Bolster Wotton Meeting

30th October 2024

Following a meet up with the three other local District councilors I went to a well attended meeting for Bolster Wotton last Wednesday evening at the Chipping Hall along with Cllr Braun and Cllr Cohen. I took some informal notes.

Christmas under the Edge

The meeting kicked off with an overview of Christmas under the Edge outdoor event scheduled for 7th December, 4pm-8pm in the town centre.

Bookings are now being taken for stalls. To book please follow the link (Google account required) or contact via Facebook. If you are not into either of those email will work too! christmasundertheedge@gmail.com

Bloster Wotton - Year recap

Tony from Stroud CoT gave a recap for the years activities. Talked about the the 'mood survey' undertaken last January but that's old news. Stroud CoT has done work trying to get a Shopfront grant scheme in place with funds from the Market Town Vitality fund. Also, work to increase the profile of our market towns for tourists. Also talked about the Wotton Speaks survey, business opening hours was a thing. Um, as a shopkeeper with no staff who closes on Wednesdays to re-stock, I have a dilemma! More need to cater for families. Demographics are changing. Wotton has slow growth in footfall but losing it from GL12.

Summer Community Event

Fred Hulls from Good Food Kitchen & Bar was talking about a community event next August. The Long Street Summer Social, a community street party on Long St. Think music, kids activities, arts, stalls, food, drinks and more. Tentative date of Saturday August 30th 2025. A shout out for involvement. The more business, organisations and individuals who want to collaborate the better it will be. I didn't note contact details. I guess just pop into Good Food kitchen and speak with Fred. ;)

There's a launch party Saturday, 9th November, at Under The Edge Arts- Chipping Hall. Live music, dancing, drinks and snacks. Tickets come with free cocktail. https://www.utea.org.uk/event-details/wotton-block-party-launch-night-at-utea

Wotton Pride

Becki Britton-Griffiths gave an update for Wotton Pride which will run again in 2025, save the date. 13th-15th June. Contact details: wottonpride@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/WottonPride

Lighting

Light up Wotton, the theme for Christmas under the Edge, I think. For shopkeepers to decorate their windows. To be judged before the Christmas under the Edge event.

Stroud District Council have provided funds of £28,000 for all year round lighting for the town via the Market Towns Vitality Fund. I need to track down the info relating to this, it was mentioned briefly in a prior meeting, but not sure if I've got the funding right.

SGS Growth Hub

Jacob gave a quick chat about the Growth Hub. Various support for small businesses, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, events and workshops. Importantly they also offer Net Zero support. After some questions we realised that not many people understood what or where SGS was! A perfect lesson on use of acronyms when speaking beyond your normal audience. (The Police are terrible for this!) So, for clarity the Growth Hub is located in Stroud College (next to the Leisure Centre in Stroud). https://www.thegrowthhub.biz/stroud-our-services/

Stroud and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce

Tony as CoT Chair gave a brief talk. They reprsent 700+ businesses in the district. Most of the work that the CoT has done in Wotton is volunteer effort. Membership is ony £25 a year, please support them! https://www.stroudchamber.org.uk/

Wrap up

There was a open discussion and Andrea the Town Clerk gave an update on the Symn Lane Car Park and Town Hall scaffolding and on-going maintenance requirements. More details in the Wotton Directory from the Mayor.

• Contact me if I've jotted anything down incorrectly, especially dates!