would you like to see more community focussed events in accrington

[garinda]

Originally Posted by annesingleton

I'm sorry to be so thick but why do these things cost so much? Are there not such things as sponsors? And even if not why so expensive, I'm rubbish at sums so please could I have a run down of costs versus potential short and long term profits involved?

I'm afraid we're at a loss now, re: costings, when it comes to things like the recent Christmas lights switch-on etc.

When H.B.C. was under Conservative control, we were inundated with oppostion councillors, who were only too willing to publicise the costs of various things.

Some were so helpful, to do their public duty, that some costings were requested under the Freedom Information Act, and then made public.

Since Labour gained control of the council in May, this information seems to have dried up, somewhat sadly.

We were hoping for a new era of openess, but alas this wasn't to be.

[Gordon Booth]

Originally Posted by annesingleton

I'm sorry to be so thick but why do these things cost so much? Are there not such things as sponsors? And even if not why so expensive, I'm rubbish at sums so please could I have a run down of costs versus potential short and long term profits involved?

Ann, I just looked at this, posted on the fireworks thread. Can't type it all again -finger sore but the costs are surprising.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Whalley has been doing a Dickensian Evening for years. I think it is organised by the Rotary Club and from what I remember of it(it is a few years since I visited it) it was well attended and successful.
Maybe the Rotary know how to winkle sponsorship money out of people.
It was certainly a characterful event.

[annesingleton]

Originally Posted by Gordon Booth

Ann, I just looked at this, posted on the fireworks thread. Can't type it all again -finger sore but the costs are surprising.

Thank you Gordon, I've answered you on the firework thread, please don't think I'm being deliberately controversial, I'm genuinely interested to know the answers to what I think is a very simple situation.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Ramsbottom is another place where they do excellent street markets.......they close off the main thourough fare....and the place is always well attended.
So what is the secret of their success, other than daring to be a bit different....to take a chance?
They have the wartime weekends, the music festivals.
Now you wouldn't think a wartime theme would attract youngsters, but it does....one of the favourite singers on the Wartime weekend is only 20 years old.
We don't know what works unless someone is brave enough to try it.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Ramsbottom is another place where they do excellent street markets.......they close off the main thourough fare....and the place is always well attended.
So what is the secret of their success, other than daring to be a bit different....to take a chance?
They have the wartime weekends, the music festivals.
Now you wouldn't think a wartime theme would attract youngsters, but it does....one of the favourite singers on the Wartime weekend is only 20 years old.
We don't know what works unless someone is brave enough to try it.

Same all over London.

I used to be heavily involved with the Jermyn Street Festival in St. James, and the Motcomb Street Festival in Belgravia, which were always well attended and succesful.

Things like the Pride festivals, where you're getting crowds of over 100,000 were a little harder to pull off.

[annesingleton]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Ramsbottom is another place where they do excellent street markets.......they close off the main thourough fare....and the place is always well attended.
So what is the secret of their success, other than daring to be a bit different....to take a chance?
They have the wartime weekends, the music festivals.
Now you wouldn't think a wartime theme would attract youngsters, but it does....one of the favourite singers on the Wartime weekend is only 20 years old.
We don't know what works unless someone is brave enough to try it.

I completely agree, I was going to give Whalley as an example, it seems to me that such events need not involve major public expenditure if sponsors are involved if necessary, but there doesn't seem to be a need for major cost implications in any case as far as I can see, people do not need C list celebrities being paid at major expense or major extras such as portaloos and other such health and safety nonsenses for an event which will last only a few hours at most but will bring positive publicity to the town - I'm afraid I'm getting back into grumpy old woman mode again!

[Neil]

Originally Posted by annesingleton

I'm sorry to be so thick but why do these things cost so much? Are there not such things as sponsors? And even if not why so expensive, I'm rubbish at sums so please could I have a run down of costs versus potential short and long term profits involved?

I was taking about one of the groups I am involved with that just spent £10,000 pounds on 200,000 crocus bulbs to help make Hyndburn look pretty in spring. HBC assisted by funding the machine planting of 100,000 bulbs in places classed as to dangerous for community groups to plant like on the Dunk roundabout. The other 100,000 crocus bulbs were planted by community groups all over the borough.

As for why it cost money , bulbs don't grow on trees

As for profits - there are none at all in monetary value what so ever. Just a warm glow inside that we made a difference.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by Neil

As for profits - there are none at all in monetary value what so ever. Just a warm glow inside that we made a difference.

No neil,thats the Whiskey.

[jedimaster]

a poll on here is a start and it is by no means the finish

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Alan Varrechia

That keyboard of yours strikes again John. You missed a one off the front of 47.

Hoy you can go off folk ya know

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Not convinced I know what will fly and what won't fly John. Like anybody else not everything would be my cup of tea but as long as it's not wasting money I'm all for anybody trying to do something.

I'd just like people to see for themselves why there is an element of apathy & dissalusionment amongst those of who try to earn our living down there. Spend a few days down there all day and people watch. Until the authorities do something to sort it out it will be very difficult to get anybody volunteering to help organise events in or around the town centre. It's not a pretty sight

Can certainly see your point Dave, but it always strikes me as funny that those in opposition on the council have all the answers, yet are clueless the minute they are in charge, the only problem with trying to introduce new ideas to the town centre will cost money which ever way you look at it, the knack is getting value for money which hardly ever seems to be the case