PRESENT:

APOLOGIES:

2. Sarah reported that the Spooky Halloween event on the Square on Saturday 30th October had been a fantastic success with hundreds of children in fancy dress and even some parents. Members of the community had donated apples for the apple bobbing. Halloween competition winners have been notified. It is hoped to repeat this event next year. John Thompson has offered to provide lighting if needed next time. Due to the large number of entries for the Halloween lantern a table to be provided next time and also barriers. More help with the face painting also needed next time due to the high demand.

   STAR have also had an email from Lynne Purcell to let us know that she has arranged for Morris Dancing on the Square on Saturday 3rd September 2011.

3. We would like to welcome new member Lollipop Stop. Nigel reported that a cheque for £500 had been received from Sandbach Town Council for advertising (Signal Radio presence) at the xmas light switch on 20th November. A cheque for £405 was also received for the costs and expenses of various childrens competitions that have been running through the past few months

4. Christmas light switch on Saturday 20th November 4-7 p.m. Several local businesses will be running food and drink stalls on the High Street. Sandbach’s Calendar Girls will have a stall selling calendars for Cancer Research. Cllr Gill Merry and Cllr Barry Moran will judge shop window dressing competition during Saturday 20th November, winner to be announced sometime at Light Switch on. Dot Flint to get Prize cup back from last years winners St Luke’s Hospice Shop. Sarah has meetings arranged with the Sandbach Chronicle and Crewe Chronicle. Sarah will also contact Emma King Sentinel and Cheshire FM radio. Signal Radio will be broadcasting live from the light switch on 4 – 7 p.m. The High Street will be closed to traffic 12 – 9 p.m. although in practice this is probably 3 till 9 p.m. and only from the Square up to the top of the High Street whilst stalls are being set up and event is in progress.

5. Late Night shopping Friday 3rd December 4- 8 p.m. Organised by Cllr Carolyn Lowe in conjunction with STAR, there will be a food and craft market on Square and up High Street. Children’s roundabout rides on the small common, choirs singing on cobbles and another outside the Town Hall. This is the same evening as the St Lukes Hospice “light up a life” event at the community garden (opposite the fire station) and the Hospice bus “Luke” with Santa on board will be present. Round Table will be available to marshall the event. It is hoped that businesses will support this event by staying open. 30 stalls have booked but some more craft stalls would be welcome. If anyone has any contacts who they think might like a stall please get them to email Carolyn Lowe at carolyndlowe [at] gmail [dot] com Carolyn to email Market Manager John Leach to find out how many indoor market stalls are open.

6. Ruth Hindson and Lizzie Taylor are making stars for an advent competition to run from the light switch on to approx 3rd December. A star with a different advent picture will be distributed to 25 STAR members to put in their windows. Children then have to find these stars and note down which business has which picture.

7. Sue Brereton has secured insurance cover (£1 million) from Blackfriars Insurance for 15 events held within the town over the next 12 months, the first event being the Halloween event.

• Sue suggested an Events Committee to put together and coordinate a diary of events for the town. This would include members of the Christmas lights committee, Rotary, Rugby Club, Lions, and anyone else staging major events in the town. Sue is happy to set up a meeting possibly towards end of November.

• Larry Sharps suggested that we work with Community Rail and put something up at Sandbach Railway Station to promote and encourage visiting Sandbach. Gill Merry suggested we contact Cllr Graham Bell who is organizing a sign for Wheelock Wharfe – promoting Sandbach to canal users. The same type of sign could be adapted for use at the station. Community rail will be having a meeting with Sandbach Partnership on 23rd November and Sue Brereton will report after this.