Email Bulletin No.61 Supporting and promoting community action to revitalise our towns News Somerset Towns Forum plans and next event - ‘Shop Local’ theme, Watchet in late May/early June The next STF Networking Event will be held in Watchet in late May or early June, with a town tour, presentations and discussion on Shop Local initiatives and of course time for networking. The date is yet to be confirmed but we’ll inform you as soon as possible. The Coordination Group that now runs STF has agreed who the first three hosts will be - Watchet, Frome and Aster Communities. If you would like to present your town’s own initiative at the Watchet event please contact John Richards, Chair, Watchet Association of Commerce, Environment and Trade, tel 01984 634 565 mobile 07836 239 932 email [email protected]Latest from Radstock Action Group For info on the planning application for a large development on the railway land, plus changes to roads - see their website here http://www.radstockactiongroup.org.uk/ News from Minehead Graham Sizer, Chair, Minehead Chamber of Commerce, shares the latest developments in the town; We had a pretty packed venue tonight (9 th Jan) at a town get together to discuss the concept of shared space conducted by Ben Hamilton-Baillie off the back of an agenda item you organised in the summer. Obviously charged with a bit of apprehension the 100 attendees gave him a rousing clap at the end of the Q&A session. We would recommend any settlement to at least consider it. You could feel the cogs turning in residents brains, not all negative by a long way. The Old Hospital? A meeting now being firmed up for February where Minehead has muscled in to be included in a County wide series of Asset Opportunity Workshops, talking about co-location of services. We would have been left out had we not flagged our project up. Minehead is learning it is no good just waving flags semaphore fashion from the nearest beacon. If the settlement is small or feels isolated or peripheral, the louder it has to shout. The two year old Community established Visitor Information Centre, created after local Council cuts, is moving house. Our Development Trust that can trigger external funding not available to Councils is developing its offer far better than the old Council operated model. We weave and dive to capture opportunities, and have just struck lucky with the offer of a
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Email Bulletin No.61
Supporting and promoting community
action to revitalise our towns
News Somerset Towns Forum plans and next event - ‘Shop Local’ theme, Watchet in late May/early June The next STF Networking Event will be held in Watchet in late May or early June, with a town tour, presentations and discussion on Shop Local initiatives and of course time for networking.
The date is yet to be confirmed but we’ll inform you as soon as possible.
The Coordination Group that now runs STF has agreed who the first three hosts will be - Watchet, Frome and Aster Communities.
If you would like to present your town’s own initiative at the Watchet event please contact John Richards, Chair, Watchet Association of Commerce, Environment and Trade, tel 01984 634 565 mobile 07836 239 932 email [email protected]
Latest from Radstock Action Group
For info on the planning application for a large development on the railway land, plus
changes to roads - see their website here http://www.radstockactiongroup.org.uk/
News from Minehead
Graham Sizer, Chair, Minehead Chamber of Commerce, shares the latest developments in
the town;
We had a pretty packed venue tonight (9th Jan) at a town get together to discuss the
concept of shared space conducted by Ben Hamilton-Baillie off the back of an agenda item
you organised in the summer. Obviously charged with a bit of apprehension the 100
attendees gave him a rousing clap at the end of the Q&A session. We would recommend
any settlement to at least consider it. You could feel the cogs turning in residents brains, not
all negative by a long way.
The Old Hospital? A meeting now being firmed up for February where Minehead has
muscled in to be included in a County wide series of Asset Opportunity Workshops, talking
about co-location of services. We would have been left out had we not flagged our project
up. Minehead is learning it is no good just waving flags semaphore fashion from the nearest
beacon. If the settlement is small or feels isolated or peripheral, the louder it has to shout.
The two year old Community established Visitor Information Centre, created after local
Council cuts, is moving house. Our Development Trust that can trigger external funding not
available to Councils is developing its offer far better than the old Council operated model.
We weave and dive to capture opportunities, and have just struck lucky with the offer of a
free of rent property opposite the Heritage Railway. It is big enough to not only house the
Information Centre but establish a long needed museum for Minehead, and will open ready
for Easter. Come and see what we are doing.
We have just introduced our town wide Shop Local Loyalty Card Scheme. 90% of High
Street shops signed up and upwards of £100 of prize vouchers up for grabs each month.
Brilliant Lights Switch-On evening in late November - Businesses well motivated to get
involved this year more than in the past few. Perhaps they are nervously optimistic, but it is
difficult to get them to admit it!
