Join the Mayor of Barnstaple, Cllr Janet Coates at this years Country Music Hoedown. Enjoy an afternoon of line dancing, live music, tin can shootout and lots more.
RECENT EVENTS
HELLO FROM BARNSTAPLE TOWN COUNCIL…
December was a busy month in the run up to Christmas. We received encouraging feedback after Light Switch On, and noted that many stayed right to the end of the stage entertainment. Once again, a big thanks to all those who planned so meticulously to make the event a success. In addition to the main stage entertainment, Santa’s Grotto and the train rides also proved very popular.
Another really successful event was the four-day Railway Exhibition at The Guildhall. Not only was it very well attended, but we received some very positive reviews and feedback from the public. Over a thousand people looked around the exhibits, with around three hundred and fifty attending the kids craft event in the Shambles. It was a great way for the Heritage team to wrap up the year and plans are already in the works to hold a similar exhibit next year.
A huge thanks goes out to all those who helped set up the displays and worked hard behind the scenes to bring the event to life. It proved a marvellous exploration of Barnstaple & North Devon’s rich Railway past and included models of Barnstaple Town Station, Pilton Yard and Lynton Station. It was also pleasing to see so many children enjoying their crafting in The Shambles, an event put on alongside the man exhibition. Some lovely Christmas crafts and train crafts were made.
Following the successful Community Cafe event in early December, where representatives from Devon Carers were on hand to give advice and assistance, a shorter Community Café was held on 2nd January at The Shambles. The last few weeks has thrown some pretty unpleasant weather at us, and some were very grateful for the opportunity to pop in for a hot soup and a chat with our Councillors.
We were pleased to help in promoting the ‘Christmas Support In Barnstaple’ campaign. With some local amenities and activities closed over the festive period, it was an opportunity for the community to come together and share details about local coffee mornings, community lunches, craft sessions, etc. Thanks to our friends at One Barnstaple for arranging this., a vital resource particularly for the more vulnerable in our community. Look under the ‘upcoming events’ section below to find out more about the new initiative, ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’.
December saw the Festival of Christmas Trees event at the Parish Church, St Peter’s, which we were very happy to support. Our Mayor performed the official opening, with a programme of Christmas music and crafts taking centre stage. There was even a tree decorated by members of the town council staff! The specially crafted models of both the Guildhall and the Clocktower in particular grabbed people’s attention. Well done to all for participating.
Shining a light on Rock Park, the installation of new upgraded LED lamp-heads have made the paths and walkways safer and easier to use during these long dark nights.
A quick update on defibrillators. We now provide five of the town’s defibrillators. Located at Pilton High Street, Butchers Row, St George’s Road, Rock Park and Forches. There are others in town as well, such as the newly installed one by Summerfield Stores. Our website provides a fuller list of all the available local sites. These devices are lifesaving, and although each one contains full operational instructions, its always worth taking the time to learn more about how they work by going online.
UPCOMING EVENTS
We’re going to focus on our community this month and in particular look forward to a new initiative with our partners One Barnstaple. Going forward, Wellbeing Wednesdays will offer our community a regular day of activity and connection. We will be working together, alongside Barnstaple library, to focus on health and wellbeing.
There are a host of activities planned, including our regular Community Cafés at The Shambles. These will continue on the first Wednesday of every month in conjunction with Elder Day. Normally these will take place between 12 noon and 2pm, with the Council team and some of our elected Councillors attending, together with various guest organisations. Not only do these events offer useful and helpful information on a variety of topics, but they also provide a safe and welcoming space, with soup and hot drinks provided. Please do pop in for a chat, find out what’s happening in your community and engage with our team and your Councillors.
On the first Wednesday of every month, we also join with Age Concern Barnstaple and North Devon for Elder Day. Specifically aimed at helping our community elders we will be supported by a team of volunteers to help with navigating the town, accessing services or simply providing ‘company with a cuppa’. These will take place across the various locations offering cafe sessions. We will update further details on our own website and facebook page.
Additionally, each Wednesday Barnstaple Library will be hosting an informal drop-in “chat cafe” in their foyer, between 10am and 12 noon.
Other events under the Wellbeing Wednesday initiative include the popular Chair Yoga Sessions which take place as part of the Library event. The space used is easily accessible to all and there’s a minimum donation of £3 to join in. Again, further details and contact info will be on our website and facebook pages.
Last but not least, the Wednesday Wanderers are scheduled for the afternoons and meet at 2pm in the Library foyer. This is a friendly and welcoming group aimed at any over 55’s who wish to join in. There will be strolls around local historic sites and green spaces and the scheme provides an ideal opportunity to connect with others and make new friends.
