Minutes November 2007

KIRKBY STEPHEN TOWN FORUM
Minutes Of the Meeting held on Monday 12 November 2007

Present: Charles Hurst, Joan Johnstone, Mike Walker, Andrea Hines, Ann Sandell, Derek Thompson, Jacqui Semple, Andy Sayer, Alex Chalmers, Debbie Hylton, Elizabeth Hall, Glenys Lumley, Mark Earnshaw, Steve Gardner, Craig Gardner, Wendy Wearmouth, Donald Walker

From Appleby: Keith Budding, Ian Potts, Eric Wooff, Shelley Watson, Karen Greenwood, Margaret Brown

The contingent from Appleby was welcomed. Under the proposals to convert the Appleby Alliance to an Upper Eden Alliance, it was suggested that Appleby should have a body similar to the KS Town Forum. Our visitors had come to observe our activities.

1. Apologies for absence: Tim Stoddard, Alex Birtles, Felicity Kay, Samantha Sandell
    
2. Minutes of the meeting on 10 September 2007:  These were accepted as a true record of the meeting.

3 Matters Arising (where not agenda items):
a. “Awards for All” funding will be discussed later in the meeting. However, an application has been made for a Neighbourhood Development Grant to cover costs of insurance, and a number of other items amounting to £500.
b. The Forum has become a member of Action for Market Towns, with the membership paid for by the Town Council. Through this organisation we have secured annual event insurance at a competitive price.

4. Treasurer’s Report:
Joan Johnstone noted that the recent Charter Market had been very successful in the absence of external funding, and through donations had managed to cover its costs.

5. Charter Market:
Ann Sandell reported on the event held at the end of October. The weekend was very successful. Charles Hurst very kindly agreed to read the proclamation at the last minute.
Ann’s report may be found as an appendix to these minutes.

The town was certainly bustling with many visitors that either stopped because they saw something happening, or were staying locally.  The majority of stallholders and shops said they had had a very good day and would like the event repeated next year.  Amber Markets have confirmed that they are willing to come back the same weekend next year.

One e-mail questioned the way things were organised, but many e-mails and people in the street said how pleased they were to see the town busy or how much they enjoyed the day. There were formal thanks from the Town Council and three comments of appreciation via the Community Office.

The poster competition attracted around 60 entries from Year 8 at the Grammar School and the winners were Emma Davis, and Daniel King.

6. Christmas:
Derek Thompson informed the Forum that arrangements were in hand at the station for the Christmas event. Free mulled wine and sweets will be offered. Visits to Santa will cost £1, and gifts will be provided of value around £2. The Stainmore Railway Company have produced posters, and additional ones will be given to Ann Sandell. Mark Keefe has carried out a Risk Assessment for the station activity.

A visit from Santa has been organised, and he will be driven to the station from the Market Square by Aaron Kirkby at 10.00, returning at 15.30.

Stalls will be sited both on the Market Square and on the Station platform. It was agreed that those at the station will need advertising in the Market Square.

Cumbria Classic Coaches will provide a bus service during the day between the town centre and the station. It was agreed that Mike will contact Will Hamer to determine where best to site the bus stop in town.  Action: Mike Walker

It was pointed out that the road surface at the old station was deteriorating, and the secretary was asked to write to the occupants asking if improvements could be made in time for the Christmas event.   Action: Mike Walker

Responses for the Window Competition and Christmas Trees have been slow and Ann Sandell agreed to chase up further returns this week. Confirmation of numbers and sites need to be confirmed to Nigel Stevenson and John Popple as soon as possible.

Glenys and Heb Lumley have agreed to judge the Window Competition and Mike will liaise with them over details.   Action: Mike Walker

Joan Johnstone will order prizes and gifts as before and Mike will arrange for certificates to be printed by Cerberus.   Action: Joan Johnstone / Mike Walker

Mike Walker will announce the winners and introduce the lights switch on ceremony.

Ann Sandell has arranged for another poster competition with Year 9 of the Grammar School. Donald Walker and Debbie Hylton agreed to act as judges. Two £10 Aroma vouchers will be provided as first prizes, and £5 book tokens as second prizes.

Information about activities will be needed. Ann Sandell is negotiating to use the Gothic Apothecary shop, and Joan Johnstone agreed to loan the signs used for the Charter Market.

