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.
Town Clerk Chronicles: March
This month I’d like to talk about a number of recent projects and events, all aimed at improving our town, via development and community engagement.
The project to renovate the Guildhall is ongoing and progressing well. Thankfully, to date, the work hasn’t presented too many challenges beyond what you might expect for a 200-year-old building. However, it has thrown up one or two things we hadn’t bargained for.
On exploring the rounded dome at the top of the building, known as the cupola, we found the old bell that we believe dates back to 1716. The last record we have of it being rung was in the 1980’s. Our contractor is looking to restore the bell, along with the mechanism that goes with it, so it can once again be used for significant civic and ceremonial events.
On closer inspection we also found that the crest at the top of the High Street apex needed further restoration and tlc. Being able to get up close to parts of the building that are challenging to access can be quite revealing, showing things we would never normally get to see. Each new discovery brings about its own set of problem solving, aimed at making sure all is restored safely and securely.
Other work projects around the town include further work on Rock Park, the planting of trees, the installation of new public benches and the continued clean-up of our streets and paths. Whatever the weather throws at our Town Rangers, they always show great fortitude in carrying out their tasks.
Recently, along with our Mayor, Louisa York, I attended the inaugural meeting of the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance. Its key aim is to promote the reopening of the Barnstaple to Bideford line. Public transport is hugely influential to local and regional economic development. The success of the Tarka Line, with nearly 900,000 journeys in 2023, shows just how willing local residents and visitors are to use and support it. Many share the view that a restoration of the line linking our two main towns would bring further benefit to our area.
Finally, I’d like to say a few words about International Women’s Day celebrated on 8th and 9th of this month, and the tremendous work our Community Developers Rosie and Ella did in supporting events, over the two days. These took place in the Library, Guildhall and Pannier Market, with the performance stage in the courtyard of Down the Rabbit Hole providing the venue for several live music acts, as well as talks and speeches aimed at highlighting various issues.
Most of the activities were well attended and the feedback we received expressed how inspirational they felt the event was. Discussion panels covered subjects including women in business and local government, and women in sport. There were also speeches and discussions highlighting issues around domestic abuse. On the Friday there was a quiz which reflected many of these issues. Indeed, there was a whole round of questions which alerted everyone to the awful reality of our domestic abuse statistics. Not the sort of questions you might normally find at a quiz, but a very creative way of highlighting such a serious issue.
Skate Molton put on a special event in the Pannier Market which proved really popular, with a variety of skateboarders and roller-skaters enjoying the facilities provided. The Pannier Market also saw hula hooping, Yoga and a gardening workshop .
It was a very successful weekend, and one we were proud to engage with and support. I will catch up with you all again in April, by which time the clocks will have gone forward, and spring should truly be here.
Rob Ward
Town Clerk Chronicles: February
January seemed a particularly long and challenging month for many, and you can sense a little spring in the step when February comes along. Event-wise, it is traditionally a quiet month for us and a welcome respite to the hurly burly of Christmas and New Year. Behind the scenes though, it’s business as usual at the Council, with our regular schedule of Town Council and Committee meetings. The most important decision in January is agreeing the budget for the next financial year. The Town Council is required by law to prepare a budget to calculate its precept requirement. The budget must give details of planned expenditure for the financial year, ensuring that financial resources are aligned to the priorities of the Council.
The Town Council provides local services for Barnstaple residents as your first tier of Local Government, and owns and manages a wide range of facilities and services on behalf of the community. This includes Grants to voluntary organizations, community and heritage activities, the Guildhall, community buildings, maintaining open spaces, Rock Park, the playground and football pitches.
A precept of £1,364,646 was approved, which is the equivalent of a £193.98 per annum, a 40p per week increase for a band D property. This is collected as part of your Council Tax. A full list of the activities and details of the budget are available on our website.
Over the recent weeks you may well have seen members of the Town Ranger team maintaining the roadside hedges and vegetation from Eastern Avenue, Barbican Road and Alexandra Road, and around the Bus Station and TA roundabouts. This is a responsibility that the Town Council took from Devon County Council about 8 years ago and will continue to undertake, both for the safety of road users and to maintain the appearance of the town. A local resident contacted us this week to say ‘The central reservation and areas along and around the inner relief road are fantastic now that BTC rangers have trimmed and tended them.
Thank you!