Indeed, all the events planned under the Wednesday Wellbeing initiative have been carefully thought out by our partners at One Barnstaple, and all are aimed at providing the help and support which our community needs. If you’d like to volunteer at the Wellbeing Wednesday Cafe Sessions or come along to talk about the service, group or organisation you represent, then please contact our Community Developer Ella via ella.mccann@barnstapletowncouncil.gov.uk
Things are a little quieter on the Heritage and Events front this month, after the teams had a very busy pre-Christmas period. One announcement though is regarding a symposium planned later this month to be held at the Guildhall. Led by Dr Sadru Bhanji and Dr Todd Grey it’s to accompany the museum’s exhibition Barnstaple Prisoners: Unveiling Barnstaple’s Victorian underclass 1867-1877.
On the subject of the Heritage team, we were sad to see Sadie Brown leaving us for pastures new. Our loss is the British Museum’s gain, as Sadie is taking up an exciting new post in London. We have really enjoyed working alongside Sadie, thank her for her hard work, and wish her all the very best with her new venture.
Town Clerk Chronicles
This is my first opportunity to communicate with you all in 2024. Belated greetings to everyone for the New Year.
I’d like to start with a little reflection on what was a very busy December, indeed a busy end of year in general.
Following on from the successful Light Switch On at the end of November, we had several events during December, including a major exhibition at The Guildhall. Focussing on the history of rail transport in our area, over a thousand people attended during the four-day period. This was most pleasing to see, and a testament to the hard work put into making the event a success. I’d like to thank our Heritage team and all those who contributed in a variety of ways. We had some very positive feedback from attendees and the consensus is that our Guildhall exhibitions are very well received. That is encouraging to hear, and we are always open to ideas on exhibitions and displays for the future. Both the Railway Exhibition and the previous Maritime version, have shown that our community are keen to engage with their local heritage. Indeed, many came forward to share their own stories and provide mementoes and artefacts for display. When our local community gets involved like this, it gives a real sense of purpose to our commitment to work with, and for, the people of Barnstaple.
So much was achieved in 2023, with the funding of various projects and events spanning across our Community, Heritage and Estate teams. I am very much hoping that 2024 will see further constructive and positive projects come to fruition. On a general note, we are about to set the budget for 2024/25. I will be able to provide more details on that in our February Newsletter, but it’s fair to say that in considering the budget, it is always a delicate balance between aspirations and hopes on the one hand, and realism and pragmatism on the other. It’s a balance we take very seriously, and aim to achieve for the benefit of our whole community.
One decision we have been able to make recently concerns repairs to, and restoration of, The Guildhall. A few have commented that the public façade of this vital and precious asset has been looking a little forlorn in recent times. So, I am glad to be able to report that a contract has just been awarded for a full programme of external works. This will allow us to restore the building by repairing the damage and regenerating its overall appearance. We received a grant from Historic England as well as funds via North Devon District Council from their Future High Street funding scheme. Work starts in February and is scheduled to last for between 16 and 20 weeks.
I am always happy to hear that our Rangers are receiving positive support from residents and visitors. Their efforts to keep the town, and areas such as Rock Park, clean and tidy, don’t go unnoticed, and despite some very unfavourable weather conditions recently, they have been able to carry on the good work.
Finally, for this month, we have a couple of vacancies which have recently arisen, giving opportunities to work with here us at Barnstaple Town Council. One is for the position of assistant to the Heritage and Cultural Manager, where you will be helping to implement and manage the Town Councils heritage programme. The other is for a part-time Financial Assistant, to support the Financial Manager with the computerised sales and purchase ledgers and other subsidiary financial matters. Please visit the website at Barnstapletowncouncil.gov.uk for further details, and how to apply. I will catch up with you all again in February.
Rob Ward
Forthcoming Town Council Meetings
The remainder of January sees the Staffing plus Finance and General Purpose committees on Monday 15th, the Planning and Transportation Committee on Thursday 18th and a Town Council Meeting on Monday 22nd.
As a heads up for February, the Finance and General Purpose Committee is scheduled for Monday 12th, the Planning and Transport Committee, Thursday 22nd and there’s a Town Council Meeting on Monday 19th.
Your Councillors
Our website provides an excellent resource for information relating to your Councillors. There is background information about your elected Councillor’s political party, the ward they represent and full contact details so that issues can be raised directly with them. Please either follow this link: ‘town councillors’.
For any press/media issue please contact communications@barnstapletowncouncil.gov.uk
For any press/media issue please contact communications@barnstapletowncouncil.gov.uk
