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http://www.middlesbrough-council.com/
The mayor said: “This campaign has brought out the very best in the town and its people, and that can only stand it in good stead. A key theme of this bid is that it was for and by the people – their contributions and support were central to the case that Middlesbrough is already a city at heart.
“This is a town that feels and acts like a city, and can deliver the opportunities that any city can deliver.”
and there's moreCity Status bid successful.
March 15, 2012 by rocklifferover
Yes, you read that right. The City Status bid achieved its aim. It got Ray Mallon re-elected again!
In todays Gazette, (tucked away on page 4) Ray tells us that the bid was ‘by and for the people’. He doesn’t say who these people were but, whoever it was ‘by’, it was ‘for’ his own political gain.
Read more http://bettermiddlesbrough.wordpress.co ... uccessful/
Middlesbrough 'a city at heart' says mayor
by Sandy McKenzie, Evening Gazette Mar 15 2012
MIDDLESBROUGH has missed out for a third time on gaining city status.
But the borough’s mayor Ray Mallon says Middlesbrough has its focus firmly on the future and was “a true city at heart”.
City status to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee has been granted to Chelmsford in Essex, Perth in Scotland and St Asaph in Wales. Armagh in Northern Ireland had been granted a lord mayoralty.
Middlesbrough was among more than 20 UK towns seeking city status. It emerged as one of the bookmakers’ favourite to win the accolade.
But, as in 2000 and 2002, Middlesbrough’s bid was unsuccessful.
Those behind the latest campaign say the town and the area as a whole have gained from the competition, and the work will stand Middlesbrough in good stead for the future.
Mr Mallon said: “We might not have gained city status this time around, but no one can have been left in any doubt over Middlesbrough’s ambition for the future.
“This a town with its focus firmly on that future – a true city at heart.”
Middlesbrough’s campaign cost around £10,000.
The mayor said: “This campaign has brought out the very best in the town and its people, and that can only stand it in good stead. A key theme of this bid is that it was for and by the people – their contributions and support were central to the case that Middlesbrough is already a city at heart.
“This is a town that feels and acts like a city, and can deliver the opportunities that any city can deliver.”
Middlesbrough’s campaign was launched by schoolchildren in March 2011, with the formal 25-page bid document submitted in May.
Claire Wordsworth, from the bid team, paid tribute to the enthusiasm shown by people, including the hundreds of youngsters who wrote to the Queen telling her what city status would mean to them.
Many businesses and organisations provided sponsorship and offered their services free of charge. Nearly 7,000 people joined lovemiddlesbrough on Facebook and Twitter and hundreds contributed to the campaign.
Claire said: “The support we had has been fantastic and has come from every part of our community, from political leaders and stars in many fields to members of the public.”
Lovemiddlesbrough young ambassador Tommy Dunn, who is also a Middlesbrough College student and community radio DJ, said: “Of course it’s disappointing to fall at the final hurdle, but for the thousands of people who backed a vibrant and creative campaign, this is by no means an ending or a failure.”
Middlesbrough MP Sir Stuart Bell, said: “I am seriously disappointed that Middlesbrough does not have the same status as Newcastle and Sunderland.
“The Tees Valley deserves better but we shall all continue to work to build up the town, improve employment prospects and give our people a sense of pride and well-being.”
Tom Blenkinsop, MP for Middlesbrough South and east Cleveland, said the decision was a deliberate snub by the Government to hard working and honest Middlesbrough.
He said: “I don’t want to upset the locals in those places that gained this status, but I do have to say that ennobling a town that is essentially a suburb of East London, and a small settlement of 3,000-odd people whose only claim to fame seems to be being the birthplace of Liverpool footballer Ian Rush looks weird when placed against Middlesbrough.”
BBC presenter Steph McGovern said it was a shame her home town had not won city status.
“Middlesbrough has so much going for it and really deserves the recognition. But we’re used to the knock-backs and will power on like we usually do. I think we have a lot to be proud of and no matter what official title we have, the most important title Middlesbrough has to me is ‘home’,” she said.
Middlesbrough girl and Spanish TV football pundit Kay Murray said: “I’m absolutely gutted that we didn’t gain city status but Middlesbrough is a wonderful town which will always be defined by the spirit and strength of its locals with or without the status.”
Read More http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teess ... -30543720/
