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Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall on Tuesday 25th April 2023 at 6.00 pm
 
 
PRESENT:
 
East Ward:
 
Councillor Mrs J Gubb (Town Mayor)
 
South Ward:
 
Councillors Mrs S Langford
Councillor S Inch (Chairman)
Councillor P Lawrence
  
North Ward:
 
Councillor D Bushby
 
IN ATTENDANCE:
 
Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield, Town Clerk’s Asst
 
 
 
074.  TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
 
Councillor C Hawkins (West Ward) – personal.
 
075.  TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
 
No declarations were received at this part of the meeting.
 
076.  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
 
There was one member of the public.
 
077.  MINUTES
 
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Gubb and seconded by Councillor Lawrence, the minutes of the meeting held on 7th March 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record.  
 
(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)
 
078.  TO DISCUSS AND UPDATE ON BIDEFORD’S GOT TALENT
 
The Clerk updated members and circulated the plans so far.  She reported that Lucy Lowe had received a few applications already but now was the time to push.  A poster has been produced aimed at applicants.  The Applications Forms and Rules are now available.  
 
The bar has been booked, and the “back-line” for bands is being supplied by the Palladium Club.  Lucy has secured two judges so far, with another two awaiting confirmation.  
 
The Clerk relayed a message from Lucy Lowe to Councillor Bushby regarding the smoke and karaoke machines.  Councillor Bushby would be seeing the person who could supply both and would make a point of asking.
Lucy Lowe was working on having food available to purchase in the evening.
 
Points raised by members were to ensure there were enough judges confirmed, and a small amendment to the Application Form.
 
The Clerk asked about how to secure prize money.  Councillor Bushby kindly agreed to take a poster round to businesses in the Town and to ask for donations as a form of Sponsorship.  The Clerk would ensure he had posters.
 
 
079.  TO DISCUSS AND UPDATE ON BIDEFORD FAIR INCORP. THE 450TH CHARTER ANNIVERSARY
 
Port Memorial Bed:
 
The Clerk had circulated a mock up of the backboard, and reminded members that the total costs (with the plants) had come in on budget.
Members were happy with the design, the Clerk would forward this onto the supplier. 
 
Bideford Fair:
 
The Clerk had circulated an update and pointed out that Lucy Lowe had not been able to book Jumping Jacks as the main attraction in the arena as they are away.  She had asked if the Committee had any other ideas.  Apart from that, all the usual stalls and attractions are being booked and Lucy had taken on board the need for more food vendors.  
 
Members came up with more ideas:
 
• Bike stunt act
• Inviting the public to come along dressed in Elizabethan costume and join in the re-enactment of the Signing of the Charter
• Ferret Racing
• Dinosaurs
 
The Clerk would stay in touch with Lucy and carry on with the progress of the event planning.
 
080.   TO DISCUSS IDEAS FOR CELEBRATING THE KING’S CORONATION IN MAY 2023
 
The Clerk had circulated an update on events taking place on Coronation Day including the Town Cryer’s Proclamation in the morning.  She explained that she was not permitted to invite Councillors to take part in the Procession due to the elections; the fact that Councillors will  not have registered at that point.  The format for this Procession is attached and forms part of these minutes. 
 
Live Screening and Lunch/Tea in the Pannier Market – Saturday 6th May, Coronation Day
 
The Clerk circulated a poster that has been produced, together with the options for food costings.  She pointed out the Bring and Share picnic option.
 
Members considered the food offering from the two options and preferred the first one, although there was a question as to whether the vendor would be able to deliver.  Members also questioned the layout of the room and the fact that it should be set up so that all could see the screen.  The Clerk reminded them that this was Lucy Lowe’s event and our contribution did not include how it was run, to which they agreed but asked her to pass on their comments.  
 
The more pressing point was that of the screening of the event with a projector and operator being necessary.  There were options but members agreed that the person who had previously been used for the World Cup screenings should be employed with the necessary equipment.  The Clerk would pass this on to Lucy.
 
Commissioning of decorative railings at Victoria Park
Councillor Bushby explained that unfortunately this idea could no longer be progressed as the person originally contacted was not able to supply.
 
Planting of a Rose bed at the Port Memorial (next to the Art Centre)
The Clerk pointed out that, as the work on the Art Centre has now virtually finished, it could be possible to make a plan and get permission from DCC to make a rose bed.  She added that this had been included as one of the original Coronation ideas.  Although it would not be done in time for Coronation, it could be done this year.
Members all agreed.  
The Clerk would speak to the Maintenance Supervisor about a design and ask the Town Clerk to seek permission from the County Council.
 
Commemorative benches on sites on both sides of the River 
The Clerk reminded members that a site had been identified for East the Water (Heathfield), but one was needed for the west side.
Councillor Bushby suggested that a spot near to our decorative railings would be ideal, where the pavement recesses.  Members were in full agreement.
 
