LOSTWITHIEL BUSINESS GROUP MINUTES OF MEETING HELD Present:
A
Barratt (AB, D Phipps (DP), M Hoskin
(MH), L Apologies
T
Read, M Fitzgerald
Minutes of Last Meeting
Minutes from meeting held 2oth
October 2004 were accepted, with the following
correction: Page 3 : Christmas trees. - 60
Christmas trees have been ordered. Matters Arising Report requested by Restormel
Council following receipt of grant for 2003 was
sent on 7th November. Action
KS Complete Written application has been made
to Restormel Borough Council re Grants for Christmas
Lights and Dickensian Evening. Action
- KS Complete. Grant
supporting Christmas Lights has been received. Grant for
Dickensian Evening will be discussed by Restormel’s
Voluntary Organisations Grants Committee in early 2005. Advent Window Trail –
Taking place as usual. Full details will appear in
December Lostwithiel Newsletter. Chairman’s Report Cornish Guardian ran a one
page feature on Lostwithiel in paper dated 18th
November. This feature was supported by 15
LBG members, plus a contribution from the Business Group.
The Chairman is arranging for
additional Christmas tree brackets to be fitted around
town. Chairman has contacted Oscar Morse
to gain publicity in Cornish Guardian for Dickensian
Evening. Treasurer’s Report The current bank balance is £2735.
Lostwithiel Garden Machinary, Higgins Press and Trewether
Farm do not wish to renew subscriptions. Paraphernalia
wish to join the group. Only 3 subscriptions are now
outstanding.
Town Forum Report
A Community Company is being set up
to seek grant funding and to run proposed Projects in
conjunction with the Forum and Town Council.
Cheese and Wine evening A donation of £20 has been given to
Restormel Masonic Lodge 856 for loan of the
Arrangements for Christmas
Celebration Evening ( Thursday 16th December) The electrician is working on the
wiring around the church. This should be completed by 4th
December.
The mayor has agreed to “switch-on”
the Christmas lights at 6-30 pm. Action KS Complete Children from St Winnow School will
be singing carols during the evening. It was agreed that
a small present (e.g. bag of sweets) should be given to
each of the children participating Action
MH The Church Hall has been booked
to allow the stalls planned for the church yard to be
relocated. Action MH Complete Key to
Church Hall can be collected after
Booking of the St Minver Band has
been confirmed in writing in letter dated 21st
October Action KS Complete Christmas trees. - These
are currently being erected around town. The
meeting agreed that nobody would be charged for Christmas
trees this year even if they did not belong to the
business group. All businesses in town are urged to add
decorative lights to their trees. Ten extra brackets have been
made. These are being distributed to shops without
brackets. Action MH Complete. Posters for Dickensian Evening are
being copied by Palace Printers and should be available
by 3rd December. Review of responses to “business
concerns” questionnaire Limited opening of TIC at
weekends. Secretary has
written to LCA committee with concerns. Awaiting
response from LCA Chairman. Action KS Complete
Lack of visitor numbers.
– Various advertising opportunities were
discussed with view to increasing visitor numbers for
2005. Chairman has been sent copy of RAF
magazine which is claimed to have circulation of 20,000.
However full page advert costing £300 appears to be
expensive. Also details of publication to be distributed
to The possibility of advertising in
Fowey News was discussed, especially over Du Maurier
month. LJS to establish costs. Action LJS
It was suggested that advertising
outside the area would be advantageous for the B and B’s
in town. MH advised about a paper similar to the
Western Morning News available in The costs of sponsoring a
Lostwithiel feature promoting the Dickensian evening
in the Western Morning News in 2005 will be
investigated. The Chairman requested members to
look for examples of good advertising by other towns and
advise the committee to assist LBG in planning future
promotion for the town. AB pointed out that although several
members of LBG advertised in the Lostwithiel Antiques
leaflet this publication was not produced by the Business
Group. AOB Du Maurier Festival 6th
to 15th May
2005
Possible events and opportunities
for promoting Lostwithiel during the festival were
discussed. LBG Town Forum committee members
to check with Heritage Group and John Pegg about events
already organized for Lostwithiel.
Possibility of shops in Lostwithiel
remaining open to coincide with boat trips from Fowey was
discussed. If any members are arranging events
for the festival then please contact Chairman with
details. Also suggestions for events during the
period welcome. Date of Next Meeting
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