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Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Tuesday 15th June 2021 at 6.00 pm

 

PRESENT:

East Ward:

Councillor Mrs J Gubb (Chairman)

South Ward:

Councillors Mrs S Langford
Councillor P Lawrence

North Ward:

Councillor D Bushby

West Ward:

Councillor C Hawkins

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield, Town Clerk’s Asst


013.     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Mrs K Corfe (West Ward) – personal.

014.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

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

015.     PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

There were no members of the public present.

016.     MINUTES

Proposed by Councillor Hawkins and seconded by Councillor Lawrence, the minutes of the meeting held on 11th May 2021 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

017.     TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE OF BIDEFORD FAIR

The Chairman gave members a list of who had agreed to attend and those who could not, she further gave the “pros and cons” of putting on the event, especially as the current situation with Covid meant a delay in lifting restrictions.
The Clerk had circulated an email from the Way of the Wharves organisation with their draft plan for integrating with Bideford Fair to put on a combined Maritime event.
Members discussed these matters and considered how it could work, especially after hearing from the Chairman about other events’ Covid Risk Assessments.

Councillor Lawrence felt that if the star attractions were not attending, there would be no centre piece for the event to draw the public in.

All members felt that if the event could not be at its best potential it would be better to cancel. The Chairman added that those participants who had agreed to this year’s event would be notified and invited to the Queen’s Jubilee celebration event in 2022.

Proposed by Councillor Lawrence and seconded by Councillor Bushby, that the event is cancelled for this year.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

018.     TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON CHUDLEIGH PICNIC, DISCUSS AN OUTLINE PLAN AND PROVIDE A NOTICE OF MOTION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CHUDLEIGH FORM INFORMATION PANEL

The Clerk had circulated an Outline Plan for the event to members, following previous site visits.
She updated members that the Memorial Flower Bed had been fully planted up and watered in and that ETW in Bloom had gone with a red, white and blue theme. She had asked the Maintenance Team to give the bronze plaque a clean and to see if the minor repairs to the plinth could be made.

The Clerk had also circulated costings (as an example) for the replacement of the heavily vandalised Chudleigh Fort Information Board in the Fort area. The costings were based on the Way of the Wharves Information Board, which had proved rather costly. Members were not enthusiastic on the prices. Councillor Bushby agreed to have a look at the framework of the existing board to see if it could be repaired or improved. The Clerk agreed to contact the company who had made the original board, she had the artwork. She would forward costings to members when she received them.

All members agreed to keep the event simple and rather than call it a Fete, they decided on Chudleigh Memorial Centenary Picnic, this would focus on the reason for the occasion.

Councillor Bushby suggested free Ploughmans Lunches and Cream Teas in individual boxes on a first come, first served, although the press release would also state that the public could bring their own picnic. Members considered this together with the suggestion of a free ice-cream for the children. All agreed that this would be a good idea. Councillor Bushby would speak with Hockings Ice Cream, to attend the event and work out a voucher scheme for a free ice cream. The Clerk would speak with the Pannier Pantry about the lunches and cream teas.

Stalls and information points would be in the Fort area, with a PA system (complimentary of DJ Jude). Members also considered Councillor McKenzie’s suggestion (whilst on the site visit) of using the Pannier Market’s giant games compendium.

Members discussed the plan for the day and timings and agreed:

1.00pm   Blessing by the Mayor’s Chaplain and Mayoral party
1.30pm   Unveiling the plaque by the Mayor
2.00pm   Lunches
3.30pm   Cream Teas

There will also be a face-painter, other entertainment to be agreed at the next meeting.

019.     TO RECEIVE AN UDATE ON ORGANISING A BAVARIAN STYLE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN THE PANNIER MARKET

Councillor McKenzie had passed on a message to say he had no updates.

Members were doubtful that this event would go ahead this year, as time was moving on, but would await instructions from Councillor McKenzie.

020.     TO FORM AN OUTLINE PLAN FOR THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE IN JUNE 2022

The Clerk had circulated a pamphlet from HM’s Pageant Master regarding a Beacon Lighting at 9.05pm on the first day of the celebrations (Thursday 2nd June 2022). She reminded members that a procession had been discussed at the last meeting, and members had discussed that this Council would lead events on the opening day of the celebrations (Thursday 2nd June), this would tie in nicely with the Beacon Lighting.

Members discussed how the day could progress and formed an outline Plan, to include Bideford Fair, to be built upon over time. Their ideas formed the following:

Procession from Town Hall to Victoria Park
Mayor to open Bideford Fair
Bideford Fair – with the people who were originally booked for 2020 and 2021, but to include family games and some more old-fashioned games
A break in events from 5pm – 7pm
Pollyfield from 7pm with a buffet and music
Town Cryer’s cry
Beacon Lighting
Fireworks – this was a request from Councillor Bushby who felt that such an auspicious occasion needed to end in a Firework Finale at Pollyfield. He knew this would be controversial but felt it was essential for this event.

The Clerk would check with Pollyfield about availability and give them a rough idea of proceedings. She explained to members that the Civic side of the event (Beacon Lighting and the Cry for the Nation) would usually be organised from the Council office.

All members felt that this would spread the celebrations across the two main focus points in Bideford. They remarked that perhaps the Pannier Market would consider having an event at some point through the day.

021.     DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING.

Tuesday 20th July at 6pm.

 

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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