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Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall on Tuesday 31st January 2023 at 6.00 pm
 
 
PRESENT:
 
East Ward:
 
Councillor Mrs J Gubb (Town Mayor)
 
South Ward:
 
Councillors Mrs S Langford
Councillor S Inch (Chairman)
 
North Ward:
 
Councillor D Bushby
 
West Ward:
 
Councillor C Hawkins
 
IN ATTENDANCE:
 
Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield, Town Clerk’s Asst
 
 
051.   TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
 
There were no apologies.
 
052.   TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
 
No declarations were received at this part of the meeting.
 
053.   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
 
There were no members of the public in attendance.
  
054.   MINUTES
 
Proposed by Councillor Lawrence and seconded by Councillor Bushby, the minutes of the meeting held on 7th December 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.  
 
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
 
055.   TO DISCUSS AND UPDATE ON THE IDEA OF BIDEFORD’S GOT TALENT
 
The Clerk explained that she had not got any further with this and that she could do with some guidance on the mechanism for people to apply, how the elimination process would work and a steer on getting a cash prize.
 
Councillor Bushby explained how it had worked at the Conservative Club.  
 
• After the press release has gone out, hopefully applicants will be in contact.
• Need to get their name, telephone number, email address and what they will be performing
• If music is involved we will need to get the song or piece – and the correct one that the applicant wants
• Free entry for applicants
• Closing date would be required.
• Rehearsals 14th July in Pannier Market
• The Show 21st July in Pannier Market
 
Other points discussed were staging.  Councillor Bushby explained that there is a small stage at the Pannier Market and it may be possible to get the other two pieces to make it a bigger stage should it be required.  This would be on the proviso that those two pieces are available.  This would all be dependent upon what sort of performances come through.  
 
Councillor Bushby noted that a Karaoke machine would be needed and would contact someone who was selling his equipment, to see if there was anything suitable available to us.
 
Councillor Bushby suggested approaching some of the larger companies in Bideford, for sponsorship – this could be used for the Cash Prize.  The sponsors could be part of the judging panel and/or guests.
 
056.   TO DISCUSS PLANS REGARDING BIDEFORD’S 450TH CHARTER ANNIVERSARY.
 
Port Memorial Bed:
 
The Clerk was waiting for high res images of the seals on the Charter, she had made arrangements with the Burton for this.  She would start on the write-up for the backboard for the Port Memorial Bed.  
 
Costings had been received for the flower bed and backboard – 
Backboard £498.00 (+ VAT)
Plants etc £988.50  (+ VAT)
The budget for this project came in at £1,500.00.
 
The Clerk further reported that whilst in the Burton, she was informed that there would be a dedicated display to Bideford celebrating the 450th milestone.
 
A ticketed event in the Town Hall in December:
 
The Clerk had emailed Professor Mark Horton, inviting him to give a presentation on Elizabethan Bideford.  He has accepted.  The Clerk suggested that this is a ticketed event and that numbers will need to be limited (capacity).  It would be good to have wine/juices and nibbles available in an interval.  Also, the Mayor in full regalia, Civic Officers to be in attendance and the rooms open for attendees to look around.  
There is more that can be added to this event in due course. 
 
The Clerk has been mentioning the Celebration in the Link Magazine and would start on a press release.
 
Bideford Fair:
 
The Clerk asked about putting on a competition in the schools.  Councillor Bushby suggested contacting the School heads and giving them the information regarding the Charter and then inviting them to get involved.  The Clerk would contact the schools. 
The Clerk would contact Jane Whittaker for information on Elizabethan players/ characterisations.
 
057.   TO DISCUSS IDEAS FOR CELEBRATING THE KING’S CORONATION IN MAY 2023
 
The Clerk had circulated the information received from the Palace regarding the Coronation Plans:
Saturday 6th May  -  Coronation Day, being televised.
Sunday 7th May    -  The Big Lunch, an opportunity for street parties and the Community to come together.
Monday 8th May   -   The Big Help Out, is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy. 
 
The Clerk had, after a brief conversation with the Chairman, been in touch with Lucy Lowe regarding any plans she may have for the Weekend.  Lucy had considered televising the Coronation in the Pannier Market on the Saturday with perhaps a bake off to make the best cake fit for a King. 
The Clerk had contacted TTVS and St Mary’s Church regarding the Bank Holiday Monday Big Help Out but had received nothing back to date. 
 
Other ideas that had been forthcoming from the previous meeting were discussed:
 
Commissioning of decorative railings at Victoria Park
Councillor Busby had been in touch with someone regarding the railings and was hoping to hear back from him about a design.  Councillor Bushby would contact this person again and see if he had progressed with the drawings. 
 
Planting of a Rose bed at the Port Memorial (next to the Art Centre)
The Clerk pointed out that whilst permission from DCC would be needed for this, it couldn’t be planted until after the building works to the Arts Centre was finished, and this would not be until July this year.
 
Commemorative benches on sites on both sides of the River 
The Clerk had got prices via the Town Clerk regarding memorial benches, dependent on whether this Committee wanted them to be installed both sides of the river. 
 
A Commemorative medal for the schoolchildren.  
The Clerk reported that she had looked at commemorative medals online and would forward the links to the Chairman.  He may, of course find more companies.  
 
Members also discussed a tree-planting, working with TDC.  Councillor Bushby said that he would find out from TDC.
 
Members asked for Lucy Lowe to attend the next Tourism Committee meeting if she was available and happy to.
 
058.   DISCUSS THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PORT MEMORIAL DECORATIVE BED FOR 2023
 
As discussed in item 056.
 
059.   TO DISCUSS CHUDLEIGH PICNIC FOR 2023 AND SET A DATE
 
Councillor Mrs Langford confirmed the date as Sunday 3rd September 2023.
 
Councillor Bushby asked the Clerk to email him the date and to remind him about booking Hockings Ice Cream.
 
The Clerk would book the Burton Art Box and groups of interest as well as the Hog Roast people and Swiss Miss Bakes.
 
Members discussed the PA and Councillor Lawrence would speak with Soundwave with a view to attending but would ensure the large speakers were part of the equipment.
 
060.   TO DISCUSS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY LANDINGS ON 6TH JUNE 2024
 
The Chairman confirmed that there would be a Beacon Lighting at the D-Day Landings 80th Anniversary in 2024.  The date, which was queried by members, falls on a Thursday.  
It was agreed that the Pollyfield Centre would need to be used to have the best visual effect.  There would not be fireworks at this event.  
 
Ideas so far put forward by members:
 
• 1940s Singing Duo
• Buffet – ensuring that there is plenty and plenty to top up with
• Ensure that the same bar problems were not experienced as they were at Jubilee.
Think of something Community based to bring people together.  At the Centenary of the end of the First World War we had school children reading out the Roll of Honour.  Whilst that is not appropriate in this instance, members felt that something else would be needed.  This could be discussed further at the next meeting.  
 
The Chairman asked that using the Pollyfield Centre be put to the vote.
 
Proposed by Councillor Inch and seconded by Councillor Bushby
 
RECOMMENDED: That the Pollyfield Centre is used for the 2024 Beacon Lighting and that the Team at the Centre are offered the opportunity to provide the buffet
 
Vote:  (For: 6, Against: 0)
 
061.   DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
 
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 7th March 2023.
 
 
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.05 pm.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                        

 


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