That's the news from my standpoint. PS Oh, how about bringing the kids to Minehead at
half term? The Ice Rink will be up and running in the Town Square again. And this year
many shop and eatery offers will be available to outside visitors. Graham
And more from Stephen Hooper, Minehead Vision Manager;
As a Portas Town Team we were successful in our bid to the Centre for Local Economic Strategy for a resilience assessment and were one of the nine towns in the UK chosen for this consultancy which is to take place in February. We held an open public meeting with 'Shared Space' consultant Ben Hamilton Baillie to explore the potential of establishing such zones in Minehead and shall continue looking how we can use such mechanisms to enhance the vitality of the town centre. We have commissioned web developers to design a 'Thermal Calendar' which is in essence an almanac of all the events in Minehead overlaid on each other to give a comprehensive view of the volume and demographic of visitor activity in the town. The Calendar will serve to both encourage visitors to stay longer in Minehead as well as provide market intelligence for traders, event programmers and accommodation providers. The alpha version has been shared with a focus group and the finished Calendar will be launched in February. There is much more but it is too early to publicise. Stephen
3 job vacancies at Frome Town Council (deadline 9am Monday 27th – apologies!)
Read more here...
Jenson lights up Frome at Christmas
From Laura Poulton, Administration Officer, Frome Town Council
The Frome Christmas Extravaganza was held on 30th November. We were lucky enough to
have Jenson Button turn on the Christmas lights and were also treated to the rare sight of an
F1 car racing through the streets of Frome. See below...
• 13 January and 28 February if you wish to be considered only for the role of trustee.
Small charities can now register as CIOs From Bates Wells Braithwaite weekly review: there has been confirmation from the Charity Commission that Charitable Incorporated Organisations can now be registered with incomes under five thousand pounds. Pending the website/online form being updated, "you will need to put on the form that your income is over £5,000 in order to progress . . You should then put a note at the end in the special circumstances box at the end of the form explaining that the income is under £5,000."
Smaller charities previously unable to register can now, via registration as a CIO, obtain a charity number. FAQs on CIOs.
My Cheddar community group and Fairlands Middle School pupils work together to
brighten up the village centre.
Local community group My Cheddar have been working with Fairlands Middle School's Year
5 pupils as part of the school's activities for this year's Communities Week. Every year the
whole school holds extra-curricular activities to strengthen links with the community and
expand the pupil's horizons in a fun way.
My Cheddar is working on a number of projects around the village, one of which involves
improvements to the village centre, and the year 5 pupils have made a wonderful
Neighbourhood Plans resource Have a look at all the 'made' plans, with their examiners reports, consultation statements and basic conditions statements.
Local Employment event in Minehead A “Journey to Employment Event” will be taking place in February in Minehead. The event will provide an excellent opportunity for employers to speak to individuals face to face about current and future opportunities within their organisation and we encourage all local employers to get involved. The aim is to help individuals develop a better understanding of what local employers are looking for when recruiting. This will be a very interactive event with attendees encouraged to take part in short work related tasters.
The event is taking place from 9:15am to 3:30pm on Wednesday 12th February 2014 at the Beach Hotel in Minehead. If you would like to participate or wish to find out more, please contact Lucy Divers on [email protected] or call 01823 349458
The event is being organised by Jobcentre Plus in partnership with a number of organisations including West Somerset Council , West Somerset College, EDF Energy and The Beach Hotel
Two New Guides Published – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/have-your-cake-and-
‘Can Do’ – guide for organisers of voluntary events https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/can-do-guide-for-organisers-of-voluntary-events Voluntary and community events are an important aspect of everyday life that help to encourage and enable people to participate, and play a more active part, in society.
This guide provides information on how to organise such events.
Available at - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/can-do-guide-for-organisers-of-voluntary-events/the-can-do-guide-to-organising-and-running-voluntary-and-community-events the guide has seven parts with links to more specialised guidance in part 7:
Your guide to organising a Street Party - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/your-guide-to-organising-a-street-party This step-by-step guide provides practical advice for anyone looking to hold a street party,
whether it is to celebrate a national or local event, to take part in the Big Lunch in early June
each year, or just to get together with neighbours. It addresses some of the popular myths
surrounding street parties and sets the record straight on what is actually needed (including
on road closures, charges, playing music and insurance) as well as providing links to
organisations who offer advice and support to people planning their own street parties. The
guidance includes a simple form you can use to let your local council know about your plans
and apply for a road closure, or you can look for guidance on your council’s own website.
