NEWS

COMMUNITY CUP PRESENTATION AT CHAMBER AGM

At the Annual General Meeting of the Ringwood Chamber of Trade & Commerce, held this week at the Ringwood Conservative Club the the Chamber Vice President Belinda Charlton presented the Geoff Eales Cup for "Outstanding Contribution to the Business Community of Ringwood" to Nigel Welsh of Ringwood Brewery.

In accepting the trophy Nigel Welsh said that he believed that the Ringwood Tourism Society of which he was a member and the Ringwood Chamber of Trade and Commerce would in future be working in tandem to promote the business and tourism interests of the town, as it was obvious that both organisations had similar aims and objects.

Susan Carter of DEFRA, the Chief Executive of the New Forest National Park, was the guest speaker talking about how the Park will affect Ringwood business.

She said: "That the park status would be attracting more people to the area and increase tourism, and help protect the town's natural charm and the surrounding area."

Vice President Belinda Charlton, who chaired the committee in the absence of President Nicki Wood, spoke of the efforts the Chamber was making in representing the business community over the parking problems in the town, the attempts to improve Christmas Trade with better lighting and late night shopping. The introduction of a Chamber Discount Card and of informal networking evenings where the Chamber could discover how they could best represent the views and needs of the business community.

There was a debate concerning a united advertising campaign for the Town which will be more fully explored.

The meeting ended with a talk from Howard Goodship of Edward Jones on the Current Financial Climate and the Mayor Michael Thierry congratulated Belinda Charlton for the work she had done in promoting the town and spoke of a strong and invigorated Chamber Committee which was moving forward with confidence.

From: Belinda Charlton, 01425 473813 www.bcapublicrelations.co.uk

22 October 2004