Local MPs Pledge Support for Dorset Art Weeks 2006

2.44.59pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th May 2006

Local MP Annette Brooke, has initiated Parliamentary support from fellow Dorset MPs for the arts festival held every two years in Dorset to celebrate the huge talent across the county in the field of art, design and creative arts.

Annette Brooke aimed to gain further recognition for this year's Art Weeks, by tabling an Early Day Motion in Parliament to congratulate the organisers, celebrate the artists and promote "access to arts". She has secured support from other Dorset MPs including Oliver Letwin, John Butterfill, Robert Syms and Tobias Ellwood.

Commenting on the eve of the festival of art, Annette Brooke said:

"I am delighted to pledge my support for all the participants of Dorset Art Weeks 2006 and to the organisers who do so much to promote the excellent work of the many talented artists across the county.

"Over the next couple of weeks, I very much hope to pop in to as many of the exhibitors from Mid Dorset and North Poole as possible to see the creative work of my constituents, and I hope that residents from all over the county will make the most of this excellent opportunity to see and support so many local artists."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

EDM 2241

DORSET ART WEEKS 2006

23.05.2006

Brooke, Annette

13 signatures

Butterfill, John

Campbell, Gregory

Corbyn, Jeremy

Crausby, David

Cryer, Ann

Ellwood, Tobias

Hancock, Mike

Hoyle, Lindsay

Letwin, Oliver

McDonnell, John

Spink, Bob

Syms, Robert

That this House congratulates the organisers of Dorset Art Weeks 2006, held from 27th May to 11th June, which gives many artists in Dorset the opportunity to exhibit their art and celebrates the amount of diverse and exciting art being created across the county; celebrates the 14th year of this annual event which has grown from strength to strength since 1992, now exhibiting the work of nearly 1,000 artists, art groups and societies at over 362 venues from Lyme Regis to Christchurch over 16 days; notes the encouragement that this week gives to artists, amateur and professional alike, as well as the promotion of access to art for the public; thanks all the local authorities, county, unitary, district, borough, town and parish councils, and the Arts Council England for the financial support necessary to make the Art Weeks a success.