The latest dispatch from the BEAR team.

There are exciting things afoot now, and still to come for Congleton. To involve all the residents of Congleton, in thrilling plans ahead for the enhancement of your town, this is an update about the latest progress. The BEAR team, [a group of local volunteers helping to bring about a new awareness of all that the town has to offer] is developing a unique identity for Congleton and contemporising its associations with bears.  By connecting positively with, amongst others, Pudsey and Animals Asia, it is planned to redress history.

 

The objectives of the BEAR team are to develop a distinct brand image for Congleton; enriching, awakening and reviving the town.  Their shared vision, together with Congleton Partnership and Congleton Town Council, is to make Congleton a happy, healthy and prosperous Community where people love to live, work, rest and play. 

 

The Website

The website is fast acquiring a very individual identity, & will be going live on 1st November, with the design and layout for the pages mostly completed, with photos of the team displayed; soon to be added are the members of the Congleton Partnership.  We need many more volunteers/resources to help with this very large rebranding project. 

We need great photos to add to the site & the team will be approaching local groups for their input

If you have any that you are happy to let the team use please contact Jackie MacArthur at Congleton Town Council on 01260 270350 or email jm@congletontowncouncil.co.uk.   This site will be an amazing resource for all in the town, residents and visitors alike, with a very comprehensive content.

 

Charitable Status

The BEAR group is currently investigating application for charitable status and funding, and is looking for a local volunteer for his/her expert advice on the subject.

 

Sustainability

At the team’s last meeting, Peter Aston, Leader of Congleton Sustainability Group, attended to present the objectives of his group, offering collaboration with both the Beartown website and PR.  He suggested a way of helping the BEAR team with a way to ascertain Resident and Employee Satisfaction.  [One objective is 95% Resident and Employee Satisfaction by 2012].  He had obtained a copy of Caerphilly’s Sustainability Index which can be studied & used as a model on which to base Congleton’s participation.  

 

PR

Deborah Barham Smith [of DBS Consultants: website] attended too, to ascertain ways in which she could help with essential PR.    Consultation has achieved certain  exposure to date without which things would not be as advanced; articles with pictures, letters and advertisements, have all contributed to the current position, however the group is aiming for even more clarity and public involvement.  The Chronicle will be invaluable for their support acting as liaison between the residents and the BEAR team furnishing ongoing progress reports. 

 

Congleton Partnership Team

Margaret Williamson presented for the Congleton Partnership Team.   Cheshire East Council is aware of the group’s Branding Manual and the team is working with their Recession Task Group on some of the branding issues.

Peter Mason, [Cheshire East Councillor and also a Town Councillor] is Cheshire East’s official representative on the Partnership executive.   Supporting the Congleton Partnership are approximately 150 people, all of whom are volunteers.  To have this number of volunteers is excellent and a real achievement.  Of the six groups which feed into the Partnership, the Bear team is one. 

 

Beartown on TV

Talks were held with BBC North West and Granada television companies and they have now filmed in the town, and short features on the rebranding  were used for the local news.  BBC’s Pudsey Bear has also been invited to appear at the events on the 14th November, and is coming for a few days on a very rare visit.

 

Street Banner Up-date: 

The ‘Go Digital’ banners come down at the beginning of December and it is intended to take over their fittings.   Liaison with the Chamber of Commerce was suggested regarding marketing opportunities connected with the banners, which will really help brand the town.  A few have already been sold, assisting in injecting additional colour into the town, and any business or charity interested can make enquiries to: jm@congletontowncouncil.co.uk

 

Buy Local thrust

A Think Local Buy Local leaflet is being produced and will include the Congleton Beartown branding. Also a replacement Christmas banner ordered by Congleton Town Council and Congleton Community Projects will include two bears which reflects the ‘Congleton Beartown, where friends are made’ strap line.

 

Christmas Lights

The Christmas Lights switch-on is 27th November, with a lantern procession through the town.   A stall has been booked for the BEAR team, as a great fund- raising opportunity.  One suggestion for raising money from the stall is to sell small teddy bears, [possibly Moon Bears to establish a positive link with Animals Asia] together with other appropriate merchandising still to be decided.

 

The Beartown Storybook

The Beartown Storybook is still in production so perhaps we can hold our breath for a new Harry Potter.

 

The Statue

At the latest BEAR team meeting, the subject of a statue was discussed; and it was agreed that a wide ranging public consultation would need to be carried out to find out exactly what local residents would want for the town. This is potentially a massive and very exciting project for the town.

 

Do Join Us

There is a need for many more volunteers as there are numerous gaps in the BEAR team’s expertise.  The possibility of skill sharing is also to be considered together with volunteers from other groups.  It is hoped that the invaluable support given us by the Congleton Chronicle will help to enlist some more ‘gems’ to join a fun, hardworking bunch.

 

A Bank Account for the Bear team has now been opened with some funds already donated from various sources.

 

A Beartown Garden at Tatton Park

In July 2010 it is intended to enter a Beartown Garden at RHS Tatton as another promotion for the town.

 

The Show Goes On

The team has many achievements to date such as the Beartown story & picture competition completed with more than 250 entries; the Teddy Bear’s Picnic in the Park with 500 attendees; a substantial group of dynamic volunteers recruited; the rebranding of Congleton Museum and an exciting website designed ready for launch on 1st October.

 

To volunteer or provide any other resources, please contact Dawn Gibbins on 01260 222128 or email Dawn@barefoot.co.uk