OBM Minutes – 22nd June 2023 – Strutts Centre
Apologies; Melanie Parker, Simon Hudson, Phoebe McMillan, Antoinette Smith
Attending: Roger Moors, Carol Brewer, Chris Toner, Dave Higley, Richard Keighley, George Henshaw
RM extended a warm welcome to George Henshaw
Minutes of 18th May 2023 were agreed.
DCC consultation process involving OBM is ongoing, with Georgina Greaves (DCC) confirming that all specialist target workshop group meetings have now taken place. Online public consultation is anticipated to be ready to launch by OBM by end of July. GG & RM to attend steering group meeting shortly and GG to meet with AMION business consultants for feedback. Further details plus link to online public consultation facility will be sent to RM when available.
A chance look at the AVBC planning website indicated there was an anticipated decision date of 30th June. This was not felt to be realistic and RM will investigate further.
Stats; 574 subscribers of which 216 are Members. 633 fb followers. 206 Instagram followers (no further update since May)
It was agreed that we should aim for 1500 signed up supporters by the end of summer.
Social Media; George Henshaw joined the meeting to discuss how he could offer assistance with social media and identifying/networking with other groups and ideas for publicity. George is a planning consultant and has active contacts in various capacities that could be useul in spreading the word to grow membership.
George and Richard will look at the possibilty of formulating an architectural competition or project to publicise awareness and widen/increase the membership demographic. Social media could be used to advertise this. BTC Herbert Strutt charity https://www.belpertowncouncil.gov.uk/herbert-strutt-charity.html was mentioned as a source of funds as a prize. River Gardens Tea Rooms was a suggested venue.
It was agreed that rather than seek to find one person to take on the social media role, George could assist as part of the existing group of contributors including CB,CT, SH, working on a plan to attract and appeal to different audiences. CB has contacted Derby University who have indicated an interest in working with OBM. GH also mentioned The Derwent Valley Trust as another connection https://www.derwentvalleytrust.org.uk/
RM mentioned contacting well known personalities that could be approached with a view to sharing time on their fb pages. Dame Ellen Macarthur, https://www.ellenmacarthur.com/ round the world sailor has a family connection with the River Gardens and GH agreed to expolore this opportunity.
Future publicity projects were discussed including an appeal to the artistic community for a workshop to create versions of the mill for display, plus a photographic opportunity resulting in an exhibition or future calendar. Also the idea of a light show or images projected on to the mill was well received.
University connections were discussed and GH, RK both have contacts who can be contacted regarding the architectural competition mentioned above. CB is awaiting further contact from Derby University re help with social media or other ideas. As Pippa & George have previous experience of working with students from Manchester University, it was agreed we would contact them for advice/involvement.
Triboard display has been gifted for use as required, via a friend of Ron Common, who has been thanked.
Finance – Foundation Derbyshire funds applied for £1200 – as general fund is heavily oversubscribed, our application has been assigned to the architectural fund and has been strongly endorsed, with very realistic hope for a positive outcome, although not guaranteed.
Ron suggested previously looking at The Pilgrim Trust https://www.thepilgrimtrust.org.uk/
for funding. GH also suggested Herbert Strutt charity managed by BTC.
It was agreed that we would not pursue the Public Liability insurance at this stage due to the costs revealed in the small print. OBM presence at local events would continue to be as invited guests at the Railway pub.
RK kindly agreed to look at supporting either the next batch of leaflets (MP has arranged for final Derbyshire Teas batch to be available) or to investigate costs involved in creating an enamel pin badge with OBM logo. This generous offer of support is very much appreciated.
OBM content to appear in U3a bulletin and possible speaker opportunity to increase membership – RM to draft – (U3a deadline is 12th July)
OBM NEWSLETTER; Summer 2023 (July?) items currently being collated by CB & RH
Member call out for assistance with social media & newsletter resulted in positive meetings with Samantha Wathen and Jill Walden. Samantha works as a press and communications professional who is looking to see if she can allocate time to help practically with publicity and communications generally (including fb). Plus, in the meantime she has kindly drafted a helpful strategy to assist going forward.
Jill has a vast amount of experience creating written content for Derbyshire Police and is happy to be part of the small group actively creating website content keeping it current and refreshed for uploading by Dave. Also happy to work on any ideas for newsletter content transpiring from the minutes, new information or articles of interest for publication. Initially, Jill has offered to look at the website and see if any content could be refreshed and made current (regarding older dates etc.,)
We will invite both Jill and Samantha to the next OBM meeting and thank them both for coming forward.
EVENTS;
16th July, Belper Food Festival (outside Railway, details tba) CB, CT,RK,RM volunteered so far
5th August – Pride – it was felt this was a very popular event and a good way of widening our appeal and fb sharing opportunities, therefore a presence outside the Railway was agreed
It was agreed we would put a general call out to members for assistance with forthcoming events to try to build larger core group to rely on for cover.
MEETING DATES AGREED : – 6pm – Thursday 20th JULY – Strutts Community centre
6pm – Thursday 17th August – Strutts Community centre
ACTION:
- RM to update group re GG re latest information following consultation feedback and steering group
- RM to investigate AVBC 30th June decision date
- CB to review website info refresh with input from JW
- AS to update re Linked- In profile next meeting
- RK & GH to liase re University contacts – competition/project
- CB to chase Derby University re indication of interest
- CB to send Pippa/George email re University student experience/involvement
- GH to explore contacting Dame Ellen McArthur re River Gardens family connection & fb share
- MP to update re liason with Federation of Small Businesses & Love Belper next meeting
- PM to update re contact Go Apparel re window sticker costing next meeting
- RM to draft content for CB to forward to U3a & investigate speaker spot
- RM to update re The Pilgrim Trust (funding source re Ron Common) & Adam Lathbury re any DCC grants available. Also investigate Herbert Strutt Charity funds source.
- Still need to agree AGM date possibly linked to any appropriate date for DCC/GG – RM to contact GG
- CB to invite Jill and Samantha to next OBM meeting
- CB/CT to mailchimp members re stall cover assistance.
Next Meeting;
THURSDAY – JULY 20th – 6pm STRUTTS COMMUNITY CENTRE