Article Source: Paisley 2021
Last Updated: 1 July 2017 15:25
A bid to bring the world’s largest celebration of Gaelic language and culture back to Paisley has been lodged - for what would be one of the centrepieces of the town’s potential UK City of Culture 2021 year.
Paisley is bidding for the Royal National Mòd in four years time – with the town’s one previous staging of the event in 2013 being the second-largest in the event’s history.
Renfrewshire Council has already ring-fenced a budget of £185,000 plus substantial extra in-kind support to cover hosting costs – with the event expected to bring thousands of visitors and a seven-figure economic boost to the area.
Bid bosses believe Paisley’s central location, excellent transport links, unique venues and established major event track record will add up to another successful Mòd. If the town was named UK City of Culture 2021, the Mòd would be key to that year’s programme of events.
Paisley’s Mòd 2021 bid will be handed in at the Inverness offices of event organisers An Comunn Gaidhealach on Friday by the chair of the local organising committee, Gordon MacLennan.
Gordon – also the chief executive of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport – was joined at Paisley Gilmour Street station to see the bid off by vice-chair,
Provost Lorraine Cameron, members of the Renfrewshire schools pipe band, and some of top trad band Skerryvore, who are backing Paisley’s Mòd bid.
He said: “We would be absolutely thrilled if An Comun were to bring the Mòd back to Paisley in 2021, and believe we have put together a very strong bid.
“The last – and only – Mòd held here in 2013 attracted 8,000 people over nine days and delivered a £1.4m economic impact, and Paisley was very well received as a location by visitors from across Scotland.
“Aside from our unique venues, such as Paisley Town Hall and Abbey, our transport links are second-to-none – with an international airport on our doorstep, easy access to the motorway, and Paisley Gilmour Street station being Scotland’s fourth-busiest, handling five million passengers a year and a train to Glasgow every eight minutes.”
Provost Cameron added: “Renfrewshire is committed to the development of the Gaelic language, with a five-figure annual investment in arts programming, Gaelic language plan, and more than 1,500 local people with Gaelic language skills.
“We have also invested in the next generation, with our annual Fèis Phàislig music festival having seen around 700 local young people engaged in Gaelic and traditional music, with musicians visiting 27 local primary schools this year alone.
“The area also has a strong record of supporting traditional music, with many trad acts featuring on the bill for our annual Spree festival in October, and the MG Alba Scottish Trad Awards coming to Paisley for the first time this December.
“We want to build on that by hosting another successful Mòd whether we win the Uk City of Culture title or not.”
Martin Gillespie – a founder member of Skerryvore, in Paisley last year as a Spree headliner – added: “I have a long association with the Mòd – myself and my brother competed in several when we were young – so it’s an event that means a lot to me.
“It’s good to see such a strong bid coming from a place in the central belt as that would help open up the event to new audiences.
“We played Paisley Town Hall last year – it would make a great main venue for Mòd competition and there’s no doubt the town would be a good host.”
Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 is part of a wider push to transform the town’s future using heritage, culture and events and the Uk Government is expected to announce the shortlist for the next stage of the competition over the summer.
For more information, visit paisley2021.co.uk
Top Dogs is back! Dog lovers invited to come and have a fun day out with their four-legged family members.
READ MOREBritain's biggest independent craft brewer, BrewDog is giving beer lovers a chance to 'Drink Beer, Win Cash' with the return of its Cash Cans scavenger hunt this Spring.
READ MOREEuropean Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival saw thousands of people turn out to sample some fantastic produce and street food from across Scotland at the weekend.
READ MOREDementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.
READ MOREIt's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.
READ MOREGlasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.
READ MOREA spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORENational Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORETouring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MOREAldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MOREThe first opening road bridge across the River Clyde is a step closer to completion as the first section of the Renfrew Bridge has arrived in Renfrewshire.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MORERunners in Renfrewshire are set to benefit from a new running track at the On-X Sports Centre in Linwood after a contract was approved by councillors.
READ MOREACCORD Hospice is pleased to announce the return of its annual art exhibition to The Art Department in Paisley between the 26th of April and 10th May.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREDuring the Easter holidays, hundreds of kids across Renfrewshire have enjoyed free school holiday activity camps.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREThe Paisley 10k and Fun Run will see thousands taking to the streets when the event returns to the town on Sunday 18th August, 2024.
READ MOREEnvironmentally conscious individuals are being asked to volunteer for a new community taskforce to help protect Renfrewshire's rich riverbank habitats.
READ MOREPaisley's Spring Farmyard Trail is coming to Paisley town centre from Friday the 29th of March until Monday 15th of April.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREGP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"