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Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Tuesday 28th March 2017 at 6.05 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:   
Councillor Mrs R Craigie

South Ward:   
Councillor R Wootton (substitute Councillor)
   
South Ward (Outer):   
Councillor D Howell (Chairman)
   
IN ATTENDANCE:   
Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield (Asst to Town Clerk)
Councillor P Christie

098   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mrs Ruth Benney (Atlantic Village TIC)

099   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of interest were made at this point.

100   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No members of the public were present.

101   MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th February 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote For: 3, Against: 0)

102   MAYOR’S FUNDRAISING CONCERT 1 APRIL 2017.

The Chairman announced that regrettably the Concert had been cancelled as he had left it a little too late to sell tickets.  He had, however, managed to find other ways to raise funds for his Charity.

103   LITTLE AMERICA SITE AND INFORMATION BOARD

The Chairman reported that the artwork for the boards was complete and that prices had come in for the refurbishing of the sign itself and printing the boards.
He advised members that he had received competitive prices from AP Signs (which included refurbishing the sign) and JAG (for just printing the boards and fitting). AP Signs had carried out work of this nature before; JAG had printed the Discovering Bideford signs and various other BTC signage.  He had also asked the Maintenance Team to look at the sign and give an estimate on cost and time for them to carry out the refurbishing work. 
The Clerk advised that the work would involve jetwashing and painting which would take not more than a day and the cost of the paint – approximately £20.

The Chairman asked members who they would prefer to use for the work.  Councillor Wootton suggested that JAG would be his preferred choice, purely because they were tried and tested and had carried out good work for the Council previously, and use the Maintenance Team for the refurbishing of the sign.

Proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town Clerk informs JAG that they have the contract and to arrange for the Maintenance Team to carry out refurbishing the sign as a matter of some urgency.  Ideally the project to be completed by Easter is possible. 
(Vote – For:  3, Against: 0)

104   SCHOOL CONCERTS.

The Chairman had met with the Headmaster of St Mary’s School and attended a Bideford Area School Choirs Concert at which 9 schools take part.  He said the event was very professional and enjoyable and had, unbeknown to him, been going for several years.  The Chairman suggested holding a similar event – with not quite so many schools – in the Pannier Market, on a Friday afternoon, towards the end of the school year.

He concluded that he would update further at the next meeting.

105   REFURBISHMENT WORK TO THE ART BRICKS.

The Chairman reported that work had commenced on the Art bricks and that the ones by the Otter on the Quay had been worked on.  One of them was so badly damaged it has had to be blanked off, the Clerk explained that a braille plaque would be put in its place, supporting the otter.

The Chairman advised that the Art brick that had been successfully refurbished looked very good. 

106   UPDATE ON ENQUIRIES WITH BIDEFORD COLLEGE ON THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE MAKING OF A VIDEO OF BIDEFORD EVENTS, TO BE USED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES ETC.

As Councillor McKenzie was not present, no report could be made.

107   UPDATE ON PROGRESS FOR MARKING THE OCCASION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE BIDEFORD APPLEDORE WESTWARD HO! RAILWAY CLOSURE IN 2017.

Councillor McKenzie was not present to give a report on progress. 

Councillor Christie informed members that the Bideford Archive would be celebrating the centenary with a display and perhaps it would be useful to combine with them.

The Chairman reminded members that this year, the flower bed would be a commemorative gravel bed and asked the Clerk for the progress.  She explained that the Maintenance Team were waiting for better weather before digging and back filling to stabilise the area.  She asked if members had any ideas where the Team could start assembling the gravel board, explaining that the site would need to be dry and ventilated.  None of the members could think of anywhere right at that moment but would let the Clerk know. 

108   ST MARGARET’S FAIR IN JULY 2017

The Chairman reported that good progress was being made with the preparations for the Fair.  The licence had been applied for and passed, he was just waiting for the licence itself.

He gave members a list of acts and events that had been discussed.  The list comprised those who had confirmed their attendance and some that had yet to be arranged.  But all members agreed that excellent progress had been made and that the day was going to be filled with something for everyone.

The Chairman asked Councillor Christie about liaising with the Exeter Guild of Weavers, Shearers and Tuckers regarding a sheep-drive across Long Bridge.  This had been done some years ago and had been hugely successful.  Councillor Craigie suggested that the Guild may be able to assist with other associated attractions ie weaving or shearing.

Councillor Craigie asked about advertising the event, the Chairman explained that posters were being designed and would be ready soon, and that he would start with social media.  The Clerk said she would put the bare bones onto the Council website.

The Chairman said the event would be called the Bideford Fair, Celebrating St Margaret’s Day and would be opened by the Mayor at 10.30am and finish at 4.00pm.

109   TASTE OF TORRIDGE FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL

The Chairman invited the Clerk to update on her progress with this event. 

The clerk reminded members that the date was Sunday 20th August 2017.  She reported that she had sent out the stall application forms with a deadline of the end of April.  She had three firm attendees so far which included cooking fish and demonstrations, dairy produce with an interactive study for children on where milk comes from and the processes to make different products, and a farming butcher with a hog roast. 

She explained that she would be speaking to Torridge regarding a licence, also speaking to the Town Marshall about deploying the Cadets to assist with marshalling at the event.  She would update further at the next meeting.

110   DATE OF NEXT MEETING.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be scheduled for Tuesday 25 April 2017 at 6.00 pm in the Council Chamber.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.50 pm.


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