Borders Heritage Festival & Borders Heritage Forum. Jedburgh Regional Meeting Minutes

Transcription

1 Borders Heritage Festival & Borders Heritage Forum Jedburgh Regional Meeting Minutes 12 th October 2015, Present: Julie Nock - Borders Heritage Festival Coordinator Andy Jepson - Borders Heritage Festival Assistant Beverley Rutherford - Floors Castle Paul Dutch - Historic Environment Scotland Absent: Susan Elliot - Sue Zacharias - Les Amis d Onno Paul Brough -

2 Julie Nock welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everyone for coming. This was followed by round-the-table introductions. Agenda item 1: Borders Heritage Festival 2015 Julie provided statistics for the festival in A full list will be circulated once all data from sites has been received. This was followed by round-the-table feedback. Andy commented that some organisations and individuals were good at picking up tweets on Twitter and re-posting them. When Historic Scotland re-posted the tweets there was a boost in the tweet impression (reach). It was pointed out, however, that Historic Scotland did not regularly re-tweet posts featuring their sites and events. 1. Paul Dutch - Explained the difficulty of re-posting via social media... o The person who normally does this is on maternity leave o The current person who is doing this has their own job to do too also suggested that he would like to have a South of Scotland page/presence for Historic Scotland - Andy thought that this was a good idea confirmed that Historic Scotland are still working on getting the visitor figures from this year s events o Julie requested that these are ready for inclusion ahead of the Main meeting that will be held in Melrose on 27 th October 2. Beverley Rutherford had not heard about the Festival until she had received Julie s invite to the Jedburgh meeting - She remarked that she had been working on 2 major events this summer so there would have been little time to focus on the Heritage Festival - Julie is the Chair of the Big Houses in the Borders: - o The Big Houses include: Floors Castle, Traquair House, Paxton House, Abbotsford House, Mellerstain House, Manderston House, Bowhill House, The Haining, Gunsgreen House and Thirlestane Castle o The group are looking at a joint event with an Architectural theme (2016 is the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design). This could, for instance, focus on tapestries and gardens o The next meeting of the Big Houses group is this month (October 2015). The group meet 3 times a year

3 o One current key focus of the group is the Edinburgh Expo to be held in April 2016 also stated that Visit Kelso were very proactive. Both Julie and Andy agreed that they have been a good re-tweeter and re-poster for the Heritage Festival on social media. Julie added that most groups focused on Visit xyz were usually very good at promoting their areas Agenda item 2: Borders Heritage Festival 2016 There was general discussion on possibilities for 2016: - - Julie o Suggested that we could look at a joint ticketing venture o She also stated that we should be looking at finalising the list of events by the end of 2015 o Beverley was very keen on joint ticketing but anticipated that Historic Scotland would have an issue with this o Although stating that the tills at sites could be adjusted to accommodate differing entrance fees & deals he confirmed that joint ticketing was a difficult area and in the past had been blocked commercially o He added that they could look at a Family Pass for the Festival o Suggested that Historic Scotland should look at the successful events they host in other regions as a template for events they could put on in the Borders. For instance; The jousting event at Linlithgow Medieval Mayhem at Caerlaverock Castle o Announced that they would again take part in the Castles, Cakes and Cashmere Tour offering visitors the opportunity of enjoying the rich cultural heritage of the Scottish Borders. This is in co-operation with Abbotsford House and Johnstons of Elgin in Hawick o Stated that reciprocal links to events on host websites is good for publicity and works well o Questioned how the Festival organisation is targeting accommodation providers for Festival-time. Beverley stated that accommodation providers are invaluable for marketing events

4 o Andy commented that a B&B/Self-catering property had asked for additional Festival brochures to give to their customers o Beverley said that she goes out to accommodation providers early in the year. Most sites get brochures in March or April and this can usually be the main supply of events for the year ahead o Beverley offered to take a flyer/leaflet for the 2016 Heritage Festival to these providers if we had something ready in time Agenda item 3: Borders Heritage Forum Julie introduced the Borders Heritage Forum. Its aim is to bring historic houses, heritage sites, national & local societies, re-enactors, historians & local community groups together. It will enable everyone to have a voice and will focus on both the built & natural heritage. The Forum will be empowered to take decisions. Comments on a Forum were made around the table: - o Asked whether the Heritage Festival/Forum ties-in to the Business Tourism Partnership o Julie commented that this was something we would want to do but we must be constituted first - Julie o Asked what the table thought of a Forum. Were delegates on board and did they think it was a good idea... o Said yes, absolutely, that is was a good idea o Said there was no reason why it should not work but added that there is always difficulty in people spending time on a venture like this o He said that Historic Scotland are trying to change the perception that they are unapproachable o He said that they would be happy to be involved in the Forum. It might be Paul himself who takes part or someone from site management Wrap-up/final comments: - o Commented that Dryburgh Abbey may be removed from the list of sites that put on Heritage Festival events because there is no cover for visitors if there is bad weather. Other sites have a visitor centre

5 o But he added that Dryburgh s events sparked the most interest during 2015! o Paul noted that Historic Scotland have a number of handling boxes but they do not appear to get used much o He thought that where a costumed character is present they get the most interest - Andy o Asked Paul and Beverley whether there are any anniversaries at their respective properties in 2016 that they could focus on/promote. Both Paul and Beverley did not think so but would check Julie concluded the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.