Firstly can I suggest that anyone coming to the blog for the first time gets up to speed by reading the first post, entitled "Where Did The Signs Go?" before reading this one. It will get you into the swing of things!
Secondly I'm amazed to find that in less than a week since this blog went live we have had over 350 visits from nearly 60 unique visitors who between them have made 14 comments. Thank you very much for that response. I sometimes hear the BMW's* say Bromyard people don't care, so that's nailed that lie! Can I invite the 46 visitors who didn't leave a comment to please do so on their next visit, not necessarily to show support for the views expressed here, but at least to show support for Bromyard. This forum can become a powerful tool to demonstrate to other media organisations (papers, TV, radio) and politicians and civil servants that Bromyard has opinions and is prepared to share and express them. So even if you just say "Hi", it all helps with the numbers.
(* BMW's = Bitchers, Moaners, Whingers)
I'd like to address a couple of good points raised by "Titus" and "Boogaloo" and invite any additional comments on these.
First question was why planning permission had not been sought for the signs rather than putting them up "illegally".
The impression received when the issue first came up was that this topic had been on the agenda for many years without anybody doing anything but talking about it. What was desperately needed was action rather than words otherwise any remaining shreds of confidence in our establishments would in my humble view have gone for good. I have observed in most instances (with one remarkable exception - the schools crisis) that the natural reaction to a challenge from many is to cuddle up, create a nice new committee and practice speechmaking.
So what happened was that something happened.
With hindsight the signs should have had planning permission applied for, they could have been better designed and with more consultation sought. But they were there for a while and although the "dark side" got them torn down I don't believe we are back at stage one. We are in a position to repeat the exercise and make it more successful this time and give the town what it needs.
In a few days time this blog will enable all interested parties to join a new discussion to positively decide how we resolve, once and for all, the issue of signage for the town.
Second question raised by Titus was "Isn't that what the Council is for?" My view on that question is a resounding "No". In my opinion the Council has a duty to provide whatever support it can to the town's businesses but the "marketing strategy" for the town's businesses needs to come from the businesses themselves and their representative organisations.
In the opening post I asked the question "Could the Town Council have done more to save the signs?" and that is a valid question but I don't think they could have acted much differently in reality. It was the County Council who could have shown rather more backbone on behalf of Bromyard businesses.
I am confidently expecting some serious help from the Town Council in understanding the procedure for getting the signs approved and reinstated and that is their role. It's up to the businesses themselves to state what is required to help them.
How might they do that?
Well the answer is truly not to create yet another talking shop. My view is that the Chamber Of Commerce needs to take on the mantle of mouthpiece for the town's businesses and drive the action for change that we need so badly. It needs to become more relevant, more inclusive and most of all more dynamic and action-based. And in case that seems too easy, it has to show this change in the next month or two or it will miss the opportunity.
As for the comment relating to "newcomers" needing to avoid offending "natives" all I will say is I wasn't born here but I do expect to end my days here and if that doesn't qualify me for having a go at improving things then we'll have to agree to differ! Equally my intention is never to offend even if do get a bit wound up!
So please, please provide some feedback. If you agree say so, if you disagree say so, best of all if you've a new idea throw it in the ring. Just click on the "Comments" link below and have your say. And please tell other Bromyard stakeholders about the blog and get them to join in.
The placing of the signs on the by-pass was a well meant attempt to publicize Bromyard And it worked in that it generated a lot of column inches in the press and got people talking in Bromyard. It was inevitable that they would go. They were illegal. Now we should make sure our Town Council get on with seeing that “legal” signs appear.
But roadside signs are not the only way of publicizing Bromyard. How many looking at this blog look at and support the Bromyard community website www.bromyard.info
The site caries a lot of publicity for Bromyard. Not least a regularly updated News Page. Take a look!
The site could do much more. It needs much more input of news and publicity from local sources. It is run by a very small team of volunteers – if you are interested in finding out how you can help contact editor@bromyard.info
Posted by: Graham | December 07, 2008 at 01:18 PM