MEETING 14.11.11

Present: Toby Martin, Liam Coles, Michael Boggis, Terry Duck, Ollie Sandalls, James Bradford, Myles Meissenheimer. Daisy Tyszkiewwicz, Charlie Canty, Alex Diss, James Stamp, James Wheeler, Luke Lukins,  Dan Lacey, Alex Coleborn,
Bev Young and Jane Gray.

1.   Fundraising  -  the Group discussed the High Sheriff’s Award and it was decided to apply for professional help with our web-site.   There are so many events that we are organising next year to coincide with the Olympics, the Cultural Olympics, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Urban Games and we want everybody to be kept in touch, whether they are taking part or spectating.   Toby cited the safety aspects of the web-site, such as the advice on helmets and the lessons, which bring in many parents from a wide area and they then spend money in the town as well.   Liam felt that it was really important to have an up to date and constantly changing web-site so that people keep looking at it.   Daisy liked the way it now connects to the members pages on Facebook and has a video-playing widget and her photos are on there along with one of the Halloween Jam videos.   It was agreed that Rosemarie Gant had done a great job in getting it up and running and we would like to keep it fresh and up-dated, especially in the next 18 months.    We agreed unanimously to apply for £1,000 to the High Sheriff’s Award for help.
The application for help with the purchase of Evercrete, the concrete sealant, has gone to the Town Council, who are distributing the New Homes Bonus.

2.    Web-site  -  the web-site is now live but needs additional information before it is finished.    We have spent £175 getting it up and running to this stage and everybody who has seen it is very impressed.   Luke Pearse is getting the lessons page together and this will help parents know what is available, the timetable for lessons and how to book.
Jane to talk to the local skate shop to ask if they want to have a link into our site.

3.   Brochure  -  We had a look at the proposed strap-line for the new brochure about our extension.   An example of a strap-line is the Tesco’s “every little helps” – it trips off the tongue and makes you think that Tesco’s is helping you save money.    The Group has been collecting possible strap-lines for the past few weeks and these were put on a big sheet and a top ten were chosen.  These will now go on the web-site and be voted on and the winning strap-line will be used in all our publicity.
Daisy to do a group photo for the brochure and a photo of a helmet for the web-site to advertise the ones that the Group sell at cost price.

4.   Urban Games  -  looking ahead, the Group agreed to put on a huge Jam with BMXing, blading, skating and scooter-riding in Sept 2012.    We will look at involving other groups and the wider community as we can access some funding for this event as well as promotional material, wrist bands etc:  Toby was keen to have some fireworks as well and this could fit in well with Dan Peppiart, who is working with the Group on the proposed Youth Hub and is an expert in using pyrotechnics in his art work.    Toby to research further ideas on the Urban Games.

5.   SKOPERA and other events  -  we talked about the Giant Creature coming to the town on the 19th May as part of the Cultural Olympics and the bladers, BMXers and skaters will be the out-riders racing the Giant down the High Street to the Museum, where the Giant will present or be given a “treasure”.   At 7pm the Giant will come to the skatepark for the finale.   We have Evi Crane singing in the middle bowl and the BMXers and skaters in the two adjoining bowls together with fire and spectacle.  We are looking into projecting the action in the bowls onto the wall of Turpins.

6.   Extension and youth/community hub  -  research work is progressing and the other Group, who are concentrating on this aspect, are due to meet in the next few weeks.
We will publish the date at the park and on the web-site.

7.   Film  -  Bev has been in contact with the film company who want to involve us in acting in and making a film, which will be used as a town trail.   Those who are interested in taking part were asked whether an evening or weekend day would be best.    A weekday evening was thought more popular, Bev to contact film company.

8.   Safety  -  Jane had been to a road planning and safety meeting and they have fluorescent snap-bands to fit wrists and ankles, discs to attach and strips to put on back-packs.    Snap bands were thought to be most useful, Jane to order some.

9.   Turpins  -  there have been some issues with one elderly member of Turpins, indoor bowling centre.   He has been very abusive to parents and skaters who use the car-park near their bowling centre.   Skaters and parents are advised not to engage with him and to call the police if he attempts to let down car-tyres or is abusive.   The Committee will address this problem through official channels and hopefully
we can soon go back to our usual harmonious relationship with the bowls club, especially as we have cleared the litter and graffiti from the rear of their premises, which is not our responsibility.

10.   Scooter Jam  -  the Scooter Jam is on Sunday 27th November from 9am until 12pm.   Come along and take part in the competition and try Bev’s bacon butties !
We need some exciting posters to put up at the park to advertise the Jam, so scooter- riders start creating some artistic flyers.

11.   Scooters  -  Luke offered to put together a booklet advising scooter riders about the etiquette of the skatepark and how to avoid getting in the way of the action.   Matt and Grace have started this project and Luke will liaise with them.   The completed booklet, which may be in cartoon form, to go on the web-site.

12.   Lease  -  the Town Council may be interested in offering to lease the skatepark to the Skate Group for a peppercorn rent.   As we already run and maintain the park, we need to understand the implications of such a move and seek legal advice as well as engaging in further talks with the Council.

AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
1.  Fundraising, including late-night shopping   2.  Web-site, including strap-line vote.
3.  Urban Games and calendar of events for 2012.   4.  Youth/community hub and skatepark extension news.     5.   Film.      6.  Lease.    7.  AOB.

NEXT MEETING ON MONDAY 28TH NOVEMBER AT 7PM ON THE PARK.

cateogories: Meetings