Sandwiched as Hedge End is between Southampton and Portsmouth, any thoughts on the recent announcement that the cities have not made it through on to the final shortlist of four in their joint-bid to be UK City of Culture in 2013?

The four cities through are Birmingham, Derry, Norwich and Sheffield and as well as these Southampton and Portsmouth were competing against entries from cities such as Durham and Swansea, as well as a bid from the county of Cornwall. 

The competition was launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport last July to build on the success of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture 2008. In acknowledgement of the long-standing rivalry between Southampton and Portsmouth football fans, the bid went in under the slogan of ‘P.S. I Love You’ to represent the ‘overwhelming love’ of the supporters for their respective clubs.

The bond between the two cities created by their links with the sea was a major focus in the bid, with both Southampton’s and Portsmouth’s list of theatres, galleries, festivals and famous citizens also contributing to get the bid through to a shortlist of 14, from which the final four have been chosen.

Margaret Hodge, Culture Minister, said, ‘I was very impressed with all fourteen bids and, for those not shortlisted, I would say take heart from what you’ve achieved and continue to work on creating a cultural offer which can be enjoyed by all and which will help to make your cities even more attractive places in which to live and work”. 

Gaining the title would have given a major boost to the area’s tourist industry and the cities the right to host national events such as the Brit Awards.

The cities can, however, bid to be the UK City of Culture 2017.

Portsmouth City Council’s Head of Culture and Leisure, Stephen Baily, has said ‘the bid has been extremely useful in developing cultural links between both cities. We will continue to develop this co-ordinated approach, including exploring the potential for a bid to become UK city of culture in 2017.'

So what do you think about Hedge End not being destined to be sandwiched between a joint UK City of Culture 2013?

Do you think Birmingham, Derry, Norwich and Sheffield are worthy short-list candidates?

The winning city will have to produce a significant programme of cultural activity and development that will provide a lasting benefit for the area.

Or do you think Southampton and Portsmouth would have made a better UK City of Culture 2013?

And any views on a joint bid for 2017?

Jim Linwood's photo of The Bargate Southampton is from Flickr.

The photo of Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower is by PhotoGraham from Flickr.