Laurie Bell, Director of Communications, Wiltshire Council - To recap on the year’s events, discuss the effect the year has had on the community and to discuss how to carry on the legacy through 2013 and beyond.
Minutes:
Graeme Morrison – Marketing Officer, Wiltshire Council gave a presentation that recapped the Summer celebrations for the Jubilee and the Olympics, and discussed the effect the year of celebration had had on the community and how to carry on the legacy through 2013 and beyond.
Points covered included:
Key Events
• Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – 1 May.
• Olympic Torch Relay – 22 & 23 May included lunchtime stop at Clarendon College, Trowbridge.
• Olympic Torch Relay – 11 & 12 July.
• Festival of Celebration – 11 July, Hudson’s Field.
• Michael Johnson – 12 July, Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral.
The Impact – community
• Over 225,000 people attended the events – half the population of
Wiltshire.
• Hundreds of street parties, events, concerts and activities held across the
county.
• Atmosphere of celebration.
• Reason to bring communities together.
The Impact – economy
• Additional spend on events days est. over £1 million – not including
tourism impact.
• Hotels and B & B’s in Salisbury fully booked w/c 9 July.
• Visit Wiltshire website highest monthly number of visits since records
began in 2008.
• Substantial return on investment (£290,000).
The Impact – publicity
• Queen’s Diamond Jubilee event – local, regional, national and
international – advertising value £191,000 – circulation 100 million.
• Olympic torch and Hudson’s Field so far… local, regional, national and international – advertising value £890,000 – circulation of 250 million +.
• Footage of Stonehenge and Michael Johnson coverage – advertising value £2.7million – circulation 50 million + per day.
The Impact – culture
• Biggest partnership event.
• Robust resilience – keeping the county safe.
• Close working with area boards and town and parish councils.
• Great team building – over 1,000 Wiltshire Council staff worked the
events.
· Many people took on different roles and expanded their skills and
experience.
• Lasting relationships formed.
The Impact – legacy
• Need to build on the success of this year.
• Setting up a Legacy Board.
• Focus on;
– Health and sport for all – free swimming.
– The economy – series of business events and promotions.
– Communities – an annual event or activity in every area?
– Working in partnership to deliver more.
The Chairman thanked Graeme Morrison for his presentation and remarked on what a momentous year it had been for all in the Tidworth community area, and thanked Julie Tremlin for bringing to the meeting some of the wonderful banners that local children had made for the celebrations.
The Chairman then invited the various Councillors and representatives to recap on their community moments of 2012 and any plans for the future.
Mark Connolly - Tidworth Town Council advised that the Garrison and Town Council are working together for a community day next year and hoped that it would be an annual event and as part of a new community centre, it is proposed to have an olympic themed statue.
Owen White - Ludgershall Town Council advised that during the 2012 celebrations, hundreds of local people had enjoyed the events, which had fostered a great community spirit.
Now planning a Christmas Fayre and looking at extra Christmas lights for the forthcoming Christmas celebrations.
Ian Blair-Pilling – Netheravon Parish Council advised that Netheravon had been left with an enthusiasm to do more events and a confidence that they can do them.
Well done to the Area Board for providing the funds to help Parishes put on events.
Tony Pickernell – Tidworth Community Area Partnership advised that lots of great events had been staged by the Towns & Parish Councils during the celebrations.
Col Paddy Tabor – Garrison Commander advised that he hoped that as a legacy of the 2012 Olympics, the more local children were encouraged to use the excellent Garrison athletics track.
The Chairman thanked everybody for their contributions, and reminded the meeting that the local area had much to offer both in tourism and sports facilities.
It was agreed that the TCAP website would publicise any further community events staged by the towns and parishes.