More than 400,000 people took part in Lewisham’s stint as London Borough of Culture

More than 400,000 people took part in Lewisham’s year as London Borough of Culture.

An impact report on the events which included music, dance and sculpture found nine out of 10 schools in the south London borough got involved.

It said 436,294 took part in person with a digital audience of 474,657 involved in the events, which drew in more than £4 million of inward investment.

Mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan said the year had been “unforgettable”.

He said: “More than 400,000 people took part, and together we hosted over 600 brilliant events right across Lewisham, from Deptford to Downham, in our venues, libraries, parks and high streets.

“More than 8,000 young people were supported with training and careers advice to access jobs in the creative sector. Our businesses benefited as people rediscovered their local area or visited for the first time, and the spotlight was on the culture and creativity that exists in every corner of Lewisham like never before.

“But most of all, we will remember it for the moments our communities came together and had a great time. 2022 was just the beginning and we’re looking forward to continuing to make the most of the connections made and lessons learned and our renewed ambition for culture in Lewisham.”

Croydon is the next borough of culture with one of the composers chosen to celebrate the King’s coronation involved in the programme.

Tarik O’Regan, who went to school in Croydon, worked on the Oratorio for Hope which will be performed at the opening event.

It is inspired by verse written by the borough’s first ever Poet Laureate Shaniqua Benjamin with the music based on a theme by the Grammy-nominated O’Regan.

He said: “I spent the first 18 years of my life in Croydon, so I’m absolutely delighted to be reunited with the borough where my family still lives! The Oratorio of Hope is an amazing endeavour, and I’m honoured to have contributed the musical theme which ties the whole project together, but allows space for the richness and diversity of the various wonderful participants to be heard in their own unique voices.”

Croydon’s turn as Borough of Culture, following in the footsteps of places including Waltham Forest, runs for a year from April.

Its programme includes a heritage trail celebrating local musical talent, a play about pioneering black composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and  a celebration of half-a-century of hip-hop.