COUNTY-BASED crafts industries have received a considerable boost in the past twelve months, with significant European and regional funding being secured.

An overview of exactly what the Creative Industries program within Herefordshire Council has achieved was published last week as part of the annual report for the past financial year.

Herefordshire Council's cultural services manager, Natalia Silver said: "It has been a challenging and exciting year with an exciting range of initiatives".

Innovations

Over sixty applications were received for the Innovation and Development fund with project budgets averaging £5,600 and local artists really feeling the opportunity:

"Without the fund, I would not have been able to afford the risk," said ceramic artist Simon Carroll.

Funding applications have been submitted to forward a project involving the development of the first floor of Hereford Station. It would establish a base for creative industries with studio space, a showcase area and training room following a consultative forum to assess capital needs.

Flicks in the Sticks, Herefordshire Art Week and the Borderlines Film Festival all came under the auspices of the program along with the Contemporary Craft Fair, Creative Breaks and MediaDev - a training division set up vision within the established Rural Media Company.

Copies of the Creative Industries annual report and 2003/4 brochure of opportunities are available on 01432 383063 or by visiting www.creativeherefordshire.co.uk