OBM Summary Minutes from Thurs 9th February 2023 – Strutts Centre
Apologies; Simon Hudson, Robert Astick, Dave Higley
Attending: Roger Moors, Carol Brewer, Chris Toner, Melanie Parker, Phoebe McMillan, Richard Keighley, Peter Bowley, Donna Hamlin, Paul Williams (9 attending)
- Minutes from previous meeting were agreed.
- The group extended a warm welcome to Donna Hamlin (Assistant Head Long Row school) & Paul Williams. Donna explained that many of the children are very aware and interested in local and national news and is therefore very keen to get the children involved in some way. In particular, Donna is looking at creating projects that might involve the children using the 6 Big Questions feedback data, together with the information presented in the leaflet, and devoloping other ideas where they can participate. Additionally, Donna would like us to arrange a talk in school where OBM can discuss why it is important to save the mills, their relevance and heritage to the town and our role in getting the community involved and our voice heard. This would be an opportunity to link in with Belper North Mill with an educational presentation and possibly costume and hands on activity. MP to liase with Ian Hill.
It was clear from Paul’s introduction that he has a wealth of experience in communications, and as an author and editor. Paul explained how crucial it is to get communication and the right message across. It is hoped that OBM can benefit from such experience in the future. As this is a vital role, this highlighted the need, as agreed previously, for a future general call out to the membership to ask for input from anyone has relevant experience and skills in this area (in particular, social media and newsletter roles) and would like to help.
- Bank Account RM explained that this is likely now to be a Lloyds account and will need three signatories. In addition to RM and CB, another local committee member to sign, is still required and RM will make a direct approach in this regard.
It was agreed we should still keep the OBM donations post box available at events, for any generous contributions that may be offered to support ongoing costs.
- Leaflet is now printed and approximately 200 copies are now available to distribute accordingly. It was agreed that as they are not dated, and a valuable OBM resource, these would not be given as a general handout, but ideally to those people, venues or organisation with a specific interest. (There’s 300 more still to come from the total 500 printed). There is now a poster with the QR code for a downloadble copy of the leaflet, which is also available on the website. For events in person, as well as the QR code poster, there are A4 and A3 laminated copies of the actual leaflet to display and discuss. RM is keen to thank Derbyshire Tea for their support and MP will invite them to attend next OBM meeting.
MP took copies of the leaflet for the Library and the Cabin communuity venue in Campbell Street.
- Partners meeting 3rd February 2023 – RK kindly attended on behalf of OBM where there was interest in our growing membership and latest updates. Matters discussed in respect of the current planning status are not able to be shared in the public domain at this stage. OBM will continue to attend future meetings.
- Safety concerns regarding the East mill were raised, in particular with regard to the state of the windows and the possibility of falling glass. It was felt that whilst there had been several comments made verbally, no official communication or representation had been received that could be supplied with legitimacy to the partners at this stage. It was agreed that the question regarding concerns should be raised within the forthcoming March newsletter and that any formal concerns received, be fed back to the partners accordingly. It was also felt that there would already be a recognised route to take such concerns on board and to act, where possible, within the partners group. Primarily, it was felt that responsibilty for the safety of the building currently remains with the owners, FI.
- Future Events agreed were discussed as follows;
OBM to speak (RM) at Transition Belper Repair Café 25th February (MP & RM)
April Afternoon Tea (Derbyshire Tea) event at No 28, with talk by Richard Felix possibly 23rd April subject to availability (possible OBM branding on Derbyshire Tea boxes for sale) (MP)
OBM to speak at future Belper Historical society meeting – date tba (RM)
OBM presence at Belper Town Council summer food festival- date tba
OBM further public engagement event – date tba
Further calendar of events to be discussed at March meeting
Future AGM to be discussed (not covered in discussion but remains from last minutes).
RM to source portable folding NOBO display board for use at OBM events
- UPDATE!!! re Farmers market 11th February 2023 plans for coverage were agreed. CB, CT, MP attended with significant continued interest from the community. We received £10 in generous donations and signed up 25 new supporters, including 6 committing to active membership.
- Membership at time of preparing these minutes, (therefore including those signed up from Farmers market), stands at 445 subscribers, of whom 140 are registered as Members
FB group currently 327
- Social media presence was discussed and it was agreed that since the creation of the OBM FB page, traffic has increased considerably. RM formally offered sincere thanks to Pete for his generous time in setting this up and sharing his expertise. PB to meet with OBM members to discuss how to increase fb effectiveness.
PM suggested filming in River Gardens to create visual content. This was agreed as a good idea for the future.
- OBM Newsletter to commence March 2023, draft content issued and generally agreed. Until any other help to create the newsletter is in place, CB will continue to collate and provide content to PM who will finalise layout and send via mailchimp. Any photos of previous events for inclusion in the first edition, please forward to CB.
Content for March newsletter to be finalised at March meeting to publish by end of March.
We can still put a future general call out to the membership to see if anyone has experience and skills in producing a newsletter and would like to be involved.
- Next Meeting – Thursday 9th March 2023 – at Strutts unless otherwise advised
ACTION
- MP to liase with Ian Hill re Long Row talk
- MP & RM to confirm arrangrements for Repair Café event
- MP to invite Derbyshire Tea to attend next OBM meeting.
- PB to meet with OBM members to discuss FB progression
- RM to confirm 3rd signatory & open Lloyds Bank Account
- RM to source portable folding NOBO display board for use at OBM events
- CB to continue collating content for March newsletter – (please send any items to caroltoneman@aol.com)
2023 Meeting Dates (monthly, every 2nd Thursday)
February 9th
March 9th
April 13th
May 11th
June 8th
July 13th
August 10th
September 14th
October 12th
November 9th
December 14th