Did you know in 2024 it will be 50 years since the borough of Halton was created? Community partners and the Council have put together a year of events and activities for everyone to take part in and enjoy.

Launched with both bridges being illuminated Gold from 1 January, the anniversary celebrations – Halton 50 – will include shows, exhibitions, artworks and outdoor events.

Just a few examples of the activities and events during the year are: Gaia at Norton Priory – the touring Earth artwork by Luke Jerram, creator of Museum of the Moon; voluntary sector 50^th anniversary awards; Bands in the Parks through the summer; special November fireworks display and Halton Tiles – primary schools art project to celebrate 50 years of Halton.

As part of a Liverpool City Region wide programme, the Destination Halton project will be running a 50 Quirky Things to do in Halton throughout 2024 – why not see if you can complete all 50! And watch out for spot prizes! All the details will be posted on the Visit Halton website.

The Council is also excited to announce Community and Culture 50^th Anniversary Grant schemes, where the community can apply for a Community Grant of up to £750 or a Cultural grant up to £3000.

Grant 1: Community Events/Activities: 

To enable small community groups to join in with the celebrations, we are boosting our Community Development Grants to £750 for any activity that relates to the Halton 50^th celebrations. This grant could be used to run a dedicated 50^th event or used to boost an existing activity, providing extra resources to help mark Halton’s 50^th Year. The £750 grants will only be available for activity due to take place in 2024.

This grant will be open all year and applications will be accepted and processed as they are submitted. Please note the grant will close once all the available funding has been allocated.

Grant 2: Cultural Grants:

Halton Borough Council is also partnering with the UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) to launch Halton 50 Cultural Grants. These grants are specifically designed to support local cultural initiatives that contribute to Halton’s rich community. In addition we also hope to connect a number of community organisations with Cultural activities increasing engagement across the borough.

The grant is up to £3000, projects need to take place between 1^st April 2024 and 31^st December 2024. Applications are now open with a deadline of 9am Monday 19^th February 2024, decisions will be made mid-March.

Further details of all events and grants will be available at https://visithalton.co.uk/halton-50-funding/

The borough of Halton was created in 1974 as a result of local government reforms in England (Local Government Act 1972) when the former Runcorn Urban District and the Municipal Borough of Widnes, were brought together, along with the parishes of Daresbury, Moore, Preston Brook and Hale.

The name of the new district was inspired by the ancient Barony of Halton which had possessed land on both sides of the river.

Further change came on 1 April 1998, when Halton became a unitary authority, independent of Cheshire County Council.

The Mayor of Halton for 2023-24, Cllr Val Hill, will officially launch the start of the 50^th anniversary on New Year’s Eve lighting the bridges gold and a new year’s message.

This gold bridges will then become the constant display for the year, only changing for charity days, world events and commemorations, such as remembrance.

Cllr Hill said: “It is a real honour and a privilege to launch Halton’s 50^th anniversary celebrations. Our towns and parishes have such a rich heritage and so much has been achieved in our borough since 1974, that there is certainly plenty to celebrate.

“Halton is all about its community, which is why we want as many residents, businesses and voluntary groups as possible to be able to get involved with the activities throughout the year, to enjoy the events, and to benefit from the opportunities offered by the grant funding.

“As we head into a new year and to the next 50 years of Halton, let us appreciate all that we have done together over the years, and look ahead to a bright future with so much still to come in this great borough of ours.”