Dorchester applies for city status (From Dorset Echo)
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Dorchester applies for city status
1:30pm Thursday 20th January 2011 in News By Lucy Pearce
DORSET’S historic county town of Dorchester has applied to become a city.
One town in England will gain city status to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year.
There can only be one winner in the City Status Competition and community leaders in the town believe Dorchester has got what it takes to scoop the first prize.
Town councillors’ unanimously agreed to enter a submission for Dorchester at a policy committee meeting held on Tuesday evening.
City status does not apply automatically on the basis of any particular criteria, although it was traditionally given to towns with diocesan cathedrals.
However in the 20th century it was recognised that city status in England and Wales would no longer be bound by the presence of a cathedral.
Town clerk Dennis Holmes, speaking at the meeting, said: “This is a real opportunity and Dorchester could put a strong case – we tick a lot of the boxes.”
He added that it would not cost any more to run Dorchester as a city than it does running it as a town.
Mr Holmes said the only additional expenditure would arise from modifying the signage in the town.
The town crier, Alistair Chisholm, said: “London, Paris, New York and Dorchester – it rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
“If it has got to be a place that has a long history then Dorchester certainly qualifies.
“Dorchester is growing and we have strong royal connections. If there is going to be a competition, I think we are certainly deserving of city status.”
Mayor of Dorchester Les Phillips, whose role would be elevated to Lord Mayor shoud Dorchester be successful, added: “I think it’s an excellent chance for Dorchester to really be put on the map.
“I think they will look favourably at what’s happening in Dorchester.”
Dorchester town, district and county councillor Trevor Jones added: “There’s nothing to lose from this and there’s a lot to gain.
“I am sure competition will be stiff but we must put our best foot forward.
“It’s a town with a great sense of identity and community spirit and I think we should put in a strong bid.”
The smallest city in the UK is currently St David’s in Wales with a population of 2,000 while Dorchester has a population of more than 17,500.
Any local authority in any part of the UK can enter the competition but guidelines suggest that places honoured should be ‘vibrant, welcoming communities with interesting histories and distinct identities’.
It is not clear how entries will be judged but the winner will be announced next year.
Comments(23)
Duckorange
says...
1:48pm Thu 20 Jan 11
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...or painted on the side of a yellow Reliant Robin van.
CoogarUK.com
says...
2:03pm Thu 20 Jan 11
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james_spider
says...
2:03pm Thu 20 Jan 11
Buckles
says...
2:14pm Thu 20 Jan 11
The similiarities are evident!!
Weymouth Girl
says...
2:19pm Thu 20 Jan 11
Buckles wrote:I would say its 'Well Worth It....'
London has Buckingham Palace, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York has Times Square, Dorchester has Wellworths!!! The similiarities are evident!!
JANEAUSTEN
says...
2:28pm Thu 20 Jan 11
JANEAUSTEN
says...
2:29pm Thu 20 Jan 11
X Old Bill
says...
2:47pm Thu 20 Jan 11
I suppose Roman Durnovaria is just slightly older, maybe that fact could be used to support this strange idea.
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JANEAUSTEN:
The problem with suggesting Bournemouth is that they will then want to swallow up Christchurch and Poole - That would really upset a lot of people.
Duckorange
says...
2:54pm Thu 20 Jan 11
JANEAUSTEN wrote:This a bit of a misconception, a city doesn't need either.
Always thought a city had to have either a cathedral or university to be called 'a city', though if it has a cathedral doesnt nec. mean it is a city. Must be exceptions - think Dorch is too small really, shame though,have to make do with Bournemouth (at least its got an airport).
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Any money spent on an application is going to be wasted, I understand Reading is amongst the favourites.
james_spider
says...
4:22pm Thu 20 Jan 11
skyblueneil1967
says...
5:57pm Thu 20 Jan 11
Duckorange
says...
6:16pm Thu 20 Jan 11
skyblueneil1967 wrote:Weymouth doesn't want to be promoted. Dorchester is more than welcome to its inner-city slums!
Dorchester this,Dorchester that,what about Weymouth?.....just thought i'd throw that in the pot!
X Old Bill
says...
6:50pm Thu 20 Jan 11
No Cathedrals in Dorset.
No Motorways in Dorset.
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From the tourists point of view the County has a lot going for it for not having all these things.
Genghis
says...
6:54pm Thu 20 Jan 11
skyblueneil1967 wrote:City status for Weymouth? No thanks. Could you imagine how much the Borough Council would bump up the Council Tax to reflect such a "higher" status? The towns of Weymouth and Portland will do.
Dorchester this,Dorchester that,what about Weymouth?.....just thought i'd throw that in the pot!
bootedsw
says...
7:56pm Thu 20 Jan 11
dorset & proud
says...
11:05pm Thu 20 Jan 11
JANEAUSTEN wrote:Would that mean that Poundbury becomes a Suburb instead of a "Village"? - he's not going to like that, is he.
Couldnt Charlie use his influence?
mark@greenhill
says...
7:23am Fri 21 Jan 11
Like decent shops, restaurants and some semblance of night life.
Whoever thought up this crazy idea, really needs to get out more.
Bournemouth is the only place worthy of City status in Dorset.
Caption Sensible
says...
7:53am Fri 21 Jan 11
Besides Bournemouth/Poole, there is only going to be one place worthy of such an honour in the future - an enlarged and updated, Olympic Borough.
white43
says...
12:05pm Fri 21 Jan 11
K9
says...
12:31pm Fri 21 Jan 11
Wolfysmith
says...
7:12pm Fri 21 Jan 11
jmd1958
says...
9:00pm Sat 22 Jan 11
Sorry Dorch, fell at the first hurdle! Anyway, I can't see that arrogant people would take kindly to something as down market as city status.
ontheotherhand says...
1:41pm Thu 20 Jan 11