Town Council applies for City Status
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
Traditionally ‘City Status’ in England and Wales was given to Towns with diocesan cathedrals. However, since the 20th Centaury that rule was removed in favour for a more varied criteria, which include population, historic relevance.
This means that Dorchester’s recent ‘City Status’ application maybe in with a chance.
To mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012 the Queen following recommendations from her ministers, will award one City title, out of a bunch of, as yet un-named hopefuls.
You may recall back in 2000 she awarded city status to 3 Towns (out of 39), to mark her Golden Jubilee. They included; Wolverhampton, Brighton & Hove and Inverness.
On 18 December 2000, Wolverhampton, along with Brighton and Hove and Inverness, won the right to call themselves cities, and just over a month later received their official letters patent.
The benefits of being a City
Whilst there are no extra royal or governmental privileges for becoming a city. Dorchester may find that an economic uplift due to the extra publicity.