OBM Minutes – 20th July 2023 – Strutts Centre
Apologies; Dave Higley
Attending: Roger Moors, Carol Brewer, Chris Toner, Richard Keighley, George Henshaw, Melanie Parker, Simon Hudson, Phoebe McMillan, Antoinette Smith, Jill Walden, Samantha Wathen
RM extended a warm welcome to Jill Walden and Samantha Wathen
Minutes of 22nd June 2023 were agreed.
Action Points from previous minutes were discussed as follows;
- Next full Partnership meeting is Friday 21st July – updates from RM to follow to include latest news re consultation. Planning date of June 30th referred to on AVBC planning dates was not valid therefore no action had taken place.
- CB has looked at website and forwarded page amends to DH
- GH & RK have contacted Nottingham Trent Uni & University of Nottingham – awaiting response.
- GH not managed to pursue Dame Ellen McArthur – SW offered to look into this
- PM sourced quotes for window stickers as agreed last meeting (for Belper business/retail outlets) £30 per mtr plus 120 x 10 ml stickers for £90 at Go Apparel and is sourcing other quotes
- Alternative sizes of lapel badges discussed – RK obtaining prices for small badges with Go Apparel, SW will obtain details for company previously used for larger badges as an alternative option
- Latest generic Press Release completed & attached (JW to use this to compile brief media PR draft)
- RM confirms Pilgrim Trust not applicable to OBM as they only fund charities
- RM confirms OBM do not meet Herbert Strutt charity criteria
- RM suggested BTC maybe a source of funding – will pursue
- CB had contacted Pippa & George re Uni students but no response – will review when Derby Uni contact is made
- RM suggested AGM date be tied in with Members event late autumn – sat 18th November suggested
Planning Decision latest situation was discussed. RM contacted Adam Lathbury (DCC) regarding the latest amendment by FI. Obvious further anticipated delays now incurred as planning board now have to revisit the application in detail once more.
RM stated this is of benefit to the current developments underway to finalise a viable and costed Plan B
RM agreed the OBM website should be updated to show this latest amendment by FI. CB to draft for DH
Partnership meeting Friday 21st July will be attended by RM with updates re consultation and planning to follow. OBM will be key in publicising the online public consultation and information re communication guidelines will be formalised. CT had proposed putting forward the potential benefits of OBM meeting directly with FI. Committee agreed this as an item for RM to put to the Partnership group 21st July.
PM may have a contact via the Fit Pit gym for FI – PM to pursue details initially, then RM to contact FI
Communication re the forthcoming online consultation and how to get the message across a variety of groups was discussed. Transition Belper was suggested as a good opportunity. OBM will use this opportunity to gain maximum exposure and await guidelines re prermitted content for publication from DCC at 21st July meeting.
Samantha Wathen & Jill Walden introduced themselves and both bring invaluable skills and experience within Media, PR and communications roles. As Samantha and Jill have kindly offered their time to assist OBM in this vital role, this is very much appreciated. A communications sub group meeting will be arranged by RM to discuss how to create an effective way of working. Group to include RM,PM,CB,AS,JW,SW,SH – date/time to be agreed.
Linked In has progressed with AS making an initial start which in time will gain traction. As a result of reseach, connections and attendance at recent DCC seminar, AS is targeting various groups – heritage, eco, sustainability etc., with a view to establishing contacts and building those relationships. AS also mentioned connecting with other venues within the Derwent Valley Mills, linking stories and generating Member events and arranging visits to other relevant museums (i.e. Arkwright Museum Manchester).
The value of an OBM business alliance within Belper was discussed and a great start has been made by MP having secured an article to appear in the next Federation of Small Business regional newsletter for Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire. MP has had discussions with several local outlets (Nordicana, Clarks, Think Twice & Paul Terry plus Love Belper) all happy to collaborate.
Potential ideas involving local business with photos and social media posts and hosting a webchat was seen positively, but time demands make this difficult, therefore additional Members are needed to assist in this project and a Business sub group will be formed by RM, MP,AS & PM to take this forward. MP to arrange subgroup meeting.
Heritage publications such as Country Images and Derbyshire Life were discussed as potential media targets with newsworthy items such as the business alliance progression or consultation developments.
Artist collaboration was seen as beneficial to OBM and specifically in relation to the current exhibition by local artist and OBM friend Jenny Stevenson. This display has been directly inspired by the mills and is featured in No28 for the next few weeks. SH to liase with Jenny regarding any future OBM events. Exhibition is also open for viewing on 5th August for Belper Pride. It was suggested that OBM could also work together with Fleet Arts for various future projects. PM to liase with Ola Wilson.
