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There has been a lot going on - with AGM’s, winning awards and the inevitable holidays at this time of year - I’m not certain where to start in this report! Our second AGM was held in early June and I believe was successful. We updated members on activities, the Exec. Committee received feedback on where we could improve and the evening ended with a fantastic presentation from Helen Walker, Operations Director of “h2ope”, a social enterprise who are reintroducing hydro-electric power into Yorkshire. For those who weren’t aware, back in the 1920’s even Boroughbridge had its own electric company harnessing water from the River Tutt to make electricity for industrial usage mostly. One of the major pieces of feedback we received – and I think all voluntary and community groups receive this regularly- was that people want to know what’s going on and how they can get involved. So we have formed a Communications and Marketing Sub Group, who will challenge and assist the entire organisation to improve our communication with members and the general public. One of the first things is that we have managed to secure a presence at one of this area’s top attractions, the Boroughbridge and Aldborough Show, next Sunday 20th July- so hopefully see you there. My thanks to Barry McCallum for organising this and securing our presence. One of the presentations at the AGM was from our Ure Walks Through Time group, which I have reported on recently. I am amazed at the numbers of both locals and tourists who are now undertaking the 6 walks and we have had some fantastic comments on the quality and content of the accompanying leaflets. The Walks have been so well received that they were our contribution to the Yorkshire and Humber Market Town of the Year 2008 Awards – and last Monday, they were judged Category winner in the Environmental and Cultural section. My congratulations and that of the Exec Committee go to the group who pulled all this together and have put Yore Vision on the regional map. We are now one of 3 entrants in the final this Thursday - 17th – in Thorne near Doncaster so wish me and colleagues luck as we present our case alongside the other 2 finalists - from Richmond and Kiverton Park and Wales, in South Yorkshire.We are going all out to win – but if we don’t, we have done marvellously so far and are immensely proud of what the team have achieved so far. We are now in our 3rd year and it’s inevitable that groups lose committee members at some point – but it’s still sad that Elaine Dixon, Head at Boroughbridge High School has stepped down. I would like to express my personal thanks and those of the committee to Elaine, who has been our Skills leader and has worked tirelessly to ensure that we focus on this crucial topic over the past 2 years. Although, we have been unsuccessful so far in securing an enterprise centre which was one of our planks of the Business Plan in 2005, there is still an aspiration that we will eventually triumph and see one created in Boroughbridge. Elaine has represented the group in discussions with stakeholders and partners and ensured that our small voice has been heard; she has also ensured our links with young people are kept up to date. Also moving onto pastures new is Ian Stewart, Yorkshire Forward Delivery Manager for North Yorkshire, who is taking up a new role but along similar lines with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Ian has been fantastically supportive of Yore Vision – and the other market towns in the Renaissance programme - and has been a true “critical friend” which is what we have needed at times – he has been assiduous in trying to find ways to ensure things have happened, rather than other stakeholders who seem to constantly put obstacles in the way. Our thanks to Ian are small compensation for all his input -he has been instrumental in a lot of our projects getting off the ground – by often pointing us in the right direction - and will be a hard act to follow. We will miss Ian but wish him well in his new surroundings of Guisborough and East Cleveland. At our first Exec meeting post AGM last week, we re-elected our office-bearers and committee but we have some co-opted vacancies, which we will consider at our September meeting. We have had some nominations but always want to ensure we are representative of the whole community .If you are interested, please let me know over the next few weeks as it’s always good to get new blood involved. Finally, with reference to comments made in my last report around the youth centre at Boroughbridge High School and proposed developments. We have now raised the funding to produce a feasibility study and consultants should be appointed over the summer. Their remit will be to look at what’s possible and see whether we can accommodate enhanced leisure and community facilities on the school and Aldborough Gate sites. Consultation will take place with all the community and various organisations. Fingers crossed, that when they report back just before Christmas, they’ll have a present for everyone! Keith Ramsay
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