Town Clerk Chronicles: January
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
Town Clerk Chronicles: December
Communicating and engaging with our community is a vital part of the Town Council’s role, and we will continue to resource this moving forwards. It’s a while since we’ve published a regular Newsletter, and even longer since Barnstaple’s Town Clerk had a regular column in our local press. I would just like to say a quick word of appreciation to those who have responded so positively to this new initiative.
This month I will reflect on what was a very poignant Remembrance weekend. Conflicts around the world are very much in our thoughts in current times, and it’s fitting that each year we pause to take heed of the many who have lost their lives.
Remembrance Sunday saw a large number of wreaths placed at the War Memorial, whilst those gathered stood solemnly to pay their respects. I thought the moment when the ‘last post’ was played really stood out this year, with the notes echoing around a silent but packed Rock Park. Despite the inclement weather, there was an impressive turnout, with the North Devon public continuing to show their support for this annual event
A word also on the Children’s Remembrance Service which took place on the preceding Friday. We are so pleased to organise this special service, attended by children from most of the local schools. A lot of thought and effort goes into the making of their hand-made wreaths, and the children’s service plays a vital role in maintaining respect through the generations.
As the December days have ticked by, our thoughts have turned to the festive season, and I was glad to see so many turning out for the annual Christmas Lights Switch On. A big thanks to Jade Kingdom for illuminating our town! I would also like to thank the Town Council team for their efforts in organising this event. We are always pleased to receive feedback and any thoughts on how we might improve these occasions in future years.
The event also marked the first of a series of late-night shopping on Thursdays, through to 22nd December. Local retailers will be opening their doors later than usual and many Barnstaple car parks will be free to use. It all goes towards helping our local businesses and traders, who we are keen to support.
On a more general note, Barnstaple has seen some major developments these last few months, with others likely to come during 2024. The end of November saw the opening of the newly refurbished Pannier Market, instigated by our colleagues at North Devon Council. We were pleased to collaborate with this, and the town as a whole always benefits when our local representatives and tiers of government co-operate with each other.
There has been some pleasing feedback recently regarding the ‘look’ of the town, in particular from residents noticing the cleanliness of our streets and pavements, as well as the various floral decorations. This is a good example of how local councils and stakeholder groups can come together for the benefit of the community. A note of praise here for our own Town Rangers, who continue to work hard for the wellbeing of the town.
In the New Year, I hope to be able to share some positive news about further developments in Barnstaple. We will no doubt continue to face many challenges, but we look forward to 2024 with optimism. Meanwhile, I wish everyone a joyful festive season and will catch up with you again in the New Year.
Town Clerk Chronicles: November
I’m hoping to do a regular column for our newsletter, of which this is the first.
It’s pleasing to see all the activities that have been taking place this last month, and good to hear about the ones to come, in what will be a busy month for us. I won’t repeat all that has been going on here, as it’s well covered in the rest of the newsletter. This month, I’d just like to briefly mention our overall vision and strategy, as well as highlight two of our valuable assets.
We serve approximately 24,000 residents and have 24 elected Councillors. Our overarching goal is to ensure that Barnstaple remains a thriving, healthy, inclusive and attractive place in which to work, live and visit.
If you are ever unsure which tier of local government to contact, please visit the website, where links will inform you of the responsibilities and activities covered by North Devon Council and Devon County Council. We are always happy to help and guide you to the best resource for your enquiry.
I’m glad to be able to confirm that a fuller version of my Town Clerk Chronicles will now be published in the Gazette on the first Wednesday of every month. That will give me an opportunity to summarise what’s in our newsletter, comment generally on BTC matters and give those who find online access challenging a chance to keep in touch with events. Communication is key to us fulfilling our role locally, so it’s something I’m pleased to be able to do.
This month, amongst other things, I’ve mentioned two of our prize assets, The Guildhall and Rock Park. The latter remains a key facility and an important focal point for the town. We invest a lot of time and effort in looking after it and welcome suggestions and ideas on maintaining and improving it. We know many hundreds of people visit the park each week.
Historically, The Guildhall has always been a vital asset for the town, and it remains so to this day. We will be embarking on some major refurbishment in due course, and I’ll talk more about that when further details become available. In addition to the regular Town Council meetings held there, it is also used for a number of public activities and events.
Lastly for now, I must conclude by thanking everyone for their tremendous support for my bike ride. I set off with my son Daniel and daughter Rebecca from Land’s End on 16th September and we arrived at John O’Groats on 5th October as scheduled. It didn’t start out as a charity bike ride, but it became an opportunity to raise funds for the Mayor’s charities, and I’m thrilled we could do so.