The Town Forum
Have you heard of the Kirkby Stephen
Town Forum?
The Forum promotes the quality of life and prosperity of the town and its villages, and the conservation and enhancement of its
character.
Throughout the year we co-ordinate and
promote activities and develop initiatives that meet with these
aims.
Membership of the Forum is open to all
residents and businesses of the Kirkby Stephen Ward. It is free.
Everyone is welcome and you can take on as active a role as you
want.  And if you have an idea to benefit the
area, they'd love to hear from you even if you can't get
to meetings.
The forum undertakes various activities that
may contribute to one or more of the following objectives:
- Promoting Kirkby Stephen as a centre
for shopping, business, leisure and tourism.
- Facilitating the physical enhancement
of the town and buildings.
- Attracting shoppers and visitors.
- Developing opportunities for young
people.
- Enhancing employment prospects and
counter unemployment.
- Encouraging loyalty in shopping
patterns.
- Securing grants and commercial
sponsorship in support of initiatives.
It works closely with the Parish
Council and Eden District Council as well as professional and
voluntary organisations for the benefit of our area, and in recent times has organised a string of events.
You may remember ‘Mad Hatters Day’
organised and co-ordinated by member Debbie Hylton.
 The Mad Hatter's Tea Party in the park. İMike Walker
The Frost Fair, December
2005 organised by member Steve Massam and his Fold Gallery
www.foldgallery.co.uk.
This gave us a new twist to Kirkby
Stephen’s Christmas event and turning on the lights, with street
entertainers, glows, ghost walks and the Abbie Lathe concert. Even
Santa had a make-over with a “Winter Palace” in Jubilee Park.
Help has been given to the Cumbria and
Britain in Bloom committee, Joan Johnstone, Moira Gaine and Vivienne
Littlefair. Everyone's efforts have been noticed throughout the town.
Working behind the scenes
The free “Where to Eat” leaflet has
been produced by Town Forum secretary Mike Walker to meet the needs
of visitors and to promote local establishments.
This was free of
charge for food outlets although the forum received some generous donations.
A lot of work goes on behind the scenes
in discussing various matters including understanding local
authority and funding bodies' structures and the training that is
available.
There has been the “Benchmark”
survey, and discussion of the findings of what visitors think of
Kirkby Stephen.
They love the toilets and Tourist
Information Centre but are not so keen on the Monday market. This
has led to the Forum agenda including the promotion of Kirkby Stephen’s
assets, the “Poetry Path” and Millennium Bridge, the countryside,
the church, the history etc. and how we can improve what we have.
What Now?
The Forum is currently talking about the
proposed cuts in the Tourist Information Centre budget and the best
way forward. A questionnaire is out asking for opinions and this will be useful in deciding the way
forward with Eden District Council. The community's voice will be heard.
There is a proposal that the Forum works more closely
with Appleby, with joint projects and the promotion of the Upper Eden
Valley to our mutual advantage. This could be very beneficial to both
towns that have a lot of common problems and needs.
There are the beginnings of a closer
relationship with Stainmore Railway Company and their future
development at the old station. More information later.
Plans are being prepared for a “bit
of a do”, St. Luke’s Fair, Saturday 27th October 2007.
A celebration of the history of Kirkby Stephen and its market
charter.
Similar to the two previous Charter
Fairs, I won’t let any secrets out but if you would like to be
involved or would like an indoor or outdoor stall to promote your
organisation or sell your wares let us know. We also need a Town
Crier for an hour or so. Contact Ann Sandell.
Christmas is on the agenda
A joint activity is planned with
Stainmore Railway Company and Santa Claus featuring the big switch on
of the town’s Christmas Lights on Saturday 1st December
2007.
If your organisation would like to take
part or you would like a stall in the Market Square or at the old
station contact Mike Walker.
The Forum is also discussing New Year’s Eve
with ideas of how the celebration in the Market Square can be
improved. Watch this space.
With all the press about carrier bags
and environmental issues a Kirkby Stephen shopping
bag is under consideration. Things are at the gathering information stage and hopefully you'll see this
happening next year.
If you would like the Forum to consider a
particular issue or view, get in touch.
So with lots to do and many things to
think about, anyone will be very welcome in whatever capacity.
Click here to see the Kirkby Stephen
Town Forum minutes.
And you can contact any of the
following officers through the Council Centre, Kirkby Stephen
Charles Hurst - chair
Mike Walker - secretary
Ann Sandell - Publicity
Ann Sandell
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