WORKGROUP MEETING 15/11/05
The Christmas snowball continues to grow�. There are now 21 retailers signed up to the initiative with sixteen local community and voluntary groups ensuring there will be plenty of variety amongst the Christmas in Whitchurch events and activities.
Welcomed for the first time were Margaret (Bowen Technique Practitioner), David Court (Partner in the Beehive Farm-shop that will open its doors on 3rd Dec) and Lloyds Pharmacy (Jan).
The List of Retailers see here
Community and Voluntary Group activities are listed here
Latest Calendar of Events (italics means to be finalised)
Decoration of Town Centre - A coordinated use of white lights in shop windows - a set has been identified that can be reused out door when planning permission for Christmas trees is obtained (2006)
Town Centre activities � Saturday 3rd & 17th Dec will be the busiest days of this year�s Christmas in Whitchurch. On each day a variety of events and activities will be taking place across the town with shop keepers in costume, mince pies and warm mulled wine as potential added attractions in the Town Square on 3rd December.
26th Nov 11am - 4pm Testbourne Community School Craft Fair
1st Dec �til 1pm 17th Dec Library - �Create a star� (Xmas decoration competition for Children
2nd Dec 10 - 11.30am Christmas Country Market
3rd Dec 10am - 3pm Whitchurch Charities Christmas Sale
10am onwards Cats� Protection Group Christmas Tombola (Old Sale Rooms 6, Winchester St)
10am � 12noon Grand Opening of new Beehive Farm shop � including Christmas Hamper draw (customer donations to Charity - potentially MND - Motor Neurone)
10am � 3pm Children�s Shop Window Treasure Trail Competition � entry forms at participating shops or from the Town Hall
12.00 -3pm FREE �Reindeer� Pony & Trap Rides - from Town Hall (Donations to Naomi House)
2 � 5pm Candy Floss + Kiddies Ride (Wall�s Funfairs) outside Town Hall
2 - 5pm Whitchurch Primary School Christmas Fare
3 - 5pm Santa at the Silk Mill
4.00pm-4.15pm Town Mayor + in costume, (WADS+) from Silk Mill to Town Hall
Switch-on of Town Hall lights by the Mayor (Town Centre shop lights turned on by Christmas in Whitchurch traders)
Issue of 1) Photographic Competition and 2) Best Window Display Voting Forms
Winner announced of Children�s Shop Window Treasure Trail Competition
TBA ?? Ladies Singing For Fun
7th Dec 7.30pm Lady's Singing for Fun Carols
10th Dec Available
17th Dec TBC Combined Churches Carol Singing - Town Hall
TBC Salvation Army Band - Town Hall
TBC Fire Brigade Band - Town Hall
TBC Announce results of Best Dressed Window competition � present shield
20th Dec 11-3pm Drop-in event Silk Mill � Felt Making (�2)
21st Dec 11-3pm Drop in event Silk Mill � Silk Painting (�3)
23rd Dec 4-4.30pm Library � Twilight Tales for Christmas
(Fun story telling for children up to 8 � Mince Pies for Parents)
JB ([email protected]) needs firmed up details absolute latest Thurs Noon 17th Nov. This is to include intro paragraph (TC) and competition details (TC/CS) . John will include a best window display voting form in flyer.
The A5 flyer example was shown and will contain (on the inside pages) the names of Christmas in Whitchurch participants and the events/activities calendar. (Needs E&OE and disclaimer clause included).
Distribution courtesy of Old Paper Shop and Brockenhurst plus quantities to participating shops and in the Hinterland villages. Availability - needed by Friday 25th Nov. (TC will investigate HCC Info Points in Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester)
PC will organise Town Entry signs, DG will include (needs electronic version) in their Gazette and Advertiser adverts. TC will issue press releases and endeavour to negotiate a �Christmas in Whitchurch� feature (with adverts). Text will also be sent to Parish Magazine.
SC � It is not possible (H&S reasons) to have roast chestnuts outside their shop.
TC � To contact Walls Funfair re their offer to provide (at their cost/risk) a small funfair type kids ride outside the Town Hall on 3rd Dec (WTC need to OK too). (N.B. Site inspection now scheduled for late evening Wed 16th Nov)
SP to advise Cats protection League of their inclusion in calendar/participants, but stall to be at Old Sale Room not Town Square
CS suggested the possibility of �find the original Christmas card in the shop as basis for treasure hunt competition. Three themes for the Guides posters angels, bells and Xmas Trees. Clarity needed re how this will work and fit with proposed �We�re supporting Christmas in Whitchurch A5 posters from John B)
ALL - Lloyds may offer incentive (discount) for 3rd Dec, other retailers asked to think of �incentives� and to ensure windows contain gift ideas. Please advise in order to be included in flyer.
HT to contact Singing for Fun and other singing groups re possible support to 3rd Dec Town Square events
HT to make contact with WADs via Paul Nethercott and SP via his contact to try to confirm their involvement and understand the possibilities re costume use.
SP/TC/HT to agree on prizes for competitions (offers currently received from Brockenhurst, Newbury Building Society, Old Paper Shop, Somerfield and Beehive Farm Shop and Lloyds Pharmacy)
DC to confirm possibility of Mike Robinson (Celebrity Chef) presence at Beehive Farm Shop launch on 3rd Dec.
TC to confirm to WA trustees outcome of discussions with HCC/BDBC legal groups which will confirm disclaimer and DPA clauses needed on such as competition forms (done!)
Everybody formally thanked by Stewart and Tony (and by Harriet for WA). No further meetings planned, updates will be via YAHOO mailing list or word of mouth.
p.s. Andy (White Hart Hotel) has offered one of its windows for the purpose of Christmas in Whitchurch posters and/or notices