Right to Contest: new plan to speed up sale of public land and property From 8 January communities and businesses will be able to action their Right to Contest and submit applications challenging the use of sites. The public will be able to contest the use of central government land and property and
apply for its release. Currently, members of the public only have the right to challenge local
authorities where land or property is empty or under-used. Under the Right to Contest
scheme, announced at the Spending Round 2013 and developed by the Cabinet Office, this
power is widened to central government land and property, both vacant and occupied.
More information available at - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/right-to-contest-new-plan-to-speed-up-sale-of-public-land-and-property . Full guidance available at - https://www.gov.uk/right-to-contest On Tuesday 7th January, the Government launched ‘Delivering Differently’, a joint
programme between the Cabinet Office, the Department for Communities and Local
Government, the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Society of Local Authority
NEW BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICE FOR DEVON AND SOMERSET – delivered by
Peninsula Enterprise
6,000 firms in rural Devon and Somerset are set to benefit from the introduction of a new
business support service by the Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise
Partnership (LEP).
The Support Service provides a variety of options to assist firms to develop and grow.
Face to face business advice is included from a team of expert business advisers; an
interactive workshop programme; an innovation programme; specialist support for women’s
led enterprises; and a voucher based support programme.
The objective is to establish a strong programme of assistance throughout the HotSW area,
which will facilitate business innovation, helping the local economy and increasing
employment.
Just under £1 million is being invested into the business support programme across the two
counties.
The service is part of the wider Rural Growth Network for Devon and Somerset, which is
being led by the HotSW LEP in partnership with Devon and Somerset County Councils.
For further information see the Heart of the South West website.
Small Ilminster charity spreads big messages in the developing world Press Release: Purple Field Productions (PFP) is celebrating its first ten years this year
making films with and for some of the poorest countries on earth. Working together with
people in Africa and Asia, the charity has made twelve life-changing films, trained three
filmmaking groups, introduced a backpack, pedal-powered cinema (see our 4 minute film on
YouTube: http://youtu.be/DNW8NIVMjnI), and set up a digital magazine. PFP's dramas
and documentaries have reached hundreds of thousands of people, helping to save lives
from HIV, enabling local farmers to combat climate change and grow more food and
releasing disabled people from stigma and isolation.
You can help by becoming a SCREEN FRIEND. All you have to do is email
[email protected] and we will send you information on all of our films.
Choose one to show it to an audience, however small - at home, in the village/town hall,
school, club - and the film is yours to keep. We send it to you at no cost in return for what
you can collect as a donation. This will keep the charity alive and enable it to make
wonderful films for another 10 years and beyond.
Ken Loach, the famous UK film director says this of Purple Field Productions: “This is an
extraordinary venture. I’m sure it is valued greatly by those with who you make the films.
Good luck with your continuing work”.
Read more at www.purplefieldproductions.org
Interesting urban wildlife project in Taunton - Routes to the River Tone Somerset Wildlife Trust have recently secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for an ambitious people and wildlife partnership project within Taunton entitled Routes to the River Tone. It will enable us to begin a Living Landscape approach within Somerset’s county town focussed on the River Tone, five tributary streams and 16 green spaces linked to those waterways that connect Taunton to its wider landscape. Read more here - http://www.somersetwildlife.org/taunton_living_landscape.html
There are two jobs being advertised at the moment – but the closing date is this Sunday (?!) – see here http://www.somersetwildlife.org/vacancies.html Gloucestershire miners back regeneration plans for former coal mine Plans for Cinderford's Northern Quarter, including the proposed Gloucestershire College Forest of Dean campus, a new £8.9m spine road and other developments, have resident backing, including from members of the former coal mining community. Read more here - https://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/news/gloucestershire-regeneration-proposals-supported-cinderford-miners
Training
We publicise relevant training opportunities for the town regeneration sector, in Somerset or nearby.
Cascade Training courses
Effective Communication Skills Wednesday 12th February (Bristol)
• Why communication can be so difficult • The importance of active listening & questioning • What is your preferred style of communication? • How personality type affects communication style • How non-verbal signals can affect the message • Resistance & other barriers to good communication • Taking responsibility for your intentions & reactions • Influencing techniques & key communication scenarios • Giving and receiving feedback • Action planning for ongoing skills development This very participative workshop focuses on what helps and hinders good verbal communication and why good communication skills are so important in the workplace.
