too," the broadcaster and author told BBC Suffolk."When he was 14 his mother took him to the Norfolk and Norwich Festival where his talent was spotted."So, our idea of depicting him at that point is to really inspire children that whatever you want, if you work hard, it is achievable." 'A wonderful thing' The musician, who died in 1976, was previously described as a "genius" by the man tasked with bringing his likeness to life, sculptor Mr it would also not be possible without the "fantastic team of passionate people from the community" behind the Britten as a Boy project, said Mr Soanes."It has been a four-year process and a lot of hard work from [people] who have been pulling it all together," added the 48-year-old, from Lowestoft."The statue is now in the factory being cast as we speak and will be unveiled this year and installed in the next few months."We don't know exactly when, but it will be there this year. It will be a wonderful thing." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Suffolk arts projects awarded £500k after county council cutbacks
Half a million pounds of funding has been awarded to 33 museums and arts organisations across Suffolk in the hope of generating "new artistic experiences".Each of the recipients will be given a share of £500,000 from Suffolk County Council's Culture Project Fund, with successful bids ranging from £1,500 to £27,000.A panel of experts reviewed 131 applications for everything from new baby classes to a new community radio grants come after the authority previously revealed plans to cut arts funding from this year, which prompted backlash from the likes of Dame Judi Dench. 'Truly inspiring' Philip Faircloth-Mutton, cabinet member for Environment, Communities and Equality at the council said: "We are thrilled to be supporting a diverse range of creative and cultural projects. "As well as some higher-profile organisations, it's wonderful that lots of smaller projects, which often get overlooked for funding, will also benefit."The level of ambition and creativity shown in the applications was truly inspiring, demonstrating the incredible talent and passion that exists within Suffolk."This funding will help bring new artistic experiences to local communities, support the growth of our creative industries, and celebrate Suffolk's rich heritage." Suffolk County Council had previously announced plans to cut core arts funding by 100% after the 2024-25 financial after the government pledged a further £600m in funding for local authorities, the council performed a U-turn, pledging a £500,000 "funding pot".One of the arts venues which will benefit is the Theatre Royal, in Bury St Edmunds, which has been awarded £20, Calvert-Lyons, the theatre's artistic director and CEO, said while it will help cover the cost of its year-round participation programme, it actually represented an £80,000 cut."It is worrying what the impact is for Suffolk residents," he told BBC Suffolk."If the council is serious about providing great arts and culture then chopping that fund up into very small chunks is just one part of the picture."It doesn't really address how you get to sustain theatres, museums or great dance powerhouses in our region."Small pots are great but they don't address the need for great cultural infrastructure in our county." 'Decade of cuts' The Food Museum, in Stowmarket, also received £20,000 for its Rural Voices project, which wants to amplify the experiences of isolated and marginalised Jenny Cousins said: "It's always nice to receive funding, but we shouldn't let it mask the reality of a decade of cuts".Suffolk County Council was contacted for comment. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
