Holbeach cemetery chapels need urgent repair. The pictures of these buildings shown on the   photos page show them in their former glory. The committee to raise funds for this work  have asked us to publish the following statement:

HOLBEACH CEMETERY CHAPELS STEERING COMMITTEE

 Chairman Chris Penney

Secretary  Jenny Worth

Committee  Members  -  Canon John Wickstead

                                        Councillor Christine Smith

                                        Councillor Rita Rudkin

                                        Councillor Terry Harrington

                                         Lady Taylor

     Janet Prescott

 The aim of the Committee is to become a Buildings Preservation Trust and then register as a Charity and Limited Company in order to attract grant money to refurbish the Holbeach Cemetery Chapels.

There will be a display in All Saints Church during their Arts Festival 21^st – 25^th September showing the history of this listed building with photographs of the Chapels past and present and some of the graves showing the family history of some Holbeach residents. The display will be manned from time to time so do come along and give us your ideas for a name for the Trust and any possible use we could put the Chapels to, once refurbished.

If you are interested in local history and also have loved ones laid to rest there, we hope you will give us your support in our efforts to repair the chapels which cannot be demolished. 

FORUM BUSINESS.

Minutes of the last meeting.

AGENDA for the meeting of the Holbeach Business Forum 6.00pm (buffet) for 6.30pm Thursday 9^th September at the Chequers Hotel Holbeach

1. Attendance and apologies
2. Minutes of the previous meeting

-          To approve the minutes of meeting of 10th June (attached)

3. Matters arising from the minutes and correspondence not otherwise included on agenda
4. Reports

-          Chairman

-          Secretary

-          Others

5. Town Centre Partnership

-          To discuss the response to John King’s offer and review action to be taken.

6. The Holbeach Card

-          Presentation on the possible introduction of a Loyalty card for use by members and review the undertaking of a survey of all members

7. Christmas Fair –

-          Update from the Christmas Fair committees and agree possible sponsorship by Holbeach Business Forum and the form it should take.

8. Business to Business meetings

-          To receive an update on the current position

9. Financial Report

-          To receive a statement of the current financial position and the effect on outturn of decision made at meeting

10. Any other business

Minutes of the Holbeach Business Forum Meeting 10^th June 2010 6.30pm.

(at The Chequers Hotel))

Present:. A. Hawkins, R. Larner, A. Wrotchford, P. Foyster, I Braid, G Johnson, D Ashwell, P Wright, M Clare, R Nicholas, D Wilkinson, J Lovett, Joy Lovett,  G Hawkes, P Limmings, A Inns, F Biggadyke, N Worth, C  Rudkin, A West, R Laddbrook, G Harris, J Harris, P Bryant, P Flett

1.       Apologies received: Style Roses (Margaret), J Worth, R Rukin, G Rainsforth, S Ha, P Eristone

2.       The minutes of the previous meeting were read, P Foyster & N Worth proposed they be accepted as a correct record and a copy; they were signed by the chairman.

3.       Matters Arising:   None

4.       Correspondence: 

1. From Lincolnshire County Council -  Update on waiting restriction changes in Holbeach
2. From Nick Worth  -  Extended opening times of Boston Road Car Park
3. South Holland Boxing Academy  -  Unavailability of Academy Car Park  (access being reviewed by N Worth &  D Ashwell)
4. South Holland District Council  -  Free business training for retailers

5.       Treasurers report: R. Larner said we now have 72 members signed up for this year and there is £1750 in our bank account.

6.       Secretary Report: A Wrotchford reported that he is still receiving completed Business Forum Questionnaires on the future of Holbeach and will analyse them before the next meeting.

7.       Internet Coordinator report: P Foyster said the Forum Website www.Holbeach.org.uk is getting around 80 hits per week; he also asked that member keep him informed of their latest email address. N Worth also mentioned the new community web site at http://www.holbeachcommunity.info A Wrotchford has used the contact pages on this web site to try and amend the incorrect Business Forum details they show.  He has had no reply from them or success in getting the information changed.

