Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall on Tuesday 5th September 2023 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:

Councillor Mrs J Gubb (Chairman)
Councillor J Hellyer

South Ward:

Councillor S Inch

North Ward:

Councillor D Bushby

West Ward:

Councillor C Hawkins

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield, Town Clerk’s Asst
1 x member of the public

024. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Councillor Lawrence (South Ward) - personal.

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

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

026. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

There were no members of the public in attendance.

027. MINUTES

Proposed by Councillor S Inch and seconded by Councillor Bushby, the minutes of the meeting held on 18th July 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0, Abstentions: 1)

028. TO DE-BRIEF ON BIDEFORD’S GOT TALENT AND LOOK AT WAYS TO IMPROVE FOR NEXT YEAR.

Members agreed that the event was very successful and that it would go ahead again next year. They did feel that there were areas for improvement; being:

• Discuss bar provision
• Discuss categories for contestants
• Find costs for erecting baffles for the sound
• Discuss layout for judges
• Look at ways to sharpen up the backdrop and elevate the stage area

029. TO DE-BRIEF ON CHUDLEIGH PICNIC AND DISCUSS WHETHER TO CONTINUE WITH THE EVENT NEXT YEAR

The Chairman was very pleased with the way the Picnic ran this year noting that it was a nice relaxing afternoon. The weather had been perfect and the North Devon Hog Roast was very popular and a great improvement from the Ploughmans. She estimated that there were around 200 people attended and that nearly 200 had lunch.

She added that the Burton Art Box was very popular and noted that there were fewer small children this year which meant that the FacePainter was not quite so busy and not so many ice creams were sold. The East the Water in Bloom did well with their Plant Sale and the Laser Tag was popular. The Twinners enjoyed themselves too.
Soundwave did a great job and were broadcasting live, and SwissMiss bakes provided free teas and coffees and was happy to have virtually sold out of cakes.

Councillor Inch pointed out that it was good to have the portable toilets on site although it was a bit of a walk up and down the hill to get to them. He added that it was the only place for them though as it was the original site of toilet block and was relatively flat.

The Chairman was somewhat disappointed that there was a lack of Councillors to help with setting up and dismantling the event but Councillor Inch thanked Mr Michael Gubb for staying on site and lending a hand.

Careful advertising of the event would need to be discussed if the event is to be held in 2024. Members discussed that the size of the event as it is need not be increased too much more but that there needs to be a way of communicating the event to the residents. Councillor Bushby suggested A-Boards and look at purchasing generic banners that could be put on the roundabout at the top of Torridge Lane.

030. TO DISCUSS FURTHER PLANS FOR CELEBRATING THE 450TH CHARTER ANNIVERSARY

The Clerk was pleased to inform members that she had booked Prof Mark Horton for the Anniversary Charter Presentation on Elizabethan Bideford for Saturday 16th December, who had waived his fee but would appreciate a contribution to fuel expenses for travelling.
Further, she had taken advice on a ticket price which could be between £5 and £8. Members discussed this, together with attendance numbers, refreshments, a quiz in the interval and generally what the event would be offering.
Members agreed on the following:

• Ticket price £5
• Raffle tickets to go on sale
• A written quiz in the interval
• Start time 7pm – interval – second part of presentation to include questions (to be discussed with Prof Horton)
• Mayor and Civic officers in full regalia and regalia out for viewing, rooms to be open for viewing
• Wine, beer and perhaps mulled wine with bite-size nibbles, mince pies, teas and coffees

Councillor Bushby suggested looking at an audience of 50 – 60 but not to rule out going higher. The Clerk pointed out that it would be preferred not to use the balcony for safety reasons.

The Clerk would make a start on preparations.

031. TO DISCUSS D-DAY 80 ON 6TH JUNE 2024

The Clerk suggested to Members that the Port Memorial Decorative bed has a design for D-Day 80. Members agreed it would be the most appropriate design for 2024. The Clerk would obtain prices for the plants and design a backboard, keeping it simple. She would start the campaign to get names of those from Bideford involved in D-day landings.

The Clerk suggested a site meeting at Pollyfield Centre before the next Tourism meeting to discuss the event with the Trustees and to determine the condition of the Beacon. She would work on optional dates.

The Clerk had not, as yet contacted the Fish and Chips vendor, but would be in touch with them over the coming days. She had contacted both the Bideford Pipes and Drums, and Bideford Town Band regarding the event and was waiting a response from both.

Councillors Bushby and Lawrence would liaise regarding contacting the people who supply the Vintage War vehicles, with a view to inviting them to bring along a display.

032. TO DISCUSS UPDATES TO THE LITTLE AMERICA INFORMATION PANELS WHICH

The Clerk explained that this was a Tourism Committee led project initially, hence it was coming back to this Committee. She had circulated pictures of the two panels that need quite urgently updating. She would be happy take the project on as she had most of the information available to update the map and would re-work the events panel making it more generic.

Members preferred to replace the Events panel with something different as they considered that this was irrelevant on this Information board. Councillor J Hellyer suggested using something further from the Town Guide. The Clerk would bring updated designs and costings to the next meeting.

033. TO UPDATE AND DISCUSS IDEAS FOR UTILISING THE PANNIER MARKET HALL.

Members discussed items that had been brought up at the last Tourism Committee meeting.

Councillor Bushby was pleased to say that the Bideford Bike Show had booked a Winter Classic Bike Show in the Market Hall.

Ice Rink - The idea for an ice rink needs to be explored and Members were happy to find out more, suggesting that for a large part of December and into the New Year would be perfect.

Roller Skating – The Chairman had been advised that the surface was not suitable, Councillor Bushby suggested that the idea be re-visited.

Wedding Receptions – The Clerk advised that there was a Wedding Reception booked for the coming weekend.

Members discussed Annual events and a Christmas Party was suggested. This could be discussed further.

The Clerk suggested Pancake Day races and activities, as had been mooted some time ago. She would look into information that had been gathered previously.

Councillor Bushby raised the Cream Tea Festival or a Bake Off event. This could be discussed further at the next meeting.

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting would be held on Tuesday 2nd November 2023 at 6.00pm.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance. and the meeting concluded at 6.54 pm.