Skip to main content

bideford logo

Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall on Tuesday 8th March 2022 at 6.00 pm

 

PRESENT:

East Ward:

Councillor Mrs J Gubb (Chairman)

South Ward:

Councillors Mrs S Langford
Councillor P Lawrence
Councillor S Inch

North Ward:

Councillor D Bushby

West Ward:

Councillor C Hawkins

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield, Town Clerk’s Asst
Mr Jim Weeks – Town Crier
Mr Mike Harper - Piper

073.     TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE

No apologies had been received.

074.     TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

075.     PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

There were no members of the public in attendance.

076.     MINUTES

Proposed by Councillor Bushby and seconded by Councillor Mrs Langford, the minutes of the meeting held on 18th January 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

077.     TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON ORGANISING THE CELEBRATIONS FOR HM THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE.

The Chairman asked the Clerk to update members.

The Clerk reported that a change to the Beacon Lighting time had been sent through from the Queen’s Pageant Master, which is why the Town Cryer and the Piper had been invited to attend this meeting. The difference in timing was half an hour which could make a difference to the set times for the band. She added that a bugler was now required to play “Majesty” before the lighting of the bonfire. She asked members how they wished to proceed.

Members all agreed that the fireworks could be brought forward. This would work well because people would already be outside for the Beacon lighting, it would also ensure that the fireworks did not run past 11pm. There was some discussion about 10pm being dark enough, and it was agreed to continue with that time. The band would then start their second set at 10.15pm and play until the end – 11pm.
The Clerk would draw up a revised timetable.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Gubb (Chairman), seconded by Councillor Hawkins and

Agreed by all that Standing Orders are suspended to allow Mr Jim Weeks (Town Cryer) and Mr Mike Harper (Piper) to speak on this agenda item.

The Chairman asked the gentlemen for their thoughts on the change to the timings. Both Mr Weeks and Mr Harper were happy with the changes and would be happy to accommodate where required. Mr Weeks suggested speaking with the Town Band for two buglers (rather than one) and the Clerk agreed to contact the Band Secretary. Mr Harper informed members that the Youth Pipes and Drums would be available to play during the evening if required.

Mr Harper further added that he had, at a previous Jubilee, played pipes from the Town Hall Balcony. Councillor Bushby commended the idea and said it would be a great spectacle as it does not happen very often. He added that the Mayor could say a few words and perhaps the Town Cryer could make a proclamation.
The Clerk said she would put the idea to the Town Clerk.

Mr Harper enquired as to whether the Youth Pipes and Drums would be required to lead the procession in the morning of 2nd June, to Victoria Park. Members thanked him and agreed that this would be the traditional way to lead the party to Victoria Park.

Both Mr Weeks and Mr Harper requested leave of the meeting.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Hawkins and

Agreed by all that the meeting returns to Standing Orders.

The Clerk advised members that she had been having extreme difficulty in contacting Sonic Fireworks and was growing concerned after emailing and telephoning both the business number and the mobile number. Time was moving on, she explained, and she was no further forward and could not submit a licence application to TDC until a site visit had been made.
Councillor Bushby agreed to try calling them and if he had no response, he would look at alternative Firework companies.

The Clerk concluded that she had been working with South West Event Management on the organising of Bideford Fair and that bookings were coming in. The attractions that require payment will be carried out through the Clerk to avoid confusion and to keep within the budget for the event.

078.     TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE CREAM TEA EVENT FOR 2022

Councillor Lawrence announced that a new sponsor had been secured for a favourable sum.

The Clerk apologised to members that she and Chris Farris had been working on various advertising projects which had tight deadlines on them and had not progressed further with the Cream Tea event.
She had since, however, sat down with Chris and put together a promotions strategy and asked Councillor Bushby if he would be willing to find a friend/colleague from Cornwall to progress the “scone-off – jam first or cream first”. He agreed to this. She explained that following this, to keep the campaign “alive” they would organise further events inlcuding a Poll for favourite type of scone and a competition.

The Clerk asked the Chairman if she would be willing to be the “face” for the event which would involve radio interviews etc. The Chairman agreed. Councillor Lawrence said there would be promtion on Sound Wave Radio.

The Clerk had looked at week commencing 28th March as a starting point.

079.     TO AGREE AN ALTERNATIVE DATE FOR CHUDLEIGH PICNIC

The Chairman advised members that Bideford Regatta had been moved to the original date for Chudleigh Picnic ie Saturday 3rd September. She asked for a new date.
Members discussed whether a Sunday would be suitable, as dates in August would be booked up, also people were more likely to be on holiday during August.
A date of Sunday 4th September was suggested and agreed.

The Clerk would circulate the new date to East the Water Councillors and speak with the Pannier Pantry about picnics.
Councillor Bushby would contact Hockings in order to have an ice cream van on site. The format would be similar to 2021.

080.     TO DISCUSS IDEAS FOR FUTURE EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES

The Chairman pointed out to members that after Chudleigh Picnic there was nothing more planned for the remainder of the year to March end 2023.

Councillor Hawkins suggested looking at a website called Days of the Year which could give some ideas for events.

Other ideas that members discussed were:

• a German Market using the full length of the Quay and Jubilee Square
• an Antique/Vintage Fayre
• Bideford’s Got Talent – in the Pannier Market

081.     DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 26th April 2022 at 6.00pm. The Clerk would contact members regarding meetings for Jubilee.

 

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.00 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


♦Delivering the information you need about our decision making processes and supporting community participation in local democracy♦

♦ Helping to make the beautiful Town of Bideford a better place to live and work in! ♦


Bideford - A Fairtrade Town


fairtrade & Living Wage employers

Fairtrade is about equitable pricing, good work conditions, sustainability and fair trading for farmers and workers in the developing world. Bideford is a registered Fairtrade Town - Support local and world farmers - look for the fairtrade logo on your shopping items.

Visit the site...

facebook twitter instagram

Coach friendly

 

© Bideford Town Council 2015 Gingerweb Ltd site design and SEO In North Devon