Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Tuesday 2nd April 2024 at 6.00 pm
PRESENT:
East Ward:
Councillor Mrs J Gubb (Chairman)
North Ward:
Councillor D Bushby
South Ward:
Councillor S Inch
West Ward:
Councillor C Hawkins
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield, Town Clerk’s Asst
074. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Lawrence (South Ward) – personal.
Councillor J Hellyer (East Ward) – work.
075. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Councillor Mrs Gubb (Chairman) declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 5 (Bideford Fair) and Item 6 (D-Day 80) – her son is providing the outside PA system at both events.
076. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
There were no members of the public in attendance.
077. MINUTES
Proposed by Councillor S Inch and seconded by Councillor Bushby that the minutes of the meeting held on 20th February 2024 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
078. TO UPDATE ON BIDEFORD FAIR AND THE MAYOR’S PARADE
The Chairman informed members that Miss Lowe had been brought in to organise the Fair and that bookings were coming in.
The Clerk informed members that the main attraction (Jumping Jacks) had been contacted and were unsure whether they would be able to take part but that Miss Lowe was waiting hear back from them. In the meantime, she had contacted Torridge District Council Licensing who had advised her (Miss Lowe) that the stunt bikes would not be permitted in Victoria Park. Councillor Bushby asked the Clerk to clarify this and if needed, he would speak with Licensing.
The Clerk was pleased to advise that there were 125 personnel (approx) in the Parade which included the Town Band who would lead them. There was also a wet-weather contingency plan for those taking part in the Parade, to avoid them marching across wet grass (this being a Safety factor). But this would all be properly decided on the weather forecast. The Civic Party would process from the Town Hall, led by the Pipes and Drums, they would all gather in the Arena where the saluting dais would be placed.
The Clerk advised members that a meeting would need to be set up to include Tourism Committee members, Town Marshall, Miss Lowe, Town Ranger Team Leader (Mr Curtis), Pipes and Drums, Dep Town Clerk and Clerk – perhaps on the Victoria Park site. This would be to walk through the route and the wet weather option route.
Councillor Bushby asked the Clerk to contact Northam Town Council to see if they would provide a list of attractions that have appeared at Northam May Fair also liaise with Miss Lowe who may have some of them in her contacts.
Councillor Hawkins suggested the Devon Medievil Combat Alliance with their re-enactments – he would see if they are still performing.
079. TO DISCUSS AND RECEIVE UPDATES FOR THE D-DAY 80 BEACON LIGHTING ON 6TH JUNE 2024 AND CONTINUE FORMING A PLAN.
The Chairman had spoken with the Pollyfield Committee regarding providing small roast potatoes later in the evening of the event. And they could provide a room for the Liberty Sisters to use as a dressing/changing room.
The Clerk asked the Chairman to contact the Liberty Sisters regarding PA/Sound Engineering.
She had received more names for the Roll Call and explained that she would make up an information board showing the people who had been involved, a bit of their history, their medals and any other details given. Councillor Bushby suggested printing off generic pictures from the internet and using them to enhance the boards as necessary.
Members discussed the setting up of the buffet in the skittle alley and they thought it would work well in there, together with the Archive and the displays. They asked the Clerk to set up a meeting at Pollyfield with Tourism Committee members, Town Cryer, Pipes and Drums, Pollyfield members, Town Ranger Team Leader and the Clerk. This would be to determine the following:
• Set up for artefacts and Archive
• Set up for buffet
• Set up for Pipes and Drums
• Dressing/Changing room for entertainers
• Inspection of the Beacon
• Discuss who will set up the lighting of the Beacon
• Outside lighting
• Bar availability – members felt that the small bar by the skittle alley would be best used as a bottle bar.
The Clerk would contact all those involved to find out the best date and time to meet at Pollyfield.
Councillor Bushby had been having difficulty getting hold of the Vintage War vehicles but would speak with Cobbaton again.
The Clerk had heard back from one catering provider – for a buffet to feed 350. This would be a finger buffet and would provide a top up, but it would be a case of “when it is gone it is gone”. Members felt this would be sufficient and would be supplemented with the small roasties later on in the evening.
She had one more caterer to check with before the members needed to commit.
The Clerk had a draft of the timings and would send it to the Committee members.
080. UPATE ON BIDEFORD’S GOT TALENT
The Chairman informed members that Miss Lucy Lowe would be involved with this event again this year. She has the contacts and was very helpful last year with organising the applicants.
The Clerk informed members that the application forms and rules had been updated and were printed off as well as on the website. Miss Lowe had started having enquiries.
