Port of Fowey Chamber of Commerce

News from the Chamber

July 2010

 

The AGM took place on Monday 7^th June at Fowey Gallants Sailing Club. There were a number of apologies due to the bad weather but Chairman John Burford welcomed guests John Perry and Steve Gosling from Fowey Community College, Reverend Philip de Grey-Warter and Sherlee Gudmunsen to the meeting.

John Burford said that Fowey had had another hard winter but felt it had faired better than other places and that the recent school holiday week had been busy.

 

John explained that the Christmas Market had taken up a huge amount of Committee members’ time over the past few months but arrangements are now well in hand for the 2010 event, which will be back on Town Quay.

Promotion for the event was launched during Du Maurier week with flyers, posters and bookmarks produced by Steve Beresford at KitzKatz. A group of Year 10 students had recently been working on other ideas for promotion of the event and presented ideas to members at the May meeting. John Perry and Steve Gosling from the College told the meeting that they are keen to become involved with the community and would like to use the expertise of local business people to help students gain the necessary skills for work. Several members said they are happy for students and staff to visit their businesses to learn what happens.

 

John Burford said the Chamber is aiming to replace and increase Christmas lights around the town. Various fund-raising events are planned including a Cream Tea on the 16^th June. Alison Davis has agreed to take over co-ordination of the events from Carol Eardley, who is retiring from the Executive Committee. Some funds have already been received from Lesley McCartney, generated by the Du Maurier Festival Town Hall events.

 

John Burford continued his report saying that a planned photographic competition promoting the town and resulting in the production of a Fowey calendar, had not happened and he hoped it would take place next year.

 

Ian Owers was asked to give a short report on car parking. He said he has been to many meetings with the new Cornwall Council Parking Panel and along with other Chambers is fighting to keep charges down. Charges have been increased by 5% from 2010, but the aim is to put together a unified policy from April 2011, which could result in charges in Fowey being drastically reduced if Fowey becomes classed as a minor town.

 

The Du Maurier Festival had been another successful event with the Chamber again looking after the events in the Town Hall, thanks to Lesley McCartney for coordinating again. Members and local businesses had received questionnaires to help Cornwall Council decide if the event is viable for the future.  

 

John Burford concluded his report with thanks to everyone on the Executive Committee for all their hard work in the last year.

 

Treasurer Mike Phillips presented the Annual Accounts to the meeting explaining that although the Chamber had withdrawn its support for the 2009 Christmas Market, costs of £360 were incurred which included the services of the town busses. Three new items appear in this year’s accounts, £100 donation to the Forum, and subscriptions to the Coach Driver’s Manual and Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, who had provided useful guidance for the Christmas Market.  Subscriptions have increased by 27%; thanks were extended to Membership Secretary Andy Mitchell.

 

As no committee members were retiring, the current Executive Committee was re-elected as a body.

 

Lynn Goold showed members a leaflet advertising the Fowey River Ferry, which runs between Caffa Mill and Whitehouse. Now in its second year, she said the service needs on-going support for it to continue.

She thanked John Burford in his role as Chairman and thanked the Chamber on behalf of the Fowey Forum for its donation to the Heritage Project funds. She explained that now the Forum has received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, they can go ahead with plans for interpretation boards, audio trails, extra guides and a new website for the town.

 

David Willmore explained the new system for paying car park charges by mobile phone, called RingGo. He had previously emailed members with details. Lynn Goold said that weekly parking tickets can now be used in most long stay car parks across the County.

 

Finally John Burford thanked Chamber Secretary Sue Simpson for all her hard work throughout the year, and everyone for attending the meeting.

 

Thanks were extended to Gallants Sailing Club for the use of the premises for meetings and for the food, which followed the meeting.

 

The next Executive Committee meeting will be held on Monday 19^th July, 6pm at Gallants Sailing Club.