8.       Chairman Report:  A. Hawkins thanked everyone for attending.

9.       Town Centre Partnership:  A Hawkins updated the forum.  The partnership has positive support from Mr John Hayes MP and a part funding offer from Mr J King; but at the last partnership meeting it was apparent that there are current local/political funding uncertainties/difficulties, therefore the project should be put on hold until definite funding can be achieved.

10.    Parking & Traffic Lights:  N Worth updated the forum on the improved opening times of Boston Road Car Park and the possibility of contacting the Ombudsmen to see if opening times can be further improved.  Most members continued to express concerns about the queues at the traffic lights, D Ashwell reported that this can occur when the lights are affected in inclement cold weather.  N Worth said he was pursuing his enquiries at county level to have the timings of the lights improved to manage the traffic flow in a better manner.

11.   Vandalism:  There was a general concern about vandalism; especially with isolated groups of teenagers and the damage being caused to Carter’s Park and Town Centre Toilets.  D Ashwell and I Braid informed the forum that the police were endeavouring to target the few who are perpetrating these activities and are having some success.  They asked all members to keep reporting any incidents, but also pointed out that on some occasions an immediate response is not achievable due to the availability of their policing resources.  The police welcome the fact that some members said that they would continue to keep an eye on specific areas and inform them of any vandalism taking place.  N Worth mentioned that with the success of the local Boxing Club and the anticipated opening of a teenage drop in centre, the level of vandalism should be reduced.

12.   Christmas Fair: J Harris reported that the fair will take place on Sunday 12^th  December 2010 and that they are looking for the continued support of the forum and volunteers to assist in organising and running the fair on the day.

13.   Business to Business Meetings:  A Wrotchford put forward the proposal that interested forum members could meet on alternative dates and times with the express idea of creating and sharing business amongst each other.  Several members expressed an interest and they will be contacted with a view to organising and setting up some meetings. 

14.   Any Other Business: 

1. N Worth mentioned that a baker is looking at one of the vacant shops with the view to setting up a business in Holbeach.
2. N Worth and T Bryant stated that the traffic roundabouts on the outskirts of Holbeach could be sponsored by local business; this would ensure they are planted/maintained in better condition and the sponsoring business can advertise on them. Costs are £1500 for the 1^st year and £1000 a year subsequently; an island could be sponsored by more than one business with the costs and advertising then shared.
3. G Hawkes reminded everyone about Business Link and that he is available for business reviews and consultation; all of which are free.  He can be contacted at  07769 235 311 / Granville.hawkes@businesslinkem.co.uk
4. R Ladbrook and other members expressed concern about pavement cleaning and blag rubbish bags left lying around town.  Parish council members present said that this would be brought up at their next meeting.
5. P Foyster and other members expressed concern about the way the South Holland District Council seem to be spending more money per capita in Spalding than in Holbeach.  N Worth and F Biggadyke said that as elected council members they are pursuing changes to this at the district council level.

       The meeting closed at 7.45pm

The Civic Society, who are Forum members,have asked us to publish the following:-

There is a training day from Heritage at Risk Lincs on 25th September, Details from the Society.

Holbeach Civic Society. Meetings open to non members, Autumn 2010. 

Thursday 5^th September – guided tour of Fydell House & The Guildhall, BOSTON.

Ring Roger Taylor to book (362016)

Saturday 25^th September- Introduction to becoming a Heritage Steward. Volunteers wanted! Come to the Reading Room at 10.00am to learn about it.

Thursday 7^th October – talk by Nicholas Watts “40 years Counting Birds in the Wash”.

Thursday 4^th November – talk by Tim Wayman “Into the Interior in Malawi”

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LIBRARY.  To save space, old minutes and other items published here are available as Emails. To retrieve a copy please Email the co-ordinator.

1. Letter from Wrights Properties Ltd. regarding redevelopment in Holbeach.

2. Notes from Civic Society.

3. Old minutes of meetings.

4. Constitution of Forum.