The community-led Ramsey Area Partnership (RAP) was established in autumn 2003, its vision being to improve the quality of life for all who live, work and visit Ramsey and its parishes.

Following a “healthcheck” of the area carried out on behalf of the Partnership, a series of aims and objectives were drawn up, together with an action plan.

HDC’s Arts Service, together with colleagues in other departments, is working towards the RAP vision in a series of strategic projects over a 3-year period.  The Arts Service’s current work is mostly based on the Ramsey Local Heritage Initiative, although we are focussing other arts activities in the area, too, such as The Big Draw in October.

Funded entirely by a £25,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the LHI work has several strands, including:

• Ramsey from A – Z – a 6-month community project led by artist Ricki Outis exploring the town’s heritage, leading to the creation of a unique piece of art to be displayed in the town (see linked documents for details of our “meet the artist” day)
• Ramsey Heritage Day – the provision of a printed information leaflet and marketing support for the day (see linked documents on the right for a copy)
• Heritage Trail leaflet – a new leaflet giving information on the area’s distinctive heritage features, which will be identified through the A - Z
• Archaeological Finds Roadshows – the chance for people to discover exactly what they have dug up in their gardens
• Landscape & Wildlife events – get to know more about the natural heritage
• Interpretation sites – site-specific information points for residents and visitors

These projects are happening in partnership with colleagues from HDC and other organisations, and people from the Ramsey communities.

Future plans include the provision of public art works as part of the environmental improvements taking place in the town, and a year-round programme of arts activities.