Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture awards success for Rugby

The Enjoy Rugby festival, organised by Rugby Borough Council to celebrate Rugby’s role as proud home and birthplace of the game during Rugby World Cup 2015, took a special award for its economic impact, while the award for best cultural event went to Rugby’s Festival of Culture 2016.

Rugby Borough Council was also shortlisted for its family programme at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum and for its creative marketing of the recent exhibition on the life and work of Sheila Bownas, also at the gallery.

The Enjoy Rugby festival was a two month events programme that covered art, culture, entertainment, music, film, comedy and specialist performances, alongside match-screenings for rugby supporters. The festival attracted 40,000 people from around the world, contributing at least three pounds to the economy for every pound spent. A volunteer programme involved more than 100 people who supported the events whilst an education programme engaged 2500 Key Stage 2 and 3 students.

This year’s Festival of Culture took place between 1 and 17 July, celebrating the town’s art, literature, music, film, dance, food and drink offer. The festival, funded by Rugby Borough Council and Rugby First, first started in 2010 – and over the last six years has grown significantly. It has helped raise the profile of the town whilst engaging groups and uncovering a cultural offer that for many years had been a well-kept secret.

Cllr Heather Timms, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth and investment, said:

The success of the Rugby World Cup 2015 programme has been plain for everyone to see, but it is still pleasing to have that hard work and investment rewarded for being the best in Coventry and Warwickshire.

“And with an award for Rugby’s festival of culture as well, it is clear that Rugby’s unique history, heritage and culture is worthy of wider recognition.

“With the opening later this year of the World Rugby Hall of Fame we will have an even stronger cultural offer, giving us more opportunities to raise the borough’s profile to new audiences across the world.”