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Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on 12th September 2017 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:
Councillor S Robinson
Councillor Mrs R Craigie

North Ward:
Councillor D Bushby
Councillor D McGeough (arrived later after assisting the public during a town incident)

South Ward (Outer):
Councillor D Howell (Chairman)

IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs Ruth Benney – Atlantic Village TIC
Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield (Town Clerk’s Asst)

031 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor J McKenzie – (East Ward), personal.

032 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

033 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

There were no members of the public present.

034 MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 4 July 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

035 SCHOOL CHOIRS CONCERT UPDATE

The Chairman explained that it was looking unlikely that we could progress further with this item as these appeared to be difficulty with either taking pupils out of school time and/or having the school choirs perform outside of school time.

He further added that it may be a subject to re-visit in the future.

036 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF KINGSLEY SCHOOL MAKING A PROMOTIONAL VIDEO OF BIDEFORD EVENTS

Councillor McKenzie, whilst absent, had left a message that he has organised a post-production suite and an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and competent team who are waiting to process any stills/video in a montage.

He had further started a social media page to try to gather material for the team without much success.

As it stands, the hard/expensive part is taken care of, all that is needed is the footage.

Members discussed the need for footage in the form of photographs and video. The Chairman said that whilst we were coming out of the best of the season we could still try to take photographs and video of events. Networking with other groups was needed.

The Vintage Fair would be taking place on 24 September in the Pannier Market, the Chairman suggested speaking with the organiser to arrange footage of the event. He added that he and the Clerk would put something together to request items for making into a film.

037 REVIEW BIDEFORD FAIR AND DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE EVENT

On the whole, members had received good feedback. Councillor Bushby stated that to get all the participants from this year and more would make for a bigger, better Fair next year.

The Chairman said he would invite this year’s participants to join in next year. He added that it would be good to get in touch with others early in order to get them booked before other events have got there first. He suggested the last Saturday in June – 30th June 2018 and would take on arranging insurance and obtaining a licence.

He concluded by asking members to bring different ideas and/or booked acts to each meeting before Christmas in order to build on the Fair.

Suggestions from members were: Dr Wilson’s Balloon Rides, Using the Gym equipment in the park for a family challenge (approaching one of the coaches from the rowing clubs), ferret racing.

038 TO DISCUSS THE PROGRAMME FOR A 2/3 NIGHT VISIT AND SUPPORT FOR A PRESS WEEKEND.

The Chairman felt that it was possibly too late for this year as it was hoped to be able to run this in early December. The Clerk said she would get in touch with the local press to get a temperature of when would be a good time.

The Chairman explained that the weekend would be structured using local accommodation providers and eateries. This would be over the period of Friday night, Saturday day and night, Sunday until after lunch.
Councillor Robinson suggested a parking voucher for them to be parked for the weekend at no expense or a special rate for the whole period. Councillor Craigie suggested that the Intagr8 community minibus be used as transport for the weekend with a qualified psv driver.

The Chairman suggested that the idea would be targeted at adults with time to take a short break (whether weekend or mid week) at short notice. With this in mind the weekend could be structured around adult attractions, introducing one or two of our successful local holiday providers to speak and promote the area.

The Chairman concluded stating that as soon as a date could be set, the organising could be started.

039 TO DISCUSS CO-OPTING OUTSIDE MEMBERS ONTO THE TOURISM COMMITTEE

Members discussed the possibility of introducing some of the more obvious candidates to join the Committee. Mrs Benney explained that because those in hospitality are working all year (especially if they have more than one outlet) time outside of work is precious and most of these business men and women would prefer not to be spending free time in meetings about what they do!

It was suggested then, that perhaps invite a guest speaker or speakers to meetings to talk about how they see the progress of the tourist trade in Bideford and surrounding areas.

Several names were suggested that could be approached.

040 TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF A JOINT TOURISM & MARKET COMMITTEE VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET. DISCUSS CONTENT OF SUCH A MARKET.

The Chairman opened discussion about the possibility of a Victorian Christmas Market to be held in the Pannier Market. Members were favourable towards the idea. The idea of a German market was touched upon although most members felt that these were less popular. The Chairman explained that as they were pop-up style markets it would be foolhardy to use them especially when we have a covered market of our own.

Members discussed the various forms of entertainment ie stilt-walkers, hot chestnut stand, a hog-roast. Punch and Judy. Music from The Fremington Singers and Bideford Town Band, carols from Torridge Male Voice Choir.

Councillor Craigie explained that there could be a problem in that there was a Christmas event “Winter Wonderland” scheduled for December. But she would endeavour to raise the subject of a Victorian Christmas at the next Market Management meeting, Councillor McGeough said he would assist. The Chairman asked Councillor Craigie if she could find out more about the event, as he was keen to put on a Victorian Christmas on more than one date.

Councillor Craigie further suggested that the Victorian Christmas could be combined with Signing of the Lease.

The Chairman concluded that the outcome of the Market Management meeting would be awaited.

Councillor Bushby asked if he might raise the subject of a Road Train, similar to the one in Ilfracombe. Leader funding could be available for this project which could be a massive enhancement to Bideford. She further explained that they are not cheap, usually in the region of £200k for an engine that could tackle our hills.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Bushby and agreed to put the Road Train onto the next Tourism Committee agenda.

041 DATE OF NEXT MEETING.

The next scheduled date for the Tourism Committee to meet will be Tuesday 7 November 2017 at 6pm in Council Chamber.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.55pm.


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