Colchester High Street.

THE KEY organiser behind Colchester’s bid to become the designated City of Culture for 2017 has spoken of his plans to put on an international arts festival in the town.

According to Dorian Kelly, bid director for the Colchester Cultural Partnership, a decision was taken to pull out of the running to become UK City of Culture last month. But, he says, people in Colchester will still benefit from the work that went into building the bid.

He said: ” We had a very strong bid and had the support of Colchester Borough Council as well as more than 30 arts and sports organisations in the area. But, it was felt we were missing a few vital factors - such as partnerships with the business community - that would have lent the bid credibility.”

Mr Kelly said this led to Colchester pulling out of the bidding process.

He added: “But we do intend to build on the links we have made and have plans for a range of events over the coming years.”

These include communuity art events on some of Colchester large estates, such as Greenstead St Anne, Hythe and Monkwich, involving dance and theatre performances. In addtion, an international arts festival featuring performers from Avignon and Lille in France and St Petersburg in Russia, is planned for some time between 2016 and 2018.

Mr Kelly said: “These were international links we made when we were building the bid and we intend to keep them going.”

He was speaking on the day the Department for Culture Media and Sport announced the eleven destinations that have been short-listed for the City of Culture 2017 award. Towns in the running include Aberdeen, Chester, Dundee, Hull, Leicester and Southend on Sea in Essex.