We Are Pompey: News editor Mark Waldron backs the city of culture bid, saying 'we are ready for it'
Meet the people backing Portsmouth’s City of Culture Bid
Portsmouth is bidding to become the 2029 City of Culture. Here we meet one of the people in the city backing the bid - and find out why Portsmouth is so special to them.
Mark Waldron - Editor-in-Chief, The News
Mark grew up just outside of Portsmouth, his family moving to Cowplain when he was three months old after his dad secured a civil service job within the naval base. After completing his journalism studies at what was then Highbury College (which included work experience at The News in Hilsea and Havant) his reporting career took him away from the city until he returned as editor of The News in September 2007. As editor in chief today, he remains committed to celebrating and supporting all that is positive about Portsmouth.
Why Mark is backing the bid
He said: “Portsmouth deserves it and earns it due to its fantastic cultural history and the creative spirit that's alive in this city at the moment. So one, we're up for it. We're ready for it.
“But I think the key thing for me is what would this mean for the city? And I think there's three big areas here. One is all those creative and cultural types in the city. This gives them the chance to have a real showcase, to show people what they're up to and the the breadth and the depth of creative talent we've got in this city.
“I think for the people of Portsmouth, I think it would expose them to that talent and give them maybe fresh opportunities to enjoy cultural experiences across the city, but also for the people outside the city. I think this really would put Portsmouth on the map as a main cultural destination.”
Portsmouth in three words: People, pride and passion
Best view of Portsmouth?
He said: “There are so many great views of Portsmouth, but I think the best one for me is actually not being in Portsmouth. It's being out on the water.
“I think if you come into Portsmouth on a ferry, you can encapsulate Portsmouth in a very short journey where you see the sweep of the beach, the piers, the castle, the war memorial, and you come round into the round tower and Hot Walls into the old Portsmouth, and then into the new, with Spinnaker Tower and Commonwealth Quays, and then round into the naval base.
“And I think that stretch of water there really sums up, what Portsmouth is all about in all its glory.”