Councillor Bushby agreed to take photos of the site and send them to the Clerk in order for the necessary permission to be sought from the County Council.
 
A Commemorative medal for the schoolchildren.  
The Chairman was happy that the Recommendation had been ratified at Full Council and reminded members that the School Bears Coin was the option – depicting the Royal Coronation Insignia one side and our Town Crest on the reverse.
 
Tree Planting in Schools
Councillor Bushby had spoken with the three primary schools and had gained permission from all three for a tree to be planted in honour of the Coronation.  He had researched the best type of tree as all three schools did not want anything that would have any low hanging branches and requested that it would not be too big.  
Councillor Bushby was opting for three Cherry Trees and had spoken to Merry Harriers – he was waiting for new stock.
As soon as the trees are available, a meeting with the School Heads would need to be arranged for the siting of the tree, a plaque made up.  And then a date could be set for the Maintenance Team to dig the hole and then a further date for the Mayor of the day, available Councillors, School representatives and students to celebrate the planting.  
 
The Clerk asked the Chairman if she could put forward a further idea that had been discussed in the office.  
The three areas planted with saplings in Ford Woods – could be named as part of the Queen’s Canopy which is still ongoing – could call them Queen’s Copse, King’s Copse and Coronation Copse.  This would be part of the Queen’s Canopy, launched by the late Queen, and a project still very much in progress.  She added that a small ceremony could be held with the Mayor of the day, Councillors, representatives from the Woodland Trust and the Wildlife Trust to “open” the areas. 
Members liked this idea but added that signage would be necessary and it would not be suitable to have a plaque as eventually this would be covered by growth.  
The Clerk suggested a small map-style sign for the gate, showing information and siting of the new sapling nurseries. 
Members agreed for the Clerk to progress this, who would work with her colleague, Mrs Parsons who oversees the Woodland.
 
081.   TO DISCUSS AND UPDATE ON CHUDLEIGH PICNIC 
 
Councillor Bushby had been in contact with Hockings Ice Cream and confirmed their attendance.  The Clerk would make up the necessary vouchers. 
 
The Chairman reminded members that the Hog Roast had been booked, with a vegetarian option.  The Clerk would invite the other stall holders and see if she could interest more this year. 
 
Councillor Lawrence confirmed that Soundwave would be there with more robust speakers.
 
082.   TO DISCUSS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY LANDINGS ON 6TH JUNE 2024
 
The Chairman reminded members that this would be held at the Pollyfield Centre as it is a Beacon Lighting.  The Clerk confirmed that she had booked the venue and would like to arrange a meeting there in the not too distant future.  She also confirmed that the Liberty Sisters were booked and that she had mentioned this to the Pollyfield Centre Secretary.
 
The Chairman wished to discuss the logistics of Fish and Chips as this was the suggested theme of food for the event (by the Royal Pageant Master). This idea of a “cone” of fish gougons with chips was discussed as an affordable and quick option that could be dispensed quickly by mobile fish and chip vendors.  
Members all agreed to look out for these types of vendors.  The Clerk said she would ask Lucy Lowe if she knows of any.  
 
The Clerk mentioned that former Mayor and Councillor, Mr Clifford Coates had been involved in the D-Day Landings and that there must have been more from Bideford who were.  She would prepare an “appeal” for social media and the website, for families to come forward who had parents/grandparents who had been there, with the purpose of producing a Roll Call, similar to the one made at the WWI Centenary in 2018.
 
083.  DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
 
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 6th June 2023.
The Clerk asked the Chairman if an interim meeting could be called in order to discuss Bideford Fair before 3rd June.  
 
The Chairman asked members, who agreed, and instructed the Clerk to look at dates.
 
The Chairman thanked Councillor Mrs Langford for all her help over the last four years and remarked on her constant attendance.  She, in turn, offered her services on a voluntary basis should the need arise.  
 
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.00 pm.
 

MINUTE NO 080 FIRST PARAGRAPH

 
Town Cryer’s Proclamation
 
SATURDAY 6TH MAY – CORONATION DAY
TOWN CRYER’S PROCLAMATION THROUGH TOWN
 
Town Cryer (Jim), Macebearer (Val), Mayor (Jude), Consort (Gubby)
Richard and Lesley will open the Town Hall at 9.30am ready for robing and chaining.
• The Party will leave the Town Hall, where Jim will give his first cry
• Along Allhalland Street – another cry at the junction to High Street
• Crossing High Street into Mill Street, a cry at the junction of Cooper Street
• Carrying on along Mill Street to Bridgeland Street, another cry on entering the latter
• Down Bridgeland Street, crossing the road and heading to Victoria Park
• Decorative Railings outside the Park, another cry
• Returning into Town along the Quay and into Jubilee Square
• Final Cry and the Mayor will say a few words and announce the event in the Pannier Market
Back to the Town Hall
 

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