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Left to right: Lois Taylor (Cultural Champion and dancer), Colin Tweedy (Chief Executive of Arts and Business), Paul Giblin (Phonic FM Director, Respect Co-ordinator and Curtural Champion), Ben Bradshaw MP (Culture Secretary), Gillian Dale (Director of Dance in Devon). |
By Jenna Richards
Paul Giblin, one of Phonic FM’s five Directors, became one of the UK’s first Cultural Champions at a ceremony at Exeter Cathedral.
Paul was nominated by Dance in Devon for his work on Exeter Respect Festival, the city’s celebration of diversity, which he has co-ordinated since 2003.
The South West is the first region to take part on this scheme run by the national Arts and Business organisation. Thirty-two individuals who come from Bournemouth to Cornwall have been honoured.
Paul was delighted to receive the accolade.
“It was lovely to have an official thank you for what is essentially a labour of love,” he said.
Adding: “I, in turn, would like to thank everyone else who has worked so hard over the years to make Exeter Respect such a success.”
Culture Secretary and MP for Exeter, Ben Bradshaw, attended the ceremony and paid tribute to all those being recognised.
“As Culture Secretary, I have been privileged to see at first-hand the incredible contribution that people in communities across the UK make to the cultural life of the nation,” he said.
“Without the profound generosity and commitment of donors, volunteers and supporters up and down the country, the arts – and all of our lives - would be much the poorer.
“It is right that we should celebrate these Cultural Champions, and I am delighted that the first region to host this event is the South West.
“I offer my thanks and congratulations to all those being recognised today.”
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