Arts and Business Honours Bewdley Festival Nominees

A reception organised by Arts and Business in association with the Birmingham Post and  hosted by  Central Television's Bob Warman, was held at the Jaguar Car Visitor Centre on Thursday 29th March  to honour  23 Jaguar Land Rover Cultural Champions for Arts and Business.  Four of those appointed champions were nominated by Bewdley Festival.

These awards recognise, applaud and celebrate the work of individuals and businesses who have shown outstanding support and commitment to an arts or cultural organisation in their community.  Kathryn Key, Carole Swingler and Jos Swingler are volunteers who give their time and expertise to organise Bewdley Festival, and Bob Davies, of Robert Arthur Davies Ltd. Independent Insurance Advisors, is a regular supporter and sponsor of the Festival.

Speakers Philip Spedding, Director of Arts and Business,  Les Ratcliffe Head of Community Relations Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility  for Jaguar Land Rover, and Stephen Howard, Chief Executive of Business in the Community all stressed the importance of such support for the arts during the economic downturn  and praised the Cultural Champions  for making the best contributions to the arts in the Midlands.

2010:

At the Arts & Business held a reception in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in October 2010, hosted by Culture Minister, Ed Vaisey.  Certificates were presented to forty five individual and business ’Cultural Champions’ four of whom were nominated by Bewdley Festival.  Part of an England wide programme these awards are intended to celebrate and showcase the work of individuals and businesses who have shown outstanding support and commitment to an arts or cultural organisation in their community. 

Cynthia Pearson, Roger Key and Colin Hill are volunteers who give their time and expertise to help to organise the Festival and Dale Parmenter of drp group which specialises in Communications has regularly provided technical assistance as well as sponsorship. Jenny Paddock, Festival Director, said, "These are just some of the people whose support, financial and otherwise, helps the Arts to survive in this country.   We are so pleased that Arts and Business has honoured them in this way."   

Arts & Business emphasise that philanthropy isn’t always about the extravagantly wealthy but part of a story of real people up and down the country, helping local communities through involvement in the arts.