New cultural events grant scheme to launch
19 Aug 2025
The Animating Ashington cultural events grant scheme, is offering funding for a new round of events Autumn - Winter 2025.
A total of £60,000 in grants is being offered to cultural and community organisations, including Public Bodies to support more diverse events in the Ashington area.
The project is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and North East Combined Authority, with the North East Combined Authority as lead authority.
Applications will be open from Tuesday 19 August 2025 until Tuesday 9 September 2025.
To apply, organisations are being asked to request the guidance and application form by emailing growth@northumberland.gov.uk.
Organisations are being invited to apply for grant funding between £2,000 and £30,000 and the events must be delivered and fully completed between 1 October 2025 and 5 January 2026.
The grant funding must go towards the organisation of at least one event which will attract the public to enjoy cultural and engaging activities.
This could range from music, dance, visual art, theatre, animation, family fun, heritage, comedy and seasonal focused activities. For example, Halloween and Christmas.
Cllr Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council said: “It's great news that we can carry on the positivity of Animating Ashington with cultural events in the town developed locally for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“I’m very proud that this project has allowed so many people to enjoy events and activities in Ashington to kick starting a growing confidence in the town alongside the Northumberland Line opening.
“I'm looking forward to seeing more activities to boost the town starting later this year alongside construction work which is set to begin in the town with Portland Park cinema early next year too.”
Animating Ashington Phase 1 was launched as a new cultural project, delivered by one of the UK’s leading outdoor events and theatre spectacle companies Walk the Plank. Commissioned by the Council, over 20,000 residents and visitors have already enjoyed a host of events through Animating Ashington from winter 2024 to summer 2025 that brought colour, excitement and culture to the town centre and surrounding communities.
Events previously included the Toy Procession alongside Ashington Town Council’s Christmas Lights switch on, Light Nights, Pride of Ashington Torch Lit Procession/Feast of Fire, Seeding the Future Week, One Amazing Day, and Powering the Future Parade which was held alongside the Town Council’s Community Fair.
Cllr Caroline Ball, County Councillor for Ashington Central said: “We have had so much excitement and fun over the last nine months through Animating Ashington and lots of local organisations have been involved.
“I'm excited to see the ideas organisations have and more partnership based events being delivered soon.”
The project is part of the £36m Regenerating Ashington Programme to grow, renew and invest in the town delivered by Northumberland County Council with support from Advance Northumberland.
The aim of the fund is to support organisations working in the town to enhance the positive impact of Animating Ashington and deliver locally generated events for all to enjoy in the town centre or in the towns neighbourhoods.
Bev Ayre, Creative Producer, Walk the Plank who delivered the original Animating Ashington events programme on behalf of Northumberland County Council said: “It's been a pleasure to deliver Animating Ashington working with all the local partners in the town delivering creative and cultural celebrations to boost the town.
“Our programme up to summer 2025 delivered high profile events that fused local energy and support from a host of partners with our expertise in creating magical moments to wow audiences.
“From spectacular fireworks to large scale outdoor art events, parades and so much more we have shown the town can host and support incredible activities that people enjoy, building on the fantastic events the likes of the town council and other partners already deliver.
“We wish everyone well in delivering more events locally in this new phase of Animating Ashington.”
The overall programme is funded by UK Government, North East Combined Authority, Northumberland County Council and Advance Northumberland.