The Clerk had approached Mr Allan of the Silk Lounge about providing a bar. He provides a bar for the Boxing Night at the Pannier Market and is very fair with his pricing. This led to a discussion about setting up a bar of our own. Councillor Bushby would check with TDC Licensing regarding the conditions. He added that it could be a consideration for next year, depending upon the conditions.
The Clerk would speak with the Pannier Galley tenant regarding an offering of food for the evening.
081. TO UPDATE ON CLEAN UP DAY ON SUNDAY 28TH APRIL
Members discussed equipment and especially Graffiti kits. They asked the Clerk to speak with the Town Ranger Team Leader about what was available.
The Clerk reminded members that this event would be Town Centre only to give a high profile of the Town Council, members agreed and set the next one (in September) to be Ward specific.
The Clerk asked about a central spot in Jubilee Square for the equipment etc, adding that without the Office there we would need a van. Councillor Bushby volunteered his van and was happy to pick up any equipment required on the Friday before. The Clerk would make the necessary arrangements.
082. TO UPDATE ON CHUDLEIGH PICNIC
The Chairman asked the Clerk where arrangements were with this event. The Clerk advised that she had received prices for the Portable loos and that there had been a small increase of around £30. Members had expected an increase and asked her to book them in with Eagle Plant.
Members discussed the catering and we happy to go again with North Devon Hog Roast – they also agreed to cater for the same numbers as last year (100 for hog roast, 30 vegan).
The Clerk had heard from Swiss Miss who would be attending, and she had heard back from Up Close regarding PA/music. Councillor Bushby would get in touch with Hockins Ice Cream.
The Burton Art Box had been discussed and members felt it was very popular last year and asked the Clerk to contact the Burton. They were happy to pay a small fee towards it if necessary. They further suggested that the Clerk contact Miss Lowe to get details of any providers of children’s activities. Councillor Bushby suggested that he make up a “Splat the Rat” game!
Another suggestion came from Councillor Bushby to give out small bags of sweets for the children. He pointed out that this event always comes under budget, and he asked the Clerk to speak with Minxy’s sweets at the Pannier Market to see what he could do for around £200. All members agreed that this would be a good idea.
082. TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER PURSUING THE ICE RINK PROJECT IDEA
Members had received an email from the Town Clerk regarding the Ice Rink feasibility. The email forms part of these minutes.
Taking into account the Town Clerk’s recommendation to not go ahead as the risks are too high, members agreed to take his advice and not pursue the project. They were disappointed but would look at other ways to create events and utilise the Pannier Market Hall.
084. TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A BIDEFORD HERITAGE SIGN (DISCOVERING BIDEFORD) AT THE BIDEFORD BIKE HIRE SITE
The Chairman felt this was the signs that have been installed by this Council around the Town. They considered this a reasonable request and asked that one be re-sited from its current position to the Bike Hire site. They wish to be consulted before the re-siting takes place.
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Gubb seconded by Councillor Bushby and
RECOMMENDED that a current sign (perhaps one not in such a prominent place) is re-sited to the Bike Hire site but that the Tourism Committee is consulted on which sign is being moved, before it is carried out.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
085. Date of next meeting 14th May 2024 at 6.00pm
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance, and the meeting concluded at 7.15 pm.
AGENDA ITEM 10 / MINUTE 083
From: Town Clerk
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 12:41 PM
To: Doug Bushby; Jude Gubb; Carl Hawkins; James Hellyer; Simon Inch; Peter Lawrence
Cc: Deputy Town Clerk <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
Subject: Ice Rink
Dear Tourism Committee Members
This morning I have met with the owner of Ice Rinks Ltd for a discussion on the feasibility of hosting an event. The was a clear hope from both parties that this was almost across the line but……
There were two main issues:-
1. Location of Chillers-These could not be located in Butchers Row, therefore the only alternative was outside opposite the old Belluno Restaurant. The risk associated with this is that residents would complain about the noise (c. 60 db) which could be attenuated but even with that if we got complaint there would be a risk that we would have to close the event early and suffer a loss.
2. Floor Level-The site suffers from a fall in level from south to north of over 6 inches, this would mean that 6 inches of ice would have to be frozen at one end before you would even start to form a layer at the other end. Not insurmountable, but would need to install a cassette floor which would be expensive.
As a result of the above, my recommendation is not to go ahead as the risks are too high. It is a real shame as so many other factors such as a large covered space and ability for power with a large potential footfall are there.
I will get Lesley to add an agenda item to the next Tourism committee for you to make a recommendation or not, but I still think you need to suggest to the market committee they seriously consider undertaking the upgrade to the power supply ( As per my report) whether the Ice Rink went ahead or not (Hence cc to Richard).
Hope that helps.
Regards
Paul