OBM Member events were discussed as a way of engaging with our membership and getting more hands on help. This was referred to by AS as part of LinkedIn with events including museum visits (Silk Mill currently an exhibition of interest) or in house talks (Ian Jackson water power etc.) also being considered. As the AGM is required by the end of the year, it was agreed a joint AGM/Member event be planned for Saturday, November 18th, during the day. Possible venue suggestions included Strutt House ballroom if possible, or Nailers football club, both offering views of the Mill. It was suggested that Richard Felix (MP to contact) and Ashley Franklin(CB to contact) be asked if they would be able to speak at the event. PM to see if Fit Pit contact can assist with details for Strutt House option . CT to contact Strutt house. CB to contact Nailers.
OBM Membership currently stands at 596 subscribers, of which 226 are Members. 654 facebook followers.
A Volunteer Recruitment open day to be held at Strutts is planned for Saturday 16th September. OBM to consider having a stall – further details re cost of stall/any entrance fee to be confirmed by MP/CT.
OBM public facing Volunteers are vital and much appreciated. To ensure consistency in the content and manner that our message is delivered in person, it was agreed that OBM create a guideline document for volunteers to be able to reference and adhere to. RK kindly offered to draft this using attached generic Press Release as a basis for factual information. JW offered to proof read and edit as required.
Milford Tour offered by SH – a chance to look at the new interpretation boards and locality. SH to arrange optional dates.
Offer of AV equipment has been generously made to OBM by a friend of SH. SH to pursue as required.
EVENTS;
16th July, Belper Food Festival resulted in 24 extra subscribers with CB, CT,RK,RM,SH on duty plus a new Member, Jane McCarthy who did a brilliant job.
5th August – Pride – it was felt that on this occasion, the market place might be a better location for OBM. (Pride March gathers from 11.30am and starts at 12.00 from the market place) PM to check with Pippa. If a gazebo on NO28 ground is not possible, the suggestion is for OBM team to be mobile in market place/memorial gardens/town centre, with OBM liveried umbrellas and clipboards. PM to source two red umbrellas and use stickers already being sourced. ALL – we need to have some OBM committee cover! We have kind offers of help from Members Anita Hallam -Jenkin, Sally Bull, Alison Gratton, Paul Hudson, Kate Stoddart.
Other; – it was suggested that a flag/banner be sourced, plus additional tee shirts from Go Apparel PM/MP to obtain quotes.
All Derbyshire Teas lealets have now been handed out. MP to liase with Derbyshire Teas re final batch availability.
University of Derby have confirmed their interest in working on a variety of projects with OBM. Robin Pepper, Knowledge Exchange Manager, Innovation & Research, at University of Derby requires some forthcoming available dates from OBM and he will coordinate with his colleages to facilitate a meeting at the Kedleston Road Campus accordingly. Robin will be joined by several of his colleages from various departments and academic subjects. OBM group will include CB, RK, SH and GH initially. CB to obtain dates from OBM & liase with Robin Pepper.
Newsletter is almost ready with final articles due within the week. Aiming for draft copy from CB to PM for early August publication.
NEXT MEETING DATE AGREED : – 6.30pm – Thursday 17th August – Strutts Community centre
ACTION:
SW to pursue Dame Ellen McArthur contact
SW to obtain company details for qoutes for alternative badges
JW to compile brief media PR draft for use when required
RM to pursue BTC as a source of funding
CB to draft website planning update for DH
RM to feedback re Partnership meeting results – consultation, planning, FI meeting
PM to pursue FI contact details re RM to set up meeting and CT to investigate ballroom for event
RM to contact FI subject to Partnership meeting consent
RM to suggest dates/times for Communications sub group team meeting for RM,PM,CB,AS,JW,SW,SH
AS to continue to develop LinkedIn relationships
MP to arrange Business sub- group meeting for RM, MP,AS & PM
CT/MP to confirm details re Strutts Volunteer recruitment day
RK to draft volunteer guideline document. JW to proof reead & edit
CT to contact Strutt House re ballroom option if (PM has details)
CB to contact Nailers re provisional venue for Members event
SH to arrange optional dates for Milford Tour
SH to pursue offer of AV equipment.
SH to liase with Jenny regarding any future OBM events
PM to liase with Ola Wilson Fleet Arts Manager
PM to source two red umbrellas and stickers for Pride 5th August
ALL to confirm Pride cover PLEASE RESPOND TO CB
MP to liase with Derbyshire Teas re final batch of leaflets
PM/MP to obtain quotes from Go Apparel for banner/flag & extra teeshirts
CB to obtain dates from OBM & liase with Robin Pepper at University of Derby.
CB to forward final draft of summer newsletter to PM
Next Meeting;
THURSDAY – August17th – 6.30pm STRUTTS COMMUNITY CENTRE