Using a mixture of different media and exercises, you will gain the tools to improve the clarity of your own communications and better understand where others are ‘coming from’. You will learn and practice how to get your message across effectively and how to overcome common problems and pitfalls. Trainer: Mark Hughes For more details and to book... Legacy & In Memoriam Fundraising Tuesday 25th February (Exeter)
• Understanding legacy & in memoriam fundraising • Exploring the motivations of your target audience • Getting legacies onto the fundraising agenda • Identifying potential donors/supporters • Engaging & building the right relationships • Promoting your legacy and in memoriam campaign • Developing a very useable legacy funding plan
This very practical workshop will introduce you to the key fundraising principles related to legacy and in memoriam gifts. In an increasingly competitive funding marketplace, legacy and in memoriam income should not be ignored. Getting the basics right will allow you to overcome the barriers to legacy promotion and widen your appeal to potential donors. We will look at how to get your legacy and in memoriam campaign up and running, how to market it appropriately - and how to write up a strategic legacy fundraising plan to guide and inform your work. Trainer: Jane Galloway For more details and to book... Other Cascade courses coming up; • Introduction to Project Management: Wednesday 29th January (Taunton) • New! Crash Course in Fundraising: Tuesday 4th February (Exeter) • Corporate Fundraising: Tuesday 4th March (Exeter) • Public Speaking & Presentation Skills: Tuesday 11th March (Bristol) • Motivational Management & Leadership - Tuesday 18th March (Bristol) • Addressing Data Protection: Thursday 20th March (Exeter) • Half day workshops on Wednesday 26th March (Taunton): Professional Boundaries (a.m.) £75 Working with reluctant/ambivalent clients (p.m.) £75 • Event Fundraising: making your events stand out from the crowd: Tuesday 1st April (Exeter) Full day workshops cost £139 and run from 9.30am to 4.30pm unless specified otherwise Refreshments (& sandwich lunch at all full day events) are provided Map/directions to venue will be sent to delegates Discounts: 3 bookings for full day courses made at the same time by the same organization, will be discounted by 10% (can't be used in conjunction with other offers) Delegates will receive certificates confirming course completion Cascade offers a bursary scheme for charities and other small groups with an income of less than £25k p.a. To find out more, please contact us. For more details and to book...
Funding OurPlace – major support and funding programme – see item in News
Schemes that are a joint application between professional club community schemes and grassroots
football will be prioritised, as will those supporting 3G AGPs.
All applications must have security of tenure either by freehold or leasehold. A minimum of 25 years
security of tenure is required by leasehold.
An opportunity to apply for smaller grants is expected to be available in summer 2014.
Applications may be submitted at any time. There are no deadlines.
Full details can be found on the Football Foundation website. The Foyle Foundation Small Grants Scheme is designed to support smaller charities in the
UK, especially those working at grassroots and local community level, in any field, across a wide
range of activities.
Applications are welcomed from charities that have an annual turnover of less than £100,000 per
annum.
Larger or national charities will normally not be considered under this scheme (note the Foundation
has a separate grant programme for larger awards). The Small Grants scheme generally will not
support charities that are able consistently to generate operational surpluses or which have been able
to build up unrestricted reserves to a level equivalent to three months turnover.
One year grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available to charities which can demonstrate that
such a grant will make a significant difference to their work. If applicants cannot evidence this, the
application will be declined. No multi-year funding awards are made.
PLEASE NOTE that demonstrating ongoing sustainability is also important, particularly if for
agencies that have recently lost local authority or other regular funding.
There are no deadlines for submission. Applications will be received at all times but it may take up to
four months to obtain a decision from Trustees.
All applications will be acknowledged, usually by email, within two weeks of receipt. All declined
applications will also be informed by email.
For details on how to apply, visit the Foyle Foundation website. Thanks to West Somerset Council, the Cabinet Office SW, GRIN Funding Bulletins, VolResource, the HCA and STF members for items in this bulletin. If you have been forwarded this bulletin and would like to join our mailing list, email [email protected]. We welcome feedback so we can develop our services. STF is part of the voluntary and community sector in Somerset. Matt Day Regeneration & Marketing Consultant Tel: 01460 929865 [email protected]
For any queries relating to these bulletins, or to contribute news items, email [email protected]