Minister praises Northumberland town's cultural industries following Royal visit by William and Kate

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are undertaking working visits across the UK to pay tribute to the incredible work of individuals and organisations that have gone above and beyond in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Their Royal Highnesses visited Holy Trinity First School and saw a performance by the Earl Grey Saxes, in conjunction with The Maltings who have received a £230,000 share of the Government’s unprecedented £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

This funding is helping The Maltings to trial new live and digital approaches, and to put on shows in the future.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “It is wonderful news that Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been able to visit Berwick today to see the positive impact that culture has on our communities.

“Throughout the pandemic, organisations across the country have stepped up to support those in need and our choirs, bands, actors, film makers, museums - and the technical crews that support them - are no different.

"Cultural and heritage organisations across the country have brought us joy and happiness online, on television and on our mobile phones by creating cultural content we can enjoy safely.

“Today’s visit is a tribute to the hard work of those in the Earl Grey Saxes and at the Maltings - and all those working in culture in the region. I am delighted that we are helping them to develop new digital initiatives and put on shows once again with a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund.”

In total, Northumberland has received £2,144,069 from the Culture Recovery Fund which has benefitted 25 organisations including Aln Valley Railway Trust, Alnwick Playhouse and Queen's Hall Arts.

The Culture Recovery Fund is the Government’s £1.57 billion investment to protect Britain’s world-class cultural, arts and heritage institutions from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Launched in July 2020, so far more than £500 million has been announced for over 2,000 cultural organisations across England. Further announcements on loans and capital funding are expected in the coming weeks.

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