Volunteers behind Richmond’s UK Town of Culture 2028 bid have risen to the challenge of an unexpected request from government officials.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) asked applicants bidding for the prestigious title to submit a “postcard from your town” as part of their application.
Richmond’s bid team only received the request, which judges made to help them finalise their shortlist, on June 13.
But they had to submit a digital postcard by June 18.
Entries had to include an image and up to 100 words of text written in a conversational style, as if written from the town itself.
Towns were also later asked to produce a physical postcard in addition to the digital version.
The Richmond bid team, working through Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company (CIC), responded at short notice by commissioning Marrick-based artist Martin Lever.
The artist produced a bespoke postcard design for the town, including a specially created stamp, intended to capture Richmond’s cultural identity.
Ian Woods, director and chair of the CIC, said: “Martin rose to the challenge and produced a wonderful postcard design.”
The wording for the postcard was intentionally written in a chatty tone, with the greeting “Dear Phil” referencing Sir Philip Redmond, who leads the judging process.
The postcard was signed off from “Rich” as a stylised representation of the town itself.
Both digital and physical versions of the postcard, which was produced by local company Richmond Print, were submitted two days ahead of the deadline on June 16.
If Richmond’s bid is shortlisted, the town will receive £60,000 to develop a full application.
The eventual winner will be awarded £3m to fund a year of cultural events in 2028, while two runner-up towns will each receive £250,000.
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Fantastic. Great postcard and letter.Deserves success.