DOZENS of successful projects will be awarded a share of £20,000 to help them put on creative events across Colchester.

Colchester Council has handed out the cash to 24 groups from its Creative Events Fund.

The fund aims to support and grow creative events happening across the borough between the May 1 of this year and April 30, 2021.

Groups are offering a range events, including everything from music, theatre and art to creative writing, photography and the digital arts.

Julie Young, portfolio holder for culture and performance and deputy leader of the council, said: “We were thrilled to have so many applications to this new fund.

“I am confident we have chosen a wide and diverse range of projects which our residents will benefit from.

“I cannot wait to see plans now put into action and see the end results.”

The £20,000 is to be split between the 24 winning projects after a panel discussion led by Mrs Young.

All successful projects had to demonstrate they would be deliverable and meet at least two of the following criteria - deliver high-quality cultural experiences to local audiences; develop and showcase local artistic talent; encourage visitors to the borough; or to celebrate local communities.

Consideration was also given to ensuring support for a spread of events across the borough, across a wide range of art forms and activity, aiming to attract as wide and diverse an audience as possible for the funding available.

The successful projects are:

  • Roman River Festival
  • Packing Shed Theatre
  • The John Ball Society
  • Black History Month
  • Colchester Pride
  • Layer De La Haye Parish Council
  • Jordan Shultz
  • The Munnings Art Museum
  • Space Colchester
  • Roman Circus Visitor Centre
  • Destination Colchester
  • Eight Ash Green Festival
  • En-form
  • Signals Media Arts
  • Rowhedge Regatta
  • The Pride Players
  • The 18 Club
  • Unfamiliars
  • Colchester Makers Space
  • Festival of Rice and Spice
  • Wivenhoe Pub History Trail
  • Communities Fiji Britain
  • Colchester WriteNight
  • St Mary Magdalen’s Hospital Almshouse Charity