Volunteers and transport for the market stalls will be needed at 0900 and 1630. Mike will contact possible volunteers.    Action: Mike Walker

We are still trying to find musicians to perform in the Market Square. The Silver Band and various Choirs have been asked.
7. New Year’s Eve:
Mike has found a DVD of Big Ben to provide a visual indication of New Year. A video projector is available and the intention is to back project it onto a screen in a window overlooking the Market Square. Both Liz Hall and the Pennine Hotel were willing to host the equipment. In previous years music has been provided in the Square, but the complications of this are becoming greater. A license would be needed from Eden District Council, and if road closure is desirable this needs to be negotiated with Cumbria County Council. A sub-committee of Mike Walker, Andy Sayer, Wendy Wearmouth, and Craig Gardner will meet at the Pennine Hotel on Monday 19 November at 1930 to finalise the details.     Action: Mike, Andy, Wendy, Craig

8. Twinning:
Through contacts with the Cobwebs Orchestra, it has been suggested that Kirkby Stephen consider twinning with Castelfiorentino, in Italy. A preliminary meeting was held in September to consider the request. It was agreed that we should build on existing contacts with the Cobwebs Orchestra, and the Primary School, and evolve more formal twinning over a period of time. Ian Potts of Appleby Town Council and the Cobwebs Orchestra suggested that we might consider whether a twinning arrangement might be possible for the Upper Eden area under the projected new Alliance. It was agreed to pass this suggestion on to the Town Council.    Action: Mike Walker

9. Awards for All:
It had been agreed that applications for “Awards for All” funding need to be for well defined projects. Ideas suggested included the Twinning Activity, modern (eco-friendly?) Christmas Lights, and Marketing the Market. These ideas will be progressed at future meetings.

We were informed that Ann Meston has provided funding for reinvigorating the Appleby Market, as part of the regeneration policy. It was agreed that the secretary would approach Ann to determine if similar support was available for Kirkby Stephen.
       Action: Mike Walker

10. Community Cinema:
Sedbergh Council have offered Kirkby Stephen the use of their Community Cinema. These have suggested a cost of £200 per occasion, covering film hire and the provision of two technicians. Whilst supportive of the opportunity, the Forum felt that such events would be financially risky for charitable organisations. Rattan and Rush had expressed an interest in the venture, and would be asked if they wished to take up Sedbergh’s offer.
       Action: Mike Walker

11. Future Ideas
a. Kirkby Stephen Carrier Bags. Appleby have used their own printed fabric bags for some years, and are considering re-ordering. This was considered as a further possibility for joint action under the Upper Eden Alliance banner, to reduce supply costs. This will be progressed at the January meeting.

b. Shop locally campaign. There was limited experience of whether such a campaign would be successful, although it was noted that current high fuel costs may already be encouraging local purchasing.

12. Digital Switchover:
The Forum has been advised of an Information Session on Digital Television to be held on 30 November from 2 – 4pm in the Sandgate Room, at Penrith Methodist Church. It was thought that many would be interested in this, as it will affect everyone. It was thought to be of specific interest for the elderly, and hotels and bed & breakfasts.
Bookings for this session can be made through Judith Quigley on 01768 212265 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
       Action: All

13. Any Other Business:
a. Donald Walker informed the Forum that he was standing down as coordinator of the Poppy Appeal, and would appreciate help from the Forum in finding a successor. Alex Chalmers suggested a piece in the Volunteer Centre newsletter, and the Forum suggested an item in the Community Newsletter. Mike Walker agreed to write a piece for both.
       Action: Mike Walker
The Forum thanked Donald Walker for the tremendous work done over the last 10 years.

b. Various meetings have been brought to the notice of the Forum:
 Upper Eden Neighbourhood Forum Drop-in Session
Wednesday 14 November  14.00-16.00 at the Kirkby Stephen Methodist Hall
“Getting the Best out of Public Transport”

Upper Eden Neighbourhood Forum Public Meeting
Wednesday 14 November  19.30 at the Kirkby Stephen Methodist Hall
“Town Enhancement” & “Getting the Best out of Public Transport”

Cumbria CVS – Delivering Public Services
Tuesday 27 November 09.30-16.00 at Rheged
“Engaging with the Public Sector and Securing Contracts”
Booking via Cumbria CVS on 01768 242138

Shaping Cumbria’s Local Area Agreement
Friday 7th December 12.30-16.00 at Castle Green Hotel, Kendal
An opportunity to contribute to the development of the Cumbria LAA
Bookings through Lisa Wallace on 01768 242310 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cumbria CVS Third Sector Network
Monday 3 December 10.00-12.00 at CREA, Redhills, Penrith
Third Sector Strategy Consultation
Bookings through Nicola Howells on 01900 819191

Further details of these meetings are available from Mike Walker.

c. Upper Eden Alliance.
Eric Wooff informed the Forum that the formation of the Upper Eden Alliance is progressing. The Appleby Alliance closing accounts are now available and we can now move forward and notify the changes to the Charities Commission and Companies House. Although Appleby has still not completed the Parish Plan, it was not felt appropriate to delay the proposal while Appleby catches up with Kirkby Stephen.
Members of the Appleby Chamber of Trade and Community Association present at the meeting noted that the activities of the Forum were similar to their own. It was felt that this organisation could act in a similar way to the KS Town Forum in Appleby at the operating level, under the Upper Eden Alliance.

14. Date of Next Meeting:  The next meeting of the Kirkby Stephen Town Forum will be held on Monday 14 January 2008 at 7 pm in the room above the Tourist Information Centre.