Trust Life: Dec 2012
Welcome back to life at the Trust and by the time you read this Christmas will be well and truly on its way.
We had the Torchlight Procession and the lights have been switched on giving a seasonal feel to the town, which I hope you all enjoyed.
At this point I would like to thank everyone who helped with the event, it was good to have new ideas to ‘freshen up’ the proceedings. With the additional help we were able to put on a much better show this year.
Of course we must also thank Santa, who returns year after year without fail. He sits patiently listening to the wishes of our little people, making a mental note of what they have asked for to make sure they aren’t disappointed on Christmas morning. That is of course providing they all behave themselves – that goes for the adults too!
I would also like to thank Amble Town Council for organising the Remembrance Day service. The Town Square was full of people wanting to pay their respects to our fallen and injured heroes – very moving. Amble Action Group also played a big part in tidying up the gardens, which looked immaculate – another big thank you.
As reported in the last Ambler, we have been successful in securing £10k from the Mary Portas scheme to deliver elements from the full application. After a vote amongst members of the Business Club, Amble Action Group and Town Council and the Trust (who collectively make up the Town Team) it was decided to take forward Events and Try Amble 1st campaign.
So while we are thinking about Christmas, why not try Amble 1st – by shopping locally you may just find something different, something unique rather than the run of the mill you find in every high street shop! And think of the time and money you will save – no fuel to pay for and no endless trawling around the same faceless shops, leaving a little extra time to yourself. Now that has to be worth considering.
Work progresses at the welfare and so far new windows and doors have been put in along with a new heating system, making the building a little more hospitable for the teams who use it. We just need to secure funding to sort out the pitch next!
Amble 2020, our latest strategic plan for the town, was launched on October 24th. The event was well attended and has since attracted interest from DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government), who are sending a representative to Amble to discuss challenges and opportunities. We’re determined to get things moving so the first meeting of the collective steering group, which consists of local business representatives, statutory agencies and organisations, will meet early in the new year. We will draw up a list of short, medium and long term priorities, which meet local needs and match current and forthcoming funding programmes. With public and EU funding remaining tight and nearly always requiring a private sector match, we need to be creative in our thinking. Obviously employment is high on our list, but there are some exciting opportunities opening up, which we hope to exploit.
Anyone wanting to see the document is welcome. Just let us know your email address and we will forward a copy to you. Your comments will be welcome and where possible/ feasible can be incorporated – we want this to be an organic process and not just a document that sits on a shelf gathering dust!
Next I would like to welcome our latest tenant in Fourways2. David Smailes moved in at the beginning of November, setting up his newly established business – we wish him well.
Our community shop Pride of Northumbria is doing well, receiving many orders for Christmas hampers. There are also some lovely ‘crafty’ present ideas, if you are stuck for something for those hard to buy for friends or relations!
While I am on a ‘thank you’ roll, I would like to continue by saying a sincere thank you to our staff and all volunteers. Everything you do is greatly appreciated.
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and hope we have a happy exciting new year ahead.
Julia Aston, Director, Amble Development Trust
julia@ambledevelopmenttrust.org.uk
