Doncaster, Milton Keynes and Stanley in The Falkland Islands have been awarded city status approved by the queen, in a competition carried out as part of of Platinum Anniversary Celebrations, Cabinet announced.
Eight winners of Platinum Anniversary 2022 Civic Awards competition, also included Bangor in Northern Ireland, Colchester in England, Douglas on Island of Man, Dunfermline in Scotland and Wrexham in Wales.
competition for city status accepted place in everyone of in last three anniversary years with previous winners including Lisburn and Newport (2002) and Chelmsford (2012).
This time the competition was open. for in first time to apps from corona dependencies and overseas territory and attracted almost 40 articles.
In addition to showing why unique communities and distinct local identities deserve of city status, candidates also should have emphasized their royal connections and cultural heritage panel of eight officials.
MP Stephen Barclay, Chancellor of duchy of Lancaster, said, “What was clear me in the process of evaluation of each app was a pride that people felt for their communities, local cultural heritage and royal family”.
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Culture secretary, Nadine Dorris, said city status was “huge praise”, adding “This competition demonstrates best of UK and overseas territories and will serve as a lasting legacy of Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.
Bangor (pop. 61,000) in Northern Ireland was key website for allied forces during second world war, with Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers a speech to the 30,000 troops gathered there shortly before the ships. left for Normandy and D-Day invasion. queen and duke of Edinburgh visited Bangor Castle in 1961, before dinner at the Royal Ulster Yacht Club. in in run-up to the Prince Philip race in regatta. Previously, Edward VII visited in 1903
Colchester (pop. 122,000) – British first registered settlement and its first capital, and for in past For 165 years it was a garrison town. The first site, its contemporary art gallery, called the Museum of the Art Fund of in year in 2021.
Doncaster (population 110,000) stressed that his “community spirit and resilience were demonstrated during the Doncaster flood in 2019 like community come together to help.” Originally a Roman settlement home in Saint-Leger, founded in 1776 and the oldest classic horse race in in world, regularly visited by members of the royal family since the time of George IV. He has made three previous attempts for city status.
Douglas (pop. 27,000) has ties to the royal family family through the Royal National Lifeboat Institute established there, with George IV as first patroness, and today patroness of the queen. His cultural highlights include the annual Isle of Man Music Festival since 1892 and the Isle of Man of Film Festival “Man”, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. year.
dunfermline (pop. 56,000) best known son probably Andrew Carnegie, whose steel and industry helped build United States, and whose philanthropy started the world public library system, according to Dunfermline’s application. His royal connections stretch back to reign of Malcolm III, king of Scotland from 1058 to 1093 when he set up there is his court.
Milton Keynes (population 223,000), new city started in queen’s reign, described in his application as “top of in national Post-war planning movement. Today it has 27 protected areas, 50 planned monuments, 1100 monuments. building and 270 pcs. of public art.
Stanley, in The Falklands (pop. 2,100) are regularly visited by members of Royal family including Prince William, who spent six based there for weeks as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. This year 40 years have passed since the Falklands conflict.
Wrexham (pop. 42,500) boasts the Pontcysyllte aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. world a heritage site described as “a masterpiece of creative genius.” This also home to Wrexham Football Club, created in 1864 and is considered the third oldest in UK and with the world’s oldest international Earth. in past decade, Wrexham became one of fastest growing malls in United Kingdom.
