Shildon Town Council – UK Town Of Culture 2028

We are naturally disappointed to share that Shildon has not been shortlisted for the UK Town of Culture 2028 title.

While this is not the outcome we hoped for, reaching this point was still a significant achievement. Shildon stood proudly alongside hundreds of towns from across the UK, helping to put our town, our people and our remarkable heritage on the national stage.

Last year, Shildon played a proud and central role in the Stockton and Darlington Railway 200-year anniversary celebrations, marking two centuries since the first journey on the railway that helped give birth to the modern railway. The anniversary brought people together across the town, from organisations working together to create a ‘Little Street Cavalcade’, to Locomotion no.1 replica journey that started from Locomotion along the original railway route to the community picnic in Hackworth Park, named after Timothy Hackworth, one of the pioneering engineers most closely associated with Shildon’s railway heritage. It was a moment that put Shildon’s history, culture and community spirit firmly in the spotlight, reminding everyone that our town’s contribution to railway history is not only local, but national and international.

We would like to thank everyone who supported the bid, including our partners, local organisations and community groups.

Sam Rushworth MP said: “Having worked hard alongside others on Shildon’s bid, this is obviously a blow. We don’t need a title to feel proud of Shildon’s cultural heritage, but I am sad about the lost chance to fund opportunities for young people in the area, bring heritage assets back into use, and grow the local economy. We’re not beaten though. Shildon has a strong community, and we’ll come together, fundraise, and find other ways to achieve our ambitions.”

This bid was never just about a title. It was about celebrating who we are, recognising where we have come from, and building ambition for Shildon’s future. The conversations, partnerships and ideas that have come from this process will not stop here. We will continue to champion Shildon, celebrate our heritage, support our community and seek every opportunity to bring investment, pride and activity into our town.

Shildon’s story is far from over — and